Photo by Highflyer Images
Southport have suffered their first Bond QAFLW loss since March last year and in the process missed out equalling the QAFLW record of 27 consecutive wins. In horrendously wet conditions at Giffin Park and being played after the men’s QAFL match, Coorparoo outlasted the Sharks by eight points after only three goals were scored in the entire match – 2.5.(17) to 1.3.(9)
The Kings managed to kick an early goal through Tilayna Nissen and restricted the powerful Sharks outfit to a rare goalless first half until the final quarter when Kierra Zerafa broke free from a tackle and finally put their first goal on the board.
The margin was only three points when the ball travelled down to the Coorparoo end where leading goalkicker Chelsea Chesterfield received a free kick for high contact. She duly converted to the cheers of the home supporters, and the victory was assured as the visitors were unable to peg the margin back.
Southport were generally unable to handle the conditions in supplying the ball close enough to goal to score while the Kings kept up the pressure for the entire four quarters.
Coorparoo rightfully celebrated wildly when the siren sounded whilst the Sharks players immediately looked for answers. Words were exchanged at the end but it soon settled down and it was handshakes all round.
It was a crucial win by the Kings as they maintained their third position on the ladder and one win ahead of Wilston Grange and Bond University who both recorded solid victories.
Bond broke away from Aspley after half-time in their match to win by 35 points 7.6 (48) to 2.1.(13). The Bull Sharks kicked 4.3 after the main break while the Hornets were held goalless after a fairly even effort in the first half.
Following successive losses to Southport and Wilston Grange, Bond were glad to be back at home and on the winners list to remain in top four contention.
Aspley still hold sixth place but any hopes of a top four have been dashed and will now battle it out with University of Queensland for that crucial spot over the remaining two rounds.
UQ missed an opportunity to jump into that sixth place and cause an upset themselves when they suffered a five-point loss to second-placed Morningside at an absolutely waterlogged Jack Esplen Oval 2.3.(15) to 1.4.(10)
Scores were at a premium as both teams battled the brutal conditions, but the Panthers adapted better in the second term to kick their only two goals for the match in ten minutes. Courtney McDonnell broke the drought before Georgia Hewett chased down a kick to an open forward line and in soccer style kicked the ball through, but after that success they failed to trouble the scoreboard.
UQ kicked the only scores in the second half including three behinds in the third quarter. The controversial moment occurring in the forward pocket late in the term when Monique Piunti was given a holding-the-ball free kick but was slung away afterwards. Then another scuffle broke out which brought her to the top of the goal square but she could only manage a point.
In the final quarter there were just about more puddles on the ground than you could see turf and the Red Lionesses were able to force the ball forward. At the 11-minute mark Piunti redeemed herself as she followed her own kick forward to the goal square and in the ensuing scramble snapped truly to kick UQ’s only goal.
The margin was five points and it remained that way for the rest of the term as the Panthers held on in front of a boisterous crowd that applauded a great contest in such dire conditions.
As mentioned earlier, Wilston Grange held on to fourth place on the ladder after a percentage boosting win over Moreton Bay. The Gorillas are on the same 36 points as Bond University in fifth and have a 23 percent advantage, but their finals test will come next week when they travel to the Gold Coast to take on a wounded Southport.
In the remaining match of Bond QAFLW Round 14, Maroochydore completed the double over Yeronga South Brisbane with a convincing 51-point victory at Neil Upton Oval.
Jaspar Jordan and Olivia Waldron both managed two goals and Abbey Rankin one for the Roos.
Only two rounds remain and aside from the Southport/Wilston Grange match, another crucial clash next week will see Aspley host Coorparoo.