Tigers rover logs record appearance
LOCAL derbies do not come much bigger than today when Gold Coast rivals Broadbeach and Labrador lock horns in a major QAFL fixture.
For starters, there is the occasion of Labrador’s champion Todd Featherstone in his 200th game for the yellow and blacks.
That personal milestone comes on the same day that Ord Minnett Oval (Merrimac Oval) will be rocking with the Cats staging a 20-year reunion of their triple premiership sides from 1996.
Then there is a mini-bogy of sorts that Labrador need to smash if they are to have a chance at the minor premiership.
The last time Labrador beat Broadbeach at Merrimac was in 2010, when Featherstone played in a team that went on to make the grand final.
“But we haven’t beaten Broadbeach there since then,” Featherstone said.
Broadbeach coach Brett Andrews applauded the little rover on his pending milestone but hopes the Merrimac jinx will go on.
“He has been a great player for Labrador for a long time,” Andrews said.
“I watched the grand final last year and to see him kick the goal that put the Tigers in front was fantastic.
“So congratulations to him but I hope we can spoil his party because no doubt he will want to spoil ours.”
That Broadbeach party involves players, officials and supporters from 1996 when the Cats won GCAFL flags in seniors, reserves and colts.
By coincidence, Broadbeach beat Labrador in the seniors grand final of 1996 – winning by 44 points at Merrimac Oval.
The Tigers were coached by Col Bourke, who is still with the club as team manager.
Andrews was in the Broadbeach side coached by Jason Cotter.
In other QAFL matches today, Palm Beach-Currumbin will be without key pair Jarryd Douglas and Daniel Grant for their match against Wilston-Grange at Hickey Park in Brisbane.
In another match on the Coast today, Surfers Paradise host Mt Gravatt at Sir Bruce Small park and have to win to keep their finals chances alive.