Image: Ben Grimes
Coorparoo have repeated their success from last year in defeating Southport, Broadbeach recorded their historic maiden win while Morningside and Wilston Grange were forced to work hard for their victories to headline round five of Bond University QAFLW.
At Giffin Park, Southport appeared to have Coorparoo's measure after three quarters in this top of the table clash as they held an 18-point lead. It possibly should have been more as the Sharks were off target kicking 1.4 in the third term while the Kings had been held scoreless since Sarah Perkins only goal late in the first quarter.
However, some ill-discipline crept in to the Sharks play in the final term which provided some momentum for Coorparoo, who quickly capitalised and closed in on the visitors lead. A couple of 'sling tackle' free kicks were awarded, but disputed by Sharks which led to 50m penalties closer to goal and were duly converted.
Scores were level half-way through the last quarter, but the Kings maintained their attack on the ball kicking the final two goals of the match to run out winners by 13 points, 6.2.38 to 3.7.25. Chelsea Chesterfield was the main beneficiary with two of the five majors in the final quarter together with Carly Hess, Edie Fraser and Tilayna Nissen.
Flipping a usual script, Coorparoo went inside 50 a massive 15 times to 1 in the last quarter, and it was Southport's turn to be held scoreless as they recorded their second loss for the season.
Broadbeach celebrated their historic maiden win in QAFLW by defeating Moreton Bay at Red Rooster Park by 25 points, 7.13.55 to 5.0.30.
The Cats misfired in the first half shooting 1.8 while the home team had two goals straight on the board to only trail by two points at half-time. Broadbeach finally found the big sticks in the third quarter kicking 4.4 to open a match winning 30-point margin at the final break.
To the Lions credit accuracy kept them in the contest, but the Cats added a further two goals in the final term to end with a significant advantage on scoring shots.
Alice Minahan showing her class with three goals in the historic win with Alicia Withers racking up 32 disposals (19 contested, seven tackles), Drew Barnes, Jasmine Single (both 24 disposals) and Josephine Plath laid 10 tackles.
Key Lions playmaker Jess Davy led her team with two goals (27 disposals), Arden Quilliam prominent in the back half (29 disposals) with other contributors Eva Steers, Tahlia Mead and Breanna-Rose White.
University of Queensland failed by just six points to cause an upset over previous ladder leaders Wilston Grange 9.4.58 to 10.4.64 in a high-quality contest on the University fields.
The Gorillas were looking to bounce back after last week's loss to Southport but found the Red Lionesses a tough side to overcome despite leading by 25 points at half-time. A terrific third term by the home team pulled them back within seven points and when Lily Gilliland kicked truly early in the final quarter scores were level.
A further goal apiece still had scores tied but at the 16-minute mark, the Gorillas grabbed the match winner and were able to hold on. Zimmorlei Farquharson the star again with five goals and Summer Hamilton two, while Keleejay Bingham, Mackenzie Findlay and the mercurial Tshinta Kendall high on the stat sheet.
For UQ, Luka Yoshida-Martin and Elka Barnett shone brightly with two goals, together with Yve Fittock and Eva Sartor.
Conversely, the match between Morningside and Aspley proved to be very tough for players to score with only one goal kicked between the two sides at Automall Aspley Oval where the Panthers prevailed by 10 points.
For trivia buffs, Emma McNaughton was the sole goalkicker in the second term and helped the Panthers to the lead by 13 points at the main break. However, that is where the scoring dried up for the visitors while the Hornets managed just three more behinds for the day.
In the final match of the round, Bond University flexed their ‘growing’ muscles with a convincing win over a developing Maroochydore. In fact, the Bull Sharks had a plus-36 differential inside 50's and their forwards capitalised with key forward Kendra Blattman, Bella Iverach and Annabel Lynch booting four goals each.
Next week we are in for another blockbuster with Morningside hosting ladder leaders Coorparoo – neighbourly love will no doubt be put on hold!