Image: TJ Yelds
Morningside's turn to try an inflict a season defeat on ladder leaders Coorparoo this week while Broadbeach will be searching for their second consecutive success in Bond University QAFLW Round Six which also highlights the first week of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.
MORNINGSIDE (5th) v COORPAROO (1st) 4-45pm Jack Esplen Oval
Coorparoo are conquering a few big scalps this season and can claim another one here in Morningside. The unbeaten Kings powering home over Southport last week with some calm and disciplined football in a tense contest which will bode well in Panthers territory. The mix is working with Chelsea Chesterfield and Tilayna Nissen strong in front of the ball and the Fetahagic’s, Schneider, Baldwick and Wyett keeping it going in their general direction.
Morningside too defeated Southport in a thriller back in round two and last week overcame a determined Aspley outfit despite only scoring a solitary goal. Laura Roy keeps excelling, Simone Arthur has performed well and Sophie Balcombe is also on top of her game. So the Panthers preparation for the ladder leader appears to be ideal and this healthy rivalry is ready for another exciting chapter especially after the preliminary final last year which went the way of Morningside by 22 points.
BROADBEACH (9th) v MAROOCHYDORE (8th) 4-45PM Neptune Homes Oval
On the back of an Alicia Withers ‘special’, Broadbeach created their own bit of history last week recording their maiden win in Bond University QAFLW. That was away to Moreton Bay but this week the Cats have the chance to win at their home ground against Maroochydore who also have their only win for the season over the Lions back in round three.
Both sides are sitting on four points but have displayed scoring ability and have a similar form line through their matches with University of Queensland. The Cats went down narrowly at this venue in a close contest while the Roos also lost narrowly to the Red Lionesses in a high scoring affair in round two. The young brigade at Maroochydore which includes Sophie Schulze, Phoebe Tuck and Billie Missen are impressing at each outing but we’re certain the Cats will be on the prowl this week.
This contest will follow the Cats v Tigers QAFL clash, so it would be worth staying on to potentially see another slice of history.
ASPLEY (6th) v SOUTHPORT (4th) 2pm Automall Aspley Oval
Aspley’s backline got a tick last week restricting Morningside to one goal but this week, they will need the forward line to also ‘click’ as they take on last year’s dominant force. In their two meetings last season against Southport, the Hornets were outplayed by the eventual premiers. However, heading into this clash, the Sharks are only one game clear of the home team after doubling their total losses from last year following the defeat at Coorparoo last week.
No doubt the Sharks will be looking to make amends and get their three-peat plan back on track. Aspley will be hoping the narrow and tough loss to Morningside last week will have prepared them well for this clash and hope to hatch a plan to cause another upset.
In the remaining two matches, firstly it is the University challenge with Bond University hosting University of Queensland at 4-45pm on the Gold Coast. The Bull Sharks will relish being back home again after successive away matches which included that thrilling win over Morningside a couple of rounds ago.
Round Three was the last time at home where they only scored one goal in succumbing to ladder leaders Coorparoo so with a forward line headed by Kendra Blattman, Bond will be looking for more scoring power here.
On the other hand UQ too have shown they can score freely when able to move the ball quickly into their forward half and almost caused an upset with the narrow loss to Wilston Grange last week. The Red Lionesses will need to match the Bull Sharks with that same tenacity around the ball and that scoring power to be in this contest.
Wilston Grange will also relish being back home at Hickey Park following that close call last week and losing to Southport on the Gold Coast in round four. The Gorillas will be a heavy favourite hosting Moreton Bay but Jess Davy and her young Lions can only gain valuable experience against these better teams.
A reminder this is week one of Sir Doug Nicholls round, but Bond University QAFLW takes a competition bye next week and returns for round seven on the weekend of May 30 – when we are likely to see a number of Academy stars filter back into the competition!