EDITORIAL

CLUBS LOAD UP BEFORE FINALS SERIES
(pictured) was the standout continuing his stellar early season form.
Wily veteran Jacob Gough played his fi rst game out of retirement in the reserves last weekend and is poised to try and help
salvage Morningside’s season over the next month.
Gough is one of a number of familiar faces making late-season comebacks for fi nals contenders.
Second-placed Mt Gravatt, who already boast plenty of depth, have former AFL player Will Hamill, the spring-heeled Joel
Smouha, dual premiership player Brock Turton and ruckman Ryan Head (pictured)
lurking in or near the reserves.
Hamill played his fi rst game in the twos last weekend, Turton has played a couple
back, and Smouha is reputedly a week away from a return.
Southport key defender Wayde Mills was among the best players on the ground in his
second senior game of 2011 after a long stint overseas.
Mills and full-back Kurt Niklaus will make life diffi cult for opponents over the last
month of the season as Southport look for a miracle fi nish to contest the fi nals series.
The Sharks, who have spent much of 2011 anchored to the bottom, have won their
last two matches and cannot afford to drop another game.
If they win all four matches to level their record at 9-9, they will likely see the elimination
fi nal spots decided on percentage.
They need to win every game by an average of at least 50 points if they are to boost
their percentage to be in a position to challenge.
NEAFL Football Record Issue 16 23rd - 30th July 2011 Page 5