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Southport returned to their premiership winning best inflicting the first defeat of Wilston Grange for the season, while Bond University and Morningside fought another thriller to headline Round Four of Bond University QAFLW.
At Fankhauser Reserve on the Gold Coast, Southport won this contest 9.9.(63) to 4.5.(29) with a scintillating burst after half-time to which the Gorillas had no reply. A sparkling standard of football in the first half justified its top-billing with four goals each and the Sharks held a narrow two-point lead at the main break.
However, Southport stamped their class in the second half with four unanswered goals in the third with their talented forward line kicking into gear. Holly Wall grabbed her second after a strong mark and clever kick to the goal square by Tayla Christensen followed by Stephanie O'Brien and captain Rianna Schipp in quick succession capping off some quality play and consistent forward 50 entries.
Olivia Meagher back in the team added some extra scoring power and she saluted late in the term and early in the last quarter for her third to punctuate the victory.
The Gorillas scoring power dried up and were kept goalless after half-time as star recruit Zimmorlei Farquharson was looking dangerous again with two of the visitors’ goals by the main break. Zimra Hussain, Hayley Finning, Siobhan Senior and Layla Collins also among the better players, but the Grange showed they will be a force later in the season.
In the commentary match it was a tense and thrilling contest at a wet and slushy Jack Esplen Oval, where Bond University stormed home in the final term to beat Morningside by four points 6.2.(38) to 5.4.(34). Both teams attack on the ball was to be commended in the messy conditions and the first half was highlighted by the Panther's Emma McNaughton back from an ACL injury last year, snapping a terrific goal from long range in the second quarter.
The Bull Sharks accuracy was as significant as they went into the long break with three straight goals in the opening half and a three-point lead.
Morningside looked to have broken the game open in the third quarter with three goals including a sensational boundary line effort from Hannah McLaughlin to just one behind and a handy 15-point margin heading into the final term.
However, the Bull Sharks displayed why they have been one of the power clubs in recent times by responding with three of their own as they kept pressing with inside 50 entries.
Bella Iverach capitalised with a toe-poke after the ball stopped on the muddy goal-line before sharpshooter Kendra Blattman entered the fray. Firstly, with a goal square snap then a set shot following a free kick for her fourth and put Bond University in front and held on for a vital win in a tense finish.
Meanwhile, for Morningside aside from McLaughlin, Laura Roy was a standout, with Greta Liell-Cock, Kaitlyn Day and Roisin Chu among their notables.
In another close finish, Broadbeach went so close to recording their first win in their debut season but were denied by University of Queensland by six points at Neptune Homes Oval 3.4.(22) to 2.4.(16).
The Cats were off to a positive start with goals to Stormie Holub-Huttunen and Alice Minahan in the opening term before Lilly Gilliland grabbed one back for the Red Lionesses in the second term to trail by eight points at half-time.
Both teams remained goalless in the third quarter as Broadbeach were desperately looking for those extra scores to give themselves a buffer but were unable to convert.
UQ finally found their range in the last term as Elka Barnett after a strong mark levelled the scores early in the quarter. It was a tense struggle until a crazy bit of play at the 14-minute mark where the Red Lionesses forced the ball forward.
Jules Martin had a snap-shot from the right forward pocket which looked to be going through before taking a wicked bounce backwards. Luka Yoshida-Martin saw the opportunity to soccer the ball from the top of the square and celebrated as the ball sailed through to give the visitors the lead.
Some superb tackling from the students denied the Cats opportunities to go forward and UQ held on for their second win of the season.
In the remaining matches, Aspley also won for the second time this season with a comfortable 39-point win over Moreton Bay. A burst of four goals in the second quarter a telling factor in the Hornets win. Emma MacDonald with three goals and two each to Amelia Leigh and Ella Smith.
The Lions continue to show improvement as Indiah Collings, Kitara Whap-Farrar found the goals and Breanna-Rose White, Amelia Reeves and Mahalia Johnson listed among their best.
Coorparoo now remain the only unbeaten team in the competition following their 24-point home win at Giffin Park against a game Maroochydore side. Again, one quarter of football proving the difference with the Kings off to a quick start slotting home three goals in the opening term and an 18-point margin at half-time.
To their credit the Roos battled hard in the second half and whilst only adding one more goal themselves in the final quarter, they restricted the home team to only two more majors to prevent a runaway victory.
Next week another blockbuster with new ladder leaders Coorparoo hosting Southport while a chance for Moreton Bay or Broadbeach to break through for their first four points as they face each other at the Lions home ground.