A return to finals action will likely still elude the Redland Bombers in 2017, but that won’t stop the team from shaking up the top six according to coach Leigh Harding after his side’s 43-point win over Aspley at Tidbold Park on Saturday.
While admitting a return to post-season action was out of the question for a third straight season, Harding remaining adamant his side would “give it a crack” in shaping the top six in a more unorthodox fashion - starting with the 16.9 (105) to 9.8 (62) victory over their local rivals.
Harding’s fourth win at the helm of the Bombers was perhaps his most impressive to date, leading for the entire duration of the match and restricting the Hornets to go without a goal until the 14th minute of the second term.
Redland’s win was well set up in the opening quarter with a five-goal haul creating an ideal buffer, while Aspley could muster only four behinds with two further shots sent out of bounds.
The Hornets would rescind the Bombers’ lead through the middle half of the game, even bringing the margin to within 18-points in the third, as they kicked five of seven goals booted either side of half-time.
Adrian Williams helped steady the ship for Redland, collecting nine crucial disposals in the final term, mopping up everything in defence.
And much like their opening act, Redland added five more majors in the final, finally breaking their hoodoo over their Brisbane counterparts.
When Peter Yagmoor snuck around Aaron Christensen to produce a trademark goal from beyond the 50 metre arc with 10 minutes to play, the result was all but confirmed, sending the ardent faithful at Tidbold Park into jubilation.
Space around the stoppages came at an absolute premium for both teams but despite losing both the clearances and disposal figures, Redland were the side prepared to spread which was the catalyst for their stirring victory.
