TEN goals from forward spearhead Matt Hammelmann has propelled the Redland-Victoria Point Sharks to their fifth consecutive win to start the 2023 QAFL season.
Hammelmann kicked two goals in each quarter of the game before botting four in the final stanza to guide the Sharks to a 58-point win over Sherwood in Brisbane’s west.
The win against the Magpies has kept the Sharks atop the QAFL ladder, having won each of their first five games by an average winning margin of 45 points.
Hammelmann, now in his fourth full season at the club across two stints either side of the COVID-19 pandemic, was yet to kick a bag this season until exploding against Sherwood.
The forward booted hauls of six, four, three and three in the opening four games before kicking 10 against Sherwood – the third time in the past year where he has reached double digits in a game.
Redland-Victoria Point’s win over Sherwood was made even sweeter with contributions from Jake Chapman, Alex Pope, Callum Banim and Harrison Kemp, who all made their senior debut in round 5. The quartet were among a fleet of changes to the undefeated lineup but were able to play their role, all finding their way onto the goal kickers’ list.
In the midfield, Brock Aston continued his strong start to the season as one of the QAFL’s premier ball winners, notching another 43 disposals.
The Sharks kicked away early with the first two goals through Hammelmann and Banim before the Magpies fought their way back to take the quarter, leading by three-points at the first break.
The Sharks hit back with six goals to three in the second term to retake the lead when the two sides departed for the sheds by 13-points.
Another five goals in the third pushed the lead out to 29 at three-quarter time before the Sharks continued to pile four goals to none in the final term.
