Image: Ben Grimes
Coorparoo came from behind to defeat fellow finals bound Wilston Grange, while the other teams in the top six recorded comfortable victories in round 16 of Bond University QAFLW.
In the match of the day, Coorparoo had to defeat fifth placed Wilston Grange to stave off Bond University, who had an easier assignment, from stealing the coveted second spot and a rest in the first week of the finals.
Conversely, if the Gorillas won, they would have been hoping for a surprise Morningside loss to climb back into the top four. It was not to be on either count.
Wilston Grange began well enough with two goals in the opening term while the home side were held to a solitary point. While remaining scoreless themselves, the Kings could only manage three behinds in the second and trailed by 10 points at half-time.
Coorparoo though lived up to the saying 'the premiership quarter' in the third when their big guns took control. Key forwards Sarah Perkins who was back in the side, Chelsea Chesterfield then Indiana Scheffler on the siren all kicked goals while keeping the Gorillas again scoreless to now lead by 10 points at the last change.
Edie Fraser then bobbed up with two more goals for the Kings in the final term to put the issue beyond doubt. Wilston Grange found the big sticks again in the dying stages with two late goals, but it was all over. Coorparoo winning by seven points 5.7.(37) to 4.6.(30) and keeping their impressive home record intact. They lost only one match (Morningside) there for the season and will be a force to be reckoned with if they return to Giffin Park during the finals.
Already mentioned the efforts of Scheffler and Chesterfield for the victors, but Grace Roberts-White, Ayla Fetahagic, Renee Teys, Dakota Villiva, Grace Osborne and Alyssa Gall among many who were instrumental in the comeback win. They can now enjoy a weekend off.
Zimmorlei Farquharson kicked three of the Gorillas four goals, with Abbey Crowe, Rhani Dodd, Hayley Finning, Summer Hamilton and Mackenzie Findlay among their better players.
The worrying trend for the Grange is they have lost their past three now to other teams contesting the finals with one of those being Morningside, who they play in a cut-throat eliminator this weekend.
As mentioned the other matches went to script with firstly, the Panthers having little trouble disposing of University of Queensland by 49 points at Jack Esplen Oval 10.4.(64) to 2.3.(15). The match was over by half-time after the home team had eight goals on the board to just one. Zoe Petrides finished with three goals for the match from 23 possessions while Courtney McDonnell and Chloe Musial kicked two each.
Bella Levine (26 disposals, seven clearances and nine tackles) in a dominating performance together with Stella Scott (26 and five clearances), Gracie Roy, Ally Lappin and Greta Liell-Cock listed among their best. Key playmaker Laura Roy is expected to return for next week against Wilston Grange.
For UQ, Freya Ross (27 possessions), Jules Martin (25 plus six clearances and 12 tackles), Luka Yoshida-Martin, Eva Sartor, Madeleine Roos and Annaliese Neary ending their seasons on a positive note. The Red Lionesses despite some recent encouraging efforts against the topflight ended their season with just four wins and will naturally aiming higher in 2027.
Ladder leaders Southport warmed up for the finals with an effortless win away at Moreton Bay. Following last week's closer than expected finish against Broadbeach, the Sharks took no chances with next weekend off already assured and were pretty close to full strength.
Caitlin Miller booted five goals and Tayla Christensen two with several of their playmakers gathering numerous possessions.
Moreton Bay will be disappointed not to register a score here, but co-coach Jess Davy who has led by example this season, will be hoping her young chargers have learnt a lot and with further development and recruiting can improve next year.
For the second successive week Bond University were back to their heavy scoring best shutting out debutantes and neighbours Broadbeach by 53 points 9.8.(62) to 1.3.(9).
Annabelle Foat gathered 23 disposals, Tegan Williams (21) and regular playmakers Millar Brosnan-Ball, Shannon Nolan, Jasmyn Davidson and Grace Moodie in good form ahead of the finals. Kendra Blattman kicked four goals and in doing so led the regular season with a tally of 37, three ahead of the Sharks Tayla Christensen.
Despite missing out on the finals, Broadbeach will be encouraged by their maiden season with five wins and many positive signs. There has been pleasing progress since round one with the likes of Jasmine Single, Alicia Withers, Drew Barnes, Izzy McPherson, Riley Perrett, Isla Ratilainen, Stephanie Aguinaldo, Alice Minahan and Chelsea Lee to name a few plus the emerging younger talent that should have supporters excited for the future.
The Bull Sharks opponents in the first week will be Aspley who had a comfortable 58-point margin at home over Maroochydore 11.11.(77) to 3.1.(19).
Ella Smith amassed 47 disposals and 15 clearances as she wrote her name into the Bond University QAFLW history books, Eva Downie (28), Summer Carriage (24) and Niamh McCarthy continued her terrific form kicking four goals among her 26 possessions. The Hornets have emerged as a serious threat towards the end of the season and the elimination final with Bond University should be an exciting clash.
Maroochydore ended the season with two wins, but again there were positive signs from the Sunshine Coast and with better luck could have gained a couple more. Molly Ferguson, Phoebe Tuck, Sophie Schulze, Gabi Simpson, Anita Ovenden, Britney Murray, Pippen Russell and Abbey Rankin were some of the key playmakers throughout the season and will be aiming for better things in 2027.
The Bond University QAFLW final series gets underway next weekend with elimination finals:
- Morningside will host Wilston Grange at 2pm at Jack Esplen Oval while on the Gold Coast, Bond University host Aspley on the main university oval at 3-45pm.
- The top two - Southport and Coorparoo have the weekend off to prepare to play each other the following week to qualify for a coveted spot in the Grand Final.