Carseldine Opens, Taringa vs Stafford Exhibition Match

Yesterday, we celebrated the opening of the brand new sporting complex as part of the Carseldine Village Community Day.

We were the first to step out onto the fields boasting a handful of representative players from 2019 to feature in the Taringa verse Stafford exhibition match.

With plenty of the public and a number of users groups in attendance, some of Kick It’s best put on a show.

The $6.5million sport and recreation facility, features two full-sized football fields, a junior grassed field, cricket nets, tennis/basket courts, change rooms, toilets and a state of the arc playground, surrounded by over 200 car parks.

Primary users Aspley Rugby League, Bridgman Baptist Football Club and Sandgate Cricket Club all hosted their own events in a remarkable display of community unity.

Smaller groups such as the Brisbane Heat, Back Yourself Fitness, Ridgettes Netball and Matchpoint Tennis also added to the tremendous event feel.

A special thanks to GYG Chermside who have jumped on board with our Carseldine and Stafford venues for the remainder of 2020. Each Kick It player who took the field on Saturday received a GYG voucher.

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Taringa vs Stafford

Not since the early 2010s have we put the best of each venue against each other in an exhibition match.

Branded the Super Grand Final in 2010, we hosted a match between the mixed champions of both Taringa and North Brisbane.

This match had a similar same feel.

With many players participating at both venues, there was some added motivation for individuals to perform.

Some faced-paced end to end footy opened the game with plenty of rucking as each team looked to grab the ascendancy early.

Stafford put points up first with a trademark show and go by Jai Lockrey who sent David Cumming over with a pin-point long ball above two defenders.

The same man would feature shortly after as a goal-line movement found numbers out wide with Dan Ebert throwing the last pass to a driving Lockery.

Lockrey crossed for his second try two sets later with a short grubber catching out a few middle defenders.

A series of poor kicks from Taringa gifted their opponent ideal field position inside their own half.

Ballerz’ combo Jess Sleep and Ben Hayes combined next with a perfect dump and split on the goal line to cross in the corner.

Matthew Allen extended his side’s lead to 6-0 after backing up Caleb Holland who busted through some sluggish  defence.

Taringa’s own John Kerr got his side on the board slicing through some retreating goal line defence moments before half time.

Kerr would double his tally early into the second half with a grubber from the wing to score.

Stafford responded minutes later through a David Cumming line break who passed off to Chloe Storm for a two point girl try.

With the momentum and field possession firmly in Stafford’s favour, it took a special play from John Kerr who intercepted Clint Wicks and raced away for his third try of the match.

Stafford would march back up the field on their next set and extend their lead to 9-3 off the boot of Ben Hayes.

A miss-kick from Ben Walker landed in the hands of Matthew Allen to streak away for his second try.

Taringa pairing Jake Harding and Antony Tatkovic linked up with a deft short kick. ‘Kicking in danger’ by the defender at the point of the grounding resulted in a rare penalty try.

Repeat sets on the goal-line enabled Stafford to extend their lead to 11-4 with a crisp ruck and split from Matthew Allen to David Cumming.

A perfect cross kick from John Kerr beat some shooting outside defence for Antony Tatkovic to stroll over for his second try.

The points kept coming as Jess Sleep put in a neat grubber for Jai Lockrey to pounce on and notch up his hat-trick.

A Thurston-esque show and go by Dan Ebert helped David Cumming to his third try of the match and sealed the famous 13-5 victory.

A big think you to all the players who came out for the exhibition match.

Individual Stats
Stafford (tries): Jai Lockrey (3), David Cumming (3), Matthew Allen (2), Jess Sleep, Chloe Storm, Ben Hayes
Stafford (assists): Dan Ebert (2), Jai Lockrey, David Cumming, Ben Hayes, Matthew Allen, Jess Sleep

Taringa (tries): John Kerr (3), Antony Tatkovic (2)
Taringa (assists): Jake Harding, John Kerr

Carseldine returns Monday, February 24th.
Mens and mixed team registrations are now open.
Visit the Carseldine venue page for full competition details
Sign up now!