Wilston Grange will be out to prove that their upset victory over Aspley was no fluke when they resume their spicy rivalry with Coorparoo in the Bond University QAFLW Round 2 Feature Match.
The Gorillas and Kings finished level on points in 2024 with a narrow advantage on percentage putting the navy blues into the finals.
While recent contests have been notably physical, both teams won their opening round matches with a hard running style of play that, if replicated, could produce the most open match between these sides in years.
Wilston Grange is unchanged from the side that upset Aspley, while Coorparoo has made three changes, two of them forced by injuries to Chloe Haines and Alyssa Wedding during the win over Maroochydore. Yeronga recruit Abi Lunson has been named on the wing, Victoria Point junior Jessica Riley makes her senior debut at half-forward, and Zina Fetahagić returns for her first QAFLW match since 2022 via the bench.
The battle between Wilston Grange’s forward line and the Coorparoo defence will be fascinating. The Kings defenders have size on their side with the likes of Ajla Fetahagić, Emily Bleney and Jasmine Fretwell now joined by Madi Goodwin and Kloe McElhinney.
Time will tell if that’s the correct strategy to employ against the speed and trickery of Tshinta Kendall, Taneka Dhadlie, Naomi Celebre, Annie Wallace and last year’s Team of the Year ‘smokie’ Summer Hamilton, whose speed in the first five metres from a standing start is even sharper than before.
Emily Harding played in the forwards for Coorparoo last week after spending last year down back, but she may be sent back to the trenches if the smaller Grange forwards start enjoying themselves too much.
The midfield battle of the Graces, Osborne for Grange and Roberts-White for Coorparoo, may profoundly affect the result. Roberts-White was her usual running passing self against Maroochydore, while Osborne was everywhere against Aspley completing the rare double of 20 disposals and 10 tackles in a match.
Also watch behind the contest for Siobhan Senior of Grange and Charlotte Millen of Coorparoo. Both were adroit at switching the play and finding wide runners last week while never neglecting their defensive duties.
The Gorillas back five will need to negate the tall threats presented by new Kings Tilayna Nissen and, assuming she again moves forward early in the match, McElhinney.
The most natural match-ups are provided by Hayley Finning and Jacinta Ens while Grace O’Donnell’s contested marking in 2024 was a thing of beauty. Finding the correct balance will be important because any crumbs provided by Nissen and McElhinney could become a three-course meal for smaller forwards Chelsea Chesterfield and Amy Dwyer.
The last five matches between Wilston Grange and Coorparoo have been won by the home team. That may be a factor again given that the Bond University QAFLW match will be the fourth of five matches between the two clubs across men’s and women’s competitions on Saturday.
If the Gorillas can bring the crowd into the match early, they may be able to build some serious momentum. Conversely, if Coorparoo can convince the Grange fans that there will be no joy for them, it could lead them to a key victory away from home.
In other Round 2 matches, Yeronga and UQ will each seek their first win of the season, Southport play their first home game as premiers when they host Maroochydore, while things get real for the two competition newcomers as Moreton Bay travel to Bond University and Morningside host Aspley.
WILSTON GRANGE v COORPAROO
Saturday 12 April 2025, 4:45pm at Hickey Park, Stafford
Live stream with commentary via AFLQ
Head-to-head: Played 25 - Coorparoo won 18; Wilston Grange won 7
Head-to-head at Hickey Park: Played 11 - Coorparoo won 7; Wilston Grange won 4
Last time they met: 8 Jun 2024 (Round 8) - Coorparoo 6.4 (40) d Wilston Grange 2.4 (16) at Giffin Park.
YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE v UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Saturday 12 April 2025, 1:00pm at Leyshon Park No. 2, Yeronga
Live stream via AFLQ
Head-to-head: Played 28 - Yeronga won 17; Uni of Qld won 10; drawn 1
Head-to-head at Leyshon Park No. 2: Played 4 - Yeronga won 4
Last time they met: 20 Jul 2024 (Round 13) - University of Qld 5.14 (44) d Yeronga SB 2.3 (15) at Leyshon Park.
SOUTHPORT v MAROOCHYDORE
Saturday 12 April 2025, 2:00pm at Fankhauser Reserve, Southport
Live stream via AFLQ
Head-to-head: Played 7 - Southport won 6; Maroochydore won 1
Head-to-head at Fankhauser Reserve: Played 3 - Southport won 2; Maroochydore won 1
Last time they met: 13 Jul 2024 (Round 12) - Southport 4.6 (30) d Maroochydore 1.3 (9) at South Pine Sports Complex.
BOND UNIVERSITY v MORETON BAY
Saturday 12 April 2025, 3:00pm at Bond University Oval, Robina
Live stream via AFLQ
Head-to-head: first meeting
MORNINGSIDE v ASPLEY
Saturday 12 April 2025, 4:30pm at Jack Esplen Oval, Morningside
Live stream via AFLQ
Head-to-head: first meeting
You can watch all matches in the Bond University QAFLW by visiting the AFL Queensland YouTube channel.