BOND UNIVERSITY (3RD) V ASPLEY (6TH) 2PM BOND UNIVERSITY OVAL 1
Since consecutive losses in rounds 12 and 13 Bond University have finished strongly to clinch third spot and are ready to launch another assault on the premiership they last won in 2023. In fact, this is the third year in a row these two have met in the finals: 2023 Grand Final and 2024 Preliminary Final with Bond winning both times. The latter was a thriller with the result only four points.
The Bull Sharks have continued that winning form over the Hornets this season with victories in round five (16 points at Aspley) and round 14 (35 points at home). Bond leads head-to-head record 13-3 and at Bond Uni Oval (nicknamed "The Canal"), it's 5-2 to the home team.
Aspley finished their season with three less wins than their opposition but a crucial win over higher placed Coorparoo two weeks ago saw them secure sixth place ahead of University of Queensland.
No doubt the Hornets are looking to turn their recent form around against the Bull Sharks and avenge those recent losses. Maybe they can look to a height advantage in the ruck and around the ground.
Monique Dufty, Emma MacDonald, Peppa Poultney and Monique Corrigan are all over 180cm and have shared the hit-out duties with Dufty leading the way with 328.
That quartet will be aiming to nullify the effect of the Bull Sharks gun duo in Maisy Evans (185cm) and Kendra Blattman who have combined for 426 hit outs with the latter so dangerous around the big sticks being the competition’s leading goalkicker with 40. Aspley defender Anna van de Wiel who kept Coorparoo spearhead Chelsea Chesterfield quiet recently will be asked again to help restrict the influence of Blattman.
The Hornets have lively forwards too in Jess Stallard (22 goals) State rep Kaitlyn Day and in form Rachel Vetter. Stallard requires just two majors to become the 11th player to reach 100 goals in QAFLW.
The midfield battle as always will hold plenty of interest with Day prominent again, together with Jesse McMillan, Lucia Liessi, Holly O Flaherty and Emma Pitman.
Bond University skipper Shannon Nolan has had an outstanding year leading the competition with 428 possessions (238 contested) with plenty of support - aside from those mentioned previously - from Lexi Samuels, Ella Calleja, Grace Moodie, Evy Reeves and Sunny Hewett. While another state player Jasmyn Davidson has been rock solid in defence.
This should be an entertaining final with both teams willing to take the game on with plenty of passing and using the full width of the field.
A special mention to the coaches too. Both Andy Lovell (Bond) and Luke Glacken (Aspley) will coach their 50th QAFLW match on Saturday. The two began in 2023 and are the most successful coaches for their respective clubs.
COORPAROO (4TH) V WILSTON GRANGE (5TH) 4-45PM GIFFIN PARK
Coorparoo avoided meeting recent conqueror Aspley by slipping to fourth after last week’s loss to Bond. It meant an appointment with Wilston Grange who are back in finals contention after seven years and will be itching to repeat that effort by reaching the Grand Final in 2018 which was also against the Kings.
Coorparoo leads the head-to-head 19-7 and at Giffin Park it is 8-2 with the Grange’s last win there round two 2018. Ironically it was round two at Hickey Park earlier this year the previous occasion they met with the Kings prevailing by 13 points, courtesy of kicking 3.4 to 1.2 in the second half.
However, in huge selection news, it looks like Coorparoo will be missing one of the competitions best not only in the ruck but also around the ground in Renee Teys. In an interesting move she has been named as an emergency so is there an injury doubt? Teys leads the competition with 382 hit outs, has collected 180 disposals and achieved almost 72% kicking efficiency.
If Teys is absent, it maybe up to Tilayna Nissen to fill that role and have key playmakers Grace Roberts-White, Lucy Schneider, Ayla Fetahagic and Chelsea Winn in support. The Kings have scoring power up forward too, in Chelsea Chesterfield (third on goalkicking list with 30) and the youngsters Indi Scheffler and Edie Fraser to apply the scoreboard pressure. The latter pair showing they can handle the big time when part of the recent memorable home win over previously undefeated Southport.
Despite a heavy loss to Southport two weeks ago, Wilston Grange will head into this clash with plenty of confidence after a gritty win over UQ last week and a crucial victory over Bond in round 13. The Gorillas have finals experience with players at previous clubs. Kadie Fletcher won a Grand final with UQ in 2022, Kylie Welsh won premierships with Surfers Paradise and Yeronga, while Keyshia Matenga in 2020 played in Coolangatta’s losing grand final side.
Other players to look out for include the ruck pairing of Ella Smith and Hayley Finning who can play at both ends of the ground and should benefit from Teys (proposed) absence. Midfielders, Siobhan Senior, Summer Hamilton, Annie Wallace to name a few, the dangerous Tshinta Kendall and Naomi Celebre up forward while Grace Osborne and young Mia Geere can provide drive off the backline.
Captain Mackenzie Findlay will lead the Gorillas in her first final playing her 91st QAFLW match.
An intriguing contest awaits with Coorparoo’s solid form and potent attack against an improving Wilston Grange outfit ready to play finals football again.
The winners of both elimination finals will meet next week as will the top two Southport and Morningside who have this weekend off and will be watching on with interest.