Bond University and Coorparoo will meet in a semi-final next week after they defeated their respective opponents in elimination finals on Saturday.
Bond were far too strong for Aspley at Bond University Oval as they stamped their authority in the first half to open a match winning 32-point break at half time.
The Bull Sharks continued that momentum after the break kicking eight goals to three to run out comfortable winners by 66 points 14.9.(93) to 4.3.(27).
Kendra Blattman was unstoppable booting five goals including - three in the final quarter - Brianna Moyes chimed in with four and Isabella Iverach two. Bond simply had winners all over the ground with Shannon Nolan (28 disposals), Ella Calleja, Jasmyn Davidson in defence and the handy ruck work of Maisy Evans who also collected 26 possessions.
The Bull Sharks maintained their winning streak over the Hornets in finals which began with the 2023 Grand Final, last year’s Preliminary final and now this year’s eliminator.
Aspley will naturally be disappointed in closing out their season in that fashion but met a team who are gaining momentum at the right time. Despite a height advantage and a potent attack, the Hornets could not keep up with the home team and were completely outplayed after quarter-time.
Kaitlyn Day kicked two goals among her 16 disposals and one goal apiece to Jesse Mcmillan and Jess Stallard who fell one short in becoming the 11th player to kick 100 career goals in QAFLW. Monique Dufty just got the better of the hit outs against Evans with help from Monique Corrigan and Anna van de Wiel was one of the Hornets best. However, the key playmakers for Bond kept driving the ball inside 50 providing Blattman and Moyes numerous scoring opportunities.
The other Elimination Final at Giffin Park started after the Gold Coast clash and a devastating five-goal burst under the lights in the premiership third quarter saw Coorparoo defeat a gallant Wilston Grange by 20 points 6.3.(39) to 3.1.(19).
It was a goal apiece in an even first term before the Gorillas capitalised on some quality attack and kept the home team to just one behind in the second term. Kaiya Hides was the benefactor of a 50-metre penalty possibly due to dissent and she followed up minutes later with another to give her team a nine-point break at the half-time.
Then in a similar scenario when they met in round two Coorparoo turned the game on its head in the third term with five straight goals. Jasmine Fretwell started the ball rolling with a sensational snap from the forward pocket. Minutes later their leading goalkicker Chelsea Chesterfield snuck one through from long range.
Chesterfield was involved again winning a free kick and her long shot to goal was marked in the square by Chloe Haines who duly converted. Haines made it two in a row from the goal line when she plucked the ball off the pack after a strong mark and kick by talented youngster Indie Scheffeler.
Chesterfield completed the five-goal onslaught by pulling down another strong mark in the goal square and joining Haines with two majors for the quarter.
The margin was out to 21 points at the last change and despite numerous efforts the Grange could only add a behind in the final term as the Kings controlled the contest.
Tilayna Nissen took on the responsibility of the ruck as Renee Teys did miss this match in the end. Chelsea Win and Luch Schneider had plenty of the ball along with Roberts-White. Meg Muir was able to put the Kings on the board in the first quarter while the Fetahagic sisters Ayla and Zina were solid contributors as per usual.
Wilston Grange can be proud of making their first finals appearance in seven years and it was just one quarter that cost them. They have a nucleus of a team that looks set to be in finals contention in years to come with players such as Tshinta Kendall Keyshia Matenga, captain Mackenzie Findlay, Hayley Finning to name a few and young Mia Geere who lit up Giffin Park at times with her run and carry off the backline.
Therefore, next Saturday in the Qualifying Final the top two Southport and Morningside will meet in a blockbuster at Fankhauser Reserve (2pm) with the winner straight through to the Grand Final.
The second match starting at 4-45pm at Bond University in a semi-final will see Bond hosting Coorparoo. The season will be over for the loser while the winner will play the loser of the Qualifying Final.
