Aspley Hornets and Redland-Victoria Point Sharks Set for QAFL Grand Final Showdown

An epic QAFL Grand Final between reigning premiers Aspley Hornets and Redland-Victoria Point Sharks will take place this Saturday at Coorparoo’s Giffin Park.

Aspley Hornets seeking back-to-back flags

Lions academy product Liam Dawson is one of the three Hornets named in the 2023 QAFL Team of the Year, together with Connor Stackelberg and Will Wolbers.
Photo Credit: Facebook/Aspley Hornets FC

The Aspley Hornets (15-2-1) claimed the minor premiership this season and have dominated the competition all year. They will be aiming for back-to-back finals after beating Broadbeach last season’s decider.

In the 2022 grand final, Aspley were underdogs against minor premiers and unbeaten Broadbeach, but came out on top in stunning fashion.

This time around, the Hornets will be favourites as minor premiers. Aspley co-captain Brandon Batchelor says reaching back-to-back grand finals is “a pretty surreal feeling” and the team is determined to get the job done on Saturday.

The Hornets had a week off after finishing top of the ladder. Batchelor said the team had used the time to prepare for the ultimate competition rather than rest.

“We’ve always been pretty tough on the boys in saying that it’s not a time to rest, it’s time to get us ready to play in a big game,” he stated.

Redland-Victoria Point Sharks hunting maiden flag

Matt Hamelmman made history as the thirteenth player in Queensland men’s football history to score more than a hundred goals in a season. *He was selected in the 2023 QAFL Team of the Year along with teammates Adrian Williams, Caleb Franks and Brock Aston.*
*Photo Credit: Facebook/*Redland-Victoria Point Sharks Football Club

Redland-Victoria Point Sharks (14-4) qualified for the QAFL Grand Final after defeating Wilston Grange in last weekend’s preliminary final.

Sharks co-captain Mitchell Stallard believes his side can cause an upset against the Hornets with a strong team performance. Redland-Victoria Point have not registered a win against Aspley in their three meetings this year. They also went out in last year’s preliminary final against the Hornets.

“Team footy is going to win it, and that’s probably why they’re the benchmark ,” Stallard said. “They all work together.”

Star forward Matt Hamelmman will be a key figure for the Sharks. Hamelmman booted 7 goals in the preliminary final win and has kicked 101 goals this season.

Don’t miss a minute of the QAFL Seniors Grand Final action between the Aspley Hornets and Redland-Victoria Point Sharks. Kick-off is at 2:30 p.m. at Giffin Park. Watch online for free via the official AFL Queensland YouTube channel or experience the atmosphere firsthand with tickets available at the gate.

Can the Hornets make it two in a row? Or will the Sharks stun them and claim their first flag? Tune in on Saturday to find out.

Published 13 September 2023