WILSTON GRANGE (5th) V BOND UNIVERSITY (4th) 4.45PM HICKEY PARK
Two weeks ago, Wilston Grange were able to defeat a close ladder rival in Aspley at home and here they are aiming to do the same. The win over the Hornets was significant as following a comfortable win last week and Bond University’s loss to Southport, the Gorillas are now only one game behind Saturday’s rivals.
Meanwhile Bond would be wondering what went wrong last week after half-time. The margin was less than a goal, but the Sharks tore the Bull Sharks apart in the second half so they will hope there were a few valuable lessons learnt in readiness for this week.
It was tight contest between these two teams in Round Seven where Bond prevailed by 11 points at home and the Gorillas will be counting on Hickey Park providing an added edge in this clash. With Mia Geere, ex-Bull shark Tshinta Kendall, Keyshia Matenga, Mackenzie Findlay and Grace Osborne in sterling form, the Gorillas have built a core group that is less reliant on individuals and able to challenge the top end of the competition. Similarly, Shannon Nolan and Maisy Evans have been standouts at Bond this season and with Kendra Blattman kicking goals, this should be a delicious match-up.
SOUTHPORT (1st) V ASPLEY (6th) 2.00PM FANKHAUSER RESERVE
Aspley have the unenviable task of taking on unbeaten Southport on the Gold Coast to stay in touch with the top five. While that match two weeks ago was valuable for the Gorillas it was very costly one for the Hornets as a loss here will leave them two games behind fifth place. However, nostalgia does have a place in football and it was only two short seasons ago when the Hornets travelled to Fankhauser as underdogs for a Preliminary Final, and got the job done!
This will be an opportunity for the visitors to throw everything to the wind and see what impression they can make on the powerhouse at home. The previous meeting in round three at Graham Road, the Sharks jumped out to a handy lead and were never threatened. Olivia Meagher was damaging in front of goal and kicked six and Caitlin Miller four. Adding young guns Lappin, Davies, Baron and Ingram to seasoned performers Gregory, O’Brien, Zerafa and Schipp, and the task will be mountainous.
Queensland State representative and Hornets playmaker Kaitlyn Day kicked two that day back in April but here must oppose many of her state teammates who played in the success over Tasmania. Day will know a huge effort is required form her clubmates to be any chance of an upset. Liessi, Stallard, Bryant & Vetter have been to the final weekend of the season before so understand what is required.
In the remaining matches, University of Queensland’s hope of playing finals hangs by a thread following three successive losses. However, there are still four games remaining and anything is possible. The Red Lionesses need to bounce back and can stay in contention with a win over Maroochydore on the UQ playing fields at 3.45pm on Saturday.
Morningside (2nd) and Coorparoo (3rd) will be looking to strengthen their positions in the top four when they host Moreton Bay and Yeronga South Brisbane respectively.
