Photo by Highflyer Images
Wilston Grange has moved into the top four after displacing Bond University in their crucial clash on Saturday. The three teams though above them, Southport, Morningside and Coorparoo had decisive victories while University of Queensland stay alive in the finals race. They are the headlines from Bond University QAFLW Round 13.
It was possibly an early elimination final when it was fourth v fifth at Hickey Park and it was the home team Wilston Grange that clinched a vital win with a dominant second half to leap above Bond on percentage.
A goalless opening term livened up in the second with the Gorillas scoring three goals to two and took a nine-point lead at the main break.
The Bull Sharks struck early in the third when leading goalkicker Kendra Blattman scored her second goal and the margin was only three points. But like last week against Southport, Bond will be wondering about another fadeout as they were held scoreless for the remainder of the match.
Wilston Grange piled on 11 unanswered scoring shots (4.7) to run out winners by 34 points 7.11.(53) to 3.1.(19). They peppered the goals with four straight behinds before Tshinta Kendall finally found the big sticks with her third for the game. Naomi Celebre then entered the fray with two goals at the end of the third term and Grace Osborne kicked the only goal of the final quarter to put the icing on the cake.
Aside from ex-Bull Shark Kendall’s scoring efforts, Keyshia Matenga led the disposals count with 20 while Kaiya Hides and Hayley Finning gathered 18 each.
The Gorillas with their 33 inside 50’s capitalised on the Bull Sharks errors (21 clangers to only five) but the visitors did lay 50 tackles in trying to apply some pressure. Grace Moodie had 23 possessions for Bond, Shannon Nolan (19) busy as usual with Lexi Samuels. Maisy Evans combined with Blattman to win the hit outs while Jasmyn Davidson battled hard in defence.
The result means both teams are now on 32 points with Wilston Grange now ahead by five percent.
University of Queensland remain alive in the finals race disposing of Maroochydore 6.10 (46) to 1.1. (7). Following three successive losses the Red Lionesses regained their winning form and overwhelmed the Roos with 111 handballs to 37 and 46 inside 50’s to 13.
Harriet Knijff 22 disposals and 14 tackles and Eva Sartor (19 and 13) showing the way for UQ with Freya Ross (23 and 9) while Monique Piunti and Edie McCabe kicked two goals each.
Roxy Beuzeville, Sophie Schulze and Abbey Tognazzini with a team high 14 tackles among the best for the Roos.
Any hopes of Aspley improving from their sixth position on the ladder were dented by the Southport juggernaut to the tune of 125 points at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday. The loss means the Hornets are only one game ahead but now behind on percentage from UQ despite defeating the Red Lionesses a week ago.
The Sharks amassed 401 disposals (Kierra Zerafa 40, Sunny Lappin 31) and dominated just about every major statistic. Dekota Baron booted five goals and three each to Olivia Meagher and Caitlin Miller.
It was a similar story in the two remaining matches where Coorparoo and Morningside were just too powerful for Yeronga South Brisbane and Moreton Bay respectively.
There are now only three rounds remaining in the Bond University QAFLW, but there are a couple of key match-ups next week when the Kings (3rd) host unbeaten Southport and Bond University (5th) are at home to Aspley (6th).