Image: TJ Yelds
Bond University and Morningside have comfortably progressed through to the second week of Bond University QAFLW finals following the weekend's elimination matches.
The Bull Sharks easily accounted for Aspley by 38 points, while the Panthers had little trouble in defeating Wilston Grange by 57 points.
Bond University capitalised on a fast start with goals to Tegan Williams, Trinity Ella and Lexi Samuels before Maddison Tallis pulled one back for the Hornets late in the term.
The second quarter was tighter with Skye White the only goal scorer to have the home side up by 22 points at the main break.
It was a similar story after half-time as the Hornets were unable to improve on the scoreboard and Bond Uni's key forward Kendra Blattman was the solitary goal kicker in the third. Then following a couple of misses earlier in the match, Millar Brosnan-Ball capped off her valuable contribution to the win, when she kicked truly at the start of the final quarter to put the result beyond doubt. The final score 6.10.(46) to 1.2.(8).
The most telling statistic was the Bull Sharks' domination of the inside 50's - 39 to 14 with 11 marks to only two in that zone.
Their key playmakers led the way - Evy Reeves 33 disposals (plus eight tackles), Shannon Nolan (26 and eight clearances), Annabelle Foat (23 and six), Tegan Williams (22) Jasmyn Davidson (21) and Kierra Zerafa enjoyed being back in the side with her 19 disposals (10 contested).
Backing up her dual record-breaking effort last week of 44 disposals with 39 effective, Ella Smith was again a standout for Aspley, this time gathering 44 possessions, 30 contested and 37 effective. Other contributors included Evie Sealey, Summer Carriage, Lauren Middleton, Eva Downie, Elizabeth Hill and Monique Corrigan.
The Hornets should be encouraged the way they finished the season, including a victory over Morningside. Around Ella Smith and others there is the nucleus of a finals outfit that should be aiming for top four next year.
The other elimination final was won in similar fashion by the Panthers after kicking three goals in the opening term while Wilston Grange remained scoreless. Both teams scored two majors in the second and still a 23-point margin at half-time.
As much as the Gorillas tried, the finals experience of the home team was the difference, and Morningside finished the match off in style booting four goals in the last quarter to win 11.11.(77) to 3.2.(20).
Laura Roy stamped her return to the side with two goals and 18 disposals operating within the forward 50m arc, Courtney McDonnell again amongst the goals with two and Raffael Baviello chimed in with a brace as well. Stella Scott, Bella Levine, Kaitlyn Day and Zoe Petrides all with 20 possessions or more as the Panthers illustrated their variety of scoring power and slick ball movement with eight individual goal kickers and a true team performance.
Tshinta Kendall kicked two of the Gorillas three goals with the lively Summer Hamilton the other goal scorer from her 16 disposals. Some of the better players included Keleejay Bingham, Hayley Finning, Abbey Crowe, Layla Collins, Mackenzie Findlay and Rhani Dodd. Nelly Anu and Ella Smith slightly had the better of Panthers pair Ella Gibson and Georgia Lwin in the hit outs.
This is the second successive year Wilston Grange have fallen at the first finals hurdle with their usual scoring prowess drying up at the wrong end of the season – this wasn’t helped when Zimmorlei Farqhharson left the ground with a knee injury. They finished with four consecutive losses against some quality defence and no doubt another learning curve in their pursuit of another premiership.
The Bond University QAFLW qualifying & semi-finals will take place next Saturday. Bond University host Morningside to see who will progress to the preliminary final.
The winner will play the loser of the qualifying final between Southport and Coorparoo which will be played at Fankhauser Reserve. The winner of the Sharks and Kings goes straight through to the Grand Final pole position.