In their debut season Morningside will meet the defending premiers Southport in next Sunday’s BOND QAFLW Grand Final to be played at Brighton Homes Arena.
The Panthers put last week’s heavy defeat behind them in brushing aside Coorparoo in Saturday’s Preliminary Final at Jack Esplen Oval 5.3.(33) to 1.5.(11).
In a scenario eerily similar to their previous two meetings earlier this season, Morningside were quicker to apply the scoreboard pressure, increasing the margin in the second half while the King’s struggled to convert their chances managing just a solitary goal for the match.
The Panthers kicked two in the opening term through Harlee McIlwain and clever forward Zoe Petrides while the opposition were held scoreless. Coorparoo’s Carly Hess put their only major on the board just before half-time after taking a strong mark from a Chelsea Winn kick into the forward line. However, the influence of Winn and midfielder Grace Roberts-White was well and truly nullified by the home team.
Early in the third quarter Morningside playmaker Simone Arthur pounced on a loose ball near the goal square and snapped truly following a brief score review. A few minutes later Petrides broke free on the wing and found Lucy Bellinger in space in the forward line. In turn she spotted Laura Roy unmarked closer to goal and the left-footer duly converted from 40 metres out to make the King’s task more difficult.
Chelsea Chesterfield had a chance late in the term to close the margin but will be rueing a costly miss. Again, Coorparoo did most of the attacking in the fourth quarter but the ball would not bounce their way as two more behinds were added as Morningside were solely intent on defence.
Naturally the ball eventually found its way to the Panthers forward line where one of their match winners Annabel Peacock following a brilliant second effort ran around a couple of opposition players, straightened up from just inside the arc and sealed the Grand Final berth with a sensational goal.
Morningside responded so well after the loss to Southport last week and no doubt Ella Gibson appreciated the inclusion of Teresa Dixon who dominated the hit outs, Gracie Roy was back in the side which allowed sister Laura more freedom picking up 30 disposals.
Already mentioned the influence of Peacock and Petrides, but Issy Levine returned to form as did Lucy Bellinger, Greta Liell-Cock and Courtney McDonnell back from injury. While the defence led by ever reliable Lucy McCormick and the switch of Mackenzie Sleep to the backline has proved valuable.
Coorparoo found the Panthers too strong this season but they can look forward to being a formidable opposition again next season. Players such as skipper Ayla Fetahagic, (with sister Zina), Roberts-White, ruck Renee Teys and Tilayna Nissen, the experience of Chelsea Winn, Meg Muir, Lucy Schnieder, Rose Clancy-Dillon, Chloe Haines and Chesterfield up forward. Then there is the developing talent of Indy Scheffler, Edie Fraser and Jess Reilly.
So next week will see a rematch of the second semi-final where Southport proved too strong, but the win on the weekend will give Morningside renewed confidence and hope of a closer contest.