Photo by Brooke Sleep
The last round of Bond University QAFLW is upon us and final ladder positions will be determined by Saturday night. Matches will start at 4-45pm with the exception of Moreton Bay v Southport which will begin at 3-45pm.
COORPAROO (2nd) v WILSTON GRANGE (5th) 4-45pm Giffin Park
This is the fixture that could have the most significant ramifications for the topflight.
Simply, if Coorparoo win they will remain second (even if Southport lose) as their percentage is far inferior and the Gorillas will remain fifth on percentage.
However, if Wilston Grange were to win there are a couple of other scenarios that could come into play:
- Wilston Grange win, Coorparoo lose, Bond University AND Morningside win:
Bond to second, Kings drop to third, Panthers stay fourth, Gorillas stay fifth
- WG win, Coorparoo lose, Bond Uni win BUT Panthers lose: Bull Sharks to second, Kings drop to third, Gorillas to fourth, Morningside drop to fifth.
- If Kings, Bond Uni and Panthers all win – their current top four positions remain unchanged.
Coorparoo and Wilston Grange played a thriller in round eight when the Kings scraped home by a solitary point. The Gorillas started well on home turf at Hickey Park that day with three goals on the board in the first quarter. However, that is where the goals stopped only adding two more behinds, while Coorparoo clawed their way back and a Lucy Schneider six-pointer in the final quarter clinched the victory.
The Kings have a terrific home record this season losing only to Morningside in round 12 and will be aiming to defend the Giffin Park fortress to seal that second spot. They have made hard work recently of overcoming lesser opposition away, coming from behind to defeat Maroochydore (R13) and University of Queensland last week.
Senior players Ayla Fetahagic, Grace Roberts-White and Chelsea Chesterfield have helped steer them home with Grace Osborne, Dakota Villiva and Renee Teys in the ruck. Sarah Perkins returns this week to strengthen the Kings forward line.
As mentioned previously, apart from a big win in Round 12, the form of Wilston Grange from June to the present is a bit of a query. There have been consecutive losses to Morningside then the improving Aspley last week as well the top two - Coorparoo (R8) and Southport (R10). The Gorillas also struggled to beat teams below them such as Broadbeach and University of Queensland - taking until the last quarter to edge in front.
This is despite containing players the calibre of Zimmorlei Farquharson, Tshinta Kendall, Mackenzie Findlay, Summer Hamilton, Naomi Celebre, Zimra Hussain, Keyshia Matenga and others who are capable of plenty of scoring power and possessions. Ella Smith's battle in the ruck against Teys will be fascinating to watch.
A fitting fixture as a pre-cursor to the finals where both teams will be desperate for the four points.
BROADBEACH (6th) v BOND UNIVERSITY (3rd) 4-45pm Neptune Homes Oval
Broadbeach illustrated how far they have come in their debut season by taking ladder leaders Southport to within nine points and keeping the powerhouse goalless after quarter time last week. The Cats will miss this finals series with 'only' five victories but they are seemingly laying the groundwork for future success. They should be pleased with the progress since round one with the likes of Jasmine Single, Alicia Withers, Drew Barnes, Izzy McPherson, Riley Perrett, Isla Ratilainen, Chelsea Lee and the emerging young talent should have supporters excited for the future.
Last week should give Broadbeach some belief they can match it with a top four team and a wonderful opportunity here for an upset especially in front of a parochial home crowd.
Bond University returned to their heavy scoring best last week and will be aiming for a repeat against the Cats to complete their preparation for the finals. There had been concerns about the lack of goals in recent critical clashes with Southport and Coorparoo managing a total return of one goal and 12 behinds. This was despite the Bull Sharks' general field play matching their opponents during those encounters.
Key players Shannon Nolan and Evy Reeves were back to their best last week as was full-forward Kendra Blattman, who returned to the top of the competition's goalkicking tally. Skye White and Jasmine Davidson provide strength and will be joined this week by the long-awaited return of Kierra Zerafa from injury.
Bond University will be focussed on gaining the four points first but would dearly love Wilston Grange to defeat Coorparoo in the hope of stealing that second place on the ladder at the same time.
MORNINGSIDE (4th) v UNIVERSITY OF QLD (8th) 4-45pm Jack Esplen Oval
Morningside suffered a surprise loss to Aspley at home two weeks ago that may have jeopardised their ability to finish higher on the ladder. Even with four points in this clash and if Bond Uni were to lose, the Panthers would remain fourth as the percentage difference is over 80. The danger would be if they were to lose and Wilston Grange win, they would be swapping positions with the Gorillas.
So barring current injuries, expect a relatively full-strength Morningside to run out especially with the finals around the corner and a solid hit-out required. Youthful Isabella Levine, Ally Lappin, Stella Scott, Zoe Petrides and Ella Gibson will be looking to finish out the season strong.
University of Queensland have been the 'nearly' side again this season. Only the four wins, but in recent weeks have encouragingly found form again to test the likes of Wilston Grange and Coorparoo. It is not beyond the Red Lionesses to give a similar performance here to give the Panthers a fright even away from the UQ fields. Luka Yoshida-Martin has had a massive season and with help from Elka Barnett, Jules Martin, Edie McCabe and Samantha Snowden, an upset is not outside the realms of possibilities.
The two sides met in round one and despite a big win to the Panthers, UQ will be aiming to replicate recent efforts to end the season on a positive note.
ASPLEY (6th) v MAROOCHYDORE (9th) 4-45pm Automall Aspley Oval
No matter what the result is in this match, Aspley will stay in sixth spot after the weekend. However, the Hornets have got plenty of sting in their tails at the business end of the season with impressive away wins over Morningside and Wilston Grange last week. There was also plenty to like in the creditable loss to Southport two weeks ago.
The revival has been led by the 'E' team of Ella Smith, Eva Downie, Evie Sealey and Elizabeth Hill, along with the talent of Jess Stallard, Bella McDonough, Niamh McCarthy, Peppa Poultney, Kaetsi French, Amelia Leigh and Monique Corrigan to name a few.
Aspley will start favourites here with the aim of continuing their good form in readiness for a tilt at one of the sides above them next week.
They have only twice tasted victory this season but Maroochydore is another emerging team that can be pleased with recent efforts. Inaccuracy cost them a potential third win away at Broadbeach in round 14 and before that only went down by four points to Coorparoo, and last week were not disgraced against another top four side in Morningside.
Sophie Schulze has been consistently good, Gabi Simpson provides x-factor, Phoebe Tuck continues to develop and the return of Molly Ferguson has added quality around the ball.
The Roos will be aiming for a similar huge effort and another win to finish on high and challenging teams more often next season.
MORETON BAY (10th) v SOUTHPORT (1st) **3-45pm Red Rooster Park
In recent weeks Southport have re-established themselves on top of the ladder and again look the team to beat for the premiership. In fact, their last loss was back in round five against Coorparoo and over the last month they have played three of the top four contenders and dismantled them all.
They are short favourites in this fixture, but will not want to flirt too much with their form with a big month ahead in defending their title. Steph O’Brien returns after missing last week, the younger Ashcroft (Lucy) makes her QAFLW senior debut and captain Rianna Schipp has been in superb form.
It will be another steep learning curve for Jess Davy and her young Lions, but there have been glimpses of the talent on display, which no doubt the club will be looking to grow and develop next year.
A reminder all games are shown on the AFLQ Youtube channel.