The first full round has been completed with Redlands and Redcliffe wrapping up the top 2 positions, and the right to play for the Chairmans Flag in early June. They are tied on 12 points (1 loss each - Redlands to Arana, and Redcliffe to Redlands) with Arana in clear 3rd on 10 pts. Logan Brothers and Holy Spirit are tied for 4th on 8 pts. Aspley on 4, Souths on 2 and Wynnum on 0 are in 6th, 7th and 8th places respectively.
Arana's highlights in the first 7 games were the "come from behind" wins against Redlands and Aspley, and the hard fought victory over Logan Brothers after jumping away to a good lead, before they drew level. Given Redlands performance since, that first win was even more meritorious!!! The 2nd half display that day was probably the best display of attacking football all year. The Arana lowlight was definitely the first half display against Redcliffe (look out at Arana at the end of May!).....and I've got into enough trouble over the Holy Spirit game already, so I'll leave it at that!!! Highlights of Arana's play have been some great backline attacking raids behind rampaging runs from the forwards - it has certainly been demonstrated this year that the forwards must be able to "go forward" to win the big games.
The form of Redlands has been the surprise of the season, given they were late starters with the withdrawal of St.Josephs from the Junior A1 Comp. They picked up a number of players from Easts and Logan Brothers so that certainly helped them. Their win over Redcliffe was played with plenty of passion - the Chairman's flag game between these two sides should be a beauty!! Redcliffe have been predictably strong, particularly in the forwards, and the loss to Redlands will only fire them up further. Holy Spirit have been a little inconsistent but their last up win over Aspley was very impressive. Logan Brothers form has also been a bit "hot-and-cold" but they certainly are a good side as demonstrated in their fightbacks after slow starts against Arana and Redcliffe.
Aspley has been disappointing during the first round, with a number of new faces, but remember last year they also had a very poor start before coming home with a wet sail late in the season - they have the players to match any side (as shown by their fighting display against Redcliffe, and first half against Arana) and if they can show a little more consistency should perform better in the next round. Souths have had injury problems all year and have the potential to be a much better side once everyone is back and match fit. Wynnum will no doubt be keen to rack up a win shortly, and will remain a danger side as they do have some talented individuals.
I know I haven't seen all the games so far, but I thought I'd throw in a few of my own unofficial "BAT" awards from the games I have seen in the first round (feel free to comment on the message board):
Tries:
1. Alex F's 70+m effort against Redlands just before half-time to get Arana back into the game when they were trailing 10-0; a real game-turner.
2. Alex T's chip and recover try against Souths at Wynnum - how did he catch that? (don't think he knows....and in front of the selector's tent too!!)
3. Tim C's try from dummy half against Aspley - firstly, because he forecast it at school that day, and secondly, because of all the effort that went into organising where he would throw the ball, before he dummied and fell over the line! (you see these things when you're a touch judge!)
Hit:
Know it wasn't in Arana game, but Kevvie in the Brisbane trial match - the bells were ringing in my head on the sideline!! ..and that's not his only one this year!!
Making an easy try difficult:
Again Kevvie for his effort against Aspley - after deftly snatching a flick pass, he wasn't happy to just put it down in the in-goal area but ran in to the Aspley forward pack so that he would have to have a good wrestle to get it down (might have been lucky there wasn't a video ref Kev!!)
Best Import:
Nash - has fitted into the team like he was there since under 7s!! Welcome aboard.
Best First-timer:
Phippsy - welcome to rugby league - looking more and more like Artie Beetson every game!!
Favourite Opposition Player:
Has to be "Sumo" from Aspley - as long as he doesn't do too many 50 metre runs carrying 5 Arana players!!
Brad T - May 7 2001
