Photo by Brooke Sleep
It is the Bond University QAFLW Preliminary Final between Coorparoo and Bond University with the winner to face Southport in next Sunday's Grand Final.
COORPAROO v BOND UNIVERSITY 4pm Giffin Park
Most indicators would point to Coorparoo being the favourite in this clash to win through to the grand final next weekend for another chance at Southport.
The Kings have beaten Bond University twice this season – round three by 16 points and in round 14 the margin was only three points. Even more telling was that Coorparoo restricted the scoring talent of their opposition to a total of just two goals in those meetings.
In the round 14 clash, Bond Uni scored their only six-pointer towards the end to narrow that margin and it was at Giffin Park where Coorparoo have only lost once this season.
Adding more fuel to the fire is that Coorparoo defeated the Bull Sharks in a semi-final last year – so make that three in a row. For the record, the last time Bond Uni beat the Kings was round 16, 2025 and it was a convincing 47-point victory.
So how do we assess the respective form going into this high-pressure fixture with a huge reward next week? Coorparoo were sitting on top of the ladder after round 10 then suffered consecutive losses to top four rivals Southport and Morningside and of course the Sharks again in last week's semi-final.
In the latter part of the season, the Kings appeared to struggle against lesser opposition with a close call away to Maroochydore, a slow start against University of Queensland almost proved costly and a hard-fought effort was required to overcome Wilston Grange in the final round to retain second place.
Coorparoo seem to do just enough to win and in the end that matters most and the home ground should be an advantage. They have been thereabouts the past two seasons without reaching the premiership match and would dearly love the opportunity to 'climb that mountain'.
Bond University have been a consistent top four performer in recent years and know what it takes to be there on the final day. A premiership in 2023, runners-up to Southport in 2024 and missing out last year would be enough motivation for a return in 2026.
Like Coorparoo, the Bull Sharks were down for a couple of weeks with successive losses to the Kings then Southport, before returning to their scoring ways with four consecutive wins. It culminated in a tough contest against Morningside last week where they were able to come from behind, put their noses in front and stayed there when the final siren sounded. The sort of match which should prepare them well for another 'knockout' final.
Naturally, both teams possess several quality players with a combined total of 11 selected in the Bond University QAFLW Squad of the year. There are fascinating match-ups all over the ground which should ensure another close contest.
The Kings seemed to miss a couple of players in the disappointing loss last week to the Sharks but the return of Sarah Perkins in particular, who kicked three of her side's four goals back in the round three match will provide strong support to fellow forward Chelsea Chesterfield.
On the other hand, their defence was under extreme pressure last week and will have to contend with the competition's leading goal-kicker Kendra Blattman and mobile Millar Brosnan-Ball among others. Very much like Southport, the Bull Sharks possess a variety of attacking options that can apply the necessary scoreboard pressure on their day.
In summary, the form may favour Coorparoo, but as we know anything can happen in a Preliminary Final and expect this clash to be and nailbiter….and full of highlights.
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