Image: Highflyer Images
Southport have easily won their semi-final over Coorparoo to progress straight through to another Grand Final, while Bond University defeated Morningside in a thriller to stay alive after semi-finals weekend in Bond University QAFLW.
Another powerful performance from Southport has set them up nicely to defend their premiership crown following a convincing 56-point victory on home soil over a shell-shocked Coorparoo 9.10.(64) to 1.2.(8).
The Kings started so well stunning the Sharks after three minutes with a well-worked goal that was finished off by their leading forward Chelsea Chesterfield. Alas, for the visitors attempting to defeat the reigning premiers for the third time in two seasons that would be their only major for the match.
Southport like their nickname, began hunting in packs and warmed to the task continually linking up from the back and pushing forward. Maddy Baldwin put them on the board after seven minutes then moments later kicked her second with a beauty from the boundary line which was cleverly shepherded through by Steph O'Brien.
Only eight points in it at quarter-time and the second term became an arm wrestle with Coorparoo hanging on while the Sharks were off target with four behinds.
The previous meeting between these two in round 11 at this venue, Southport kicked clear with four goals in the second term. On Saturday, it was the 'premiership quarter', led by lively forward Holly Wall (20 disposals) with two goals and was everywhere. Key forward Tayla Christensen finally found her range after a couple of early misses and being subdued by King's defender Mia Teubler.
Sharks captain Rianna Schipp (21 disposals and seven inside 50's) imposed herself on the contest and finished off the term with another goal to break the game open. At the last change the margin was now five goals and out of range for Coorparoo who struggled against such a disciplined team defence. The inside 50's told the story – 35 to 17 and nine marks to just two in that zone.
Southport's play was typified in the final term by a wonderful passage which started in the backline and executed perfectly through the centre. Any one of three players could have raffled the goal, but it was left to Lilly-ann Ryder, who had a brilliant game off the half-back line and followed the play down the field to put her stamp on the game.
Then Maddy Baldwin, who together with the other forwards especially Olivia Meagher had pressured the King's defence all day forced an error. Small forward/wing Scarlett Featherstone picked up the loose ball on the forward line and kicked a wonderful goal that bounced through to put the icing on the cake.
One could name the whole Sharks team in the best players, but aside from those mentioned, Ella Maurer had 23 possessions and six clearances as did Steph O'Brien from her 19 disposals, Sienna Burnham (17 and 14 tackles), Kiara Hillier, Ruby Mitchell, Tearnie Brown and Megan Hunt in defence all were key contributors. Then they had Giselle Davies and Tenielle Langdale dominating the ruck 48 hit outs to 23.
Coorparoo were unable to get the ball past the centre when required, but their defence led by Teubler, Madison Goodwin and Abigail Lunson battled hard under severe pressure. Other better players included captain Ayla Fetahagic, Dakota Villiva, Grace Roberts-White, Grace Osborne, Chloe Haines and Renee Teys had a great tussle with Davies in the ruck and performed well around the ground.
The Kings will lick their wounds and have the opportunity to bounce back in next week's Preliminary Final with plenty for coach Ben McKenzie and his staff to review and evaluate.
Coorparoo's opponent will be Bond University which scraped through against a determined Morningside by just five points 5.4.(34) to 4.5.(29) also on the Gold Coast.
Similar to the other semi-final – Bond Uni grabbed the first goal of the match through key forward Kendra Blattman, before Morningside hit back with two goals from their gun captain Laura Roy.
The Bull Sharks gained some ascendancy though over the next two quarters with four goals to just one. Annabelle Foat (19 possessions and 10 tackles) and Trinity Ella in the second was followed up by Ella and Blattman again in the third despite another six-pointer from Laura Roy early in that term to briefly hit the lead. The margin 11 points in favour of the home side at the last change.
The mercurial Roy scored hers and her team's fourth goal half-way through the final quarter to give the Panthers hope. The ball then ricocheted between the two arcs with both sides having opportunities to win the match but could only manage a further behind each.
A couple of telling free kicks helped the Bull Sharks to maintain possession in their front half and desperately held on for a game win to overcome the hurdle they fell at last year. It also completed a hat-trick of wins over Morningside for the season.
Their key playmakers led the way – Shannon Nolan (30 disposals, six clearances), Evy Reeves (28 and six clearances), Charlotte Taylor, Lexi Samuels and Tobi Chapman. Aside from Foat's efforts, Jasmyn Davidson and Kierra Zerafa both laid nine tackles each, Beth Pinchin (six) and Skye White marginally won the battle in the ruck.
Another outstanding performance by Roy booting all of Morningside's four goals from 18 possessions and could not have done much more to lift her team over the line.
Kaitlyn Day was another standout with 19 disposals, six clearances and 18 tackles as both team's tackling pressure was a feature. Gracie Roy, Bella Levine, Greta Liell-Cock, Stella Scott and Coco Garton featuring among the Panther's best.
Morningside unable to repeat 2025 in reaching the 'big dance' and will watch from the sidelines as Coorparoo host Bond University at Giffin Park at 4pm next Saturday afternoon in the Preliminary Final. The winner to face Southport in the Bond University QAFLW Grand Final on Sunday September 6 at Brighton Homes Arena.