JUST two points separates first from fourth on the 2020 Queensland Australian Football League (AFL) Women’s competition following Round 6 which yielded results showing how tight the competition is this year. Bond University defeated Coorparoo in the battle on the in-form sides since the break, whilst Coorparoo’s victory over Maroochydore meant there are no QAFL Women’s sides without a loss. In other results, Yeronga South Brisbane escaped with a win over Wilston Grange, whilst University of Queensland defeated a spirited Aspley Hornets.

In what was anticipated to be the match of the round, Bond University came away with the points in a low-scoring contest against Coorparoo showing the importance of defence. Despite both teams showing they are more than capable of piling on the goals, just five were kicked in the match, and four were off the boots of Sharkettes players. Taylor Smith was the only multiple goalkicker in the match with a couple of snags in the 4.6 (30) to 1.3 (9) victory, while Jasmyn Davidson added another goal to her total following a bag of five last week, as did youngster Annise Bradfield.

AFL Women’s National Academy member Tegan Levi was named best on ground in the win, with her sister Maddison also among the best, with Lucy Single, Lucinda Pullar and Lauren Bella impressive for the Sharkettes. For Coorparoo, they could not quite find the same space the Kings were afforded to in past weeks, with Chelsea Chesterfield the only player to breakthrough with a major in the third term. Charlotte Edmunds and Alanna Perry were named the Kings’ best in the loss, while the likes of Jamie Stanton, Emma McKenzie and Jade Ellenger continued their good form this season.

The only other side to record back-to-back wins with Bond University in Rounds 5 and 6 was University of Queensland following the Red Lionesses’ 33-point triumph over last placed Aspley Hornets. The game was moved prior to the first bounce due to weather conditions, but it did not seem to worry the Red Lionesses who booted three goals to nil in the opening half, having eight scoring shots to two and leading by 21 points. They continued that form into the second half, but the Hornets ensured it was not a blow out by kicking a third term goal and restricting the opposition to just six goals for the match.

Dakota Davidson (three goals) and Megan Hunt (two) both booted multiple majors, while Grace Bodey (one), Mikayla Martin and Alexandra Moran were named in the Red Lionesses’ best. For the Hornets, Lucy Pengelly was a standout in the loss, with Morgan Lanigan, Courtney Daniec and Angela Lingard also in the top players, and Lauren Kreis the sole goal kicker.

In the tightest game of the round, Yeronga South Brisbane escaped with the narrowest of margins. The Devils got up 3.4 (22) to 3.3 (21) over Wilston Grange. Both teams booted minimal goals, but the pressure stakes were high as AFL Women’s talent Sam Virgo (Yeronga South Brisbane) and Kristen Tyquin (Wilston Grange) were their respective sides’ multiple goalkickers. Courteney Bromage booted the other major for the Devils and was a standout in the win alongside the likes of Emma Bates and Vanessa Hart. For the Gorillas, Charlotte Taylor was nominated best-on with Tyquin, Brooke Randall and Catherine Zvarc also among the best.

In another tight game, Coolangatta Tweed kicked a crucial final term goal to escape with a five-point victory over the previously undefeated Maroochydore. The Bluebirds did not kick a goal until the second term, and when they did led by just a point at the main break and final break, but came good when it mattered as experienced Leah Kaslar kicked the important match-winner. The Bluebirds got up, 3.4 (22) to 2.5 (17) with Haze-Lee Martin and Faith Alchin booting the other two goals. Alexandra Hamlyn and Keyshia Matenga were also impressive in the victory with Kaslar. Mikayla Pauga was best-on for Maroochydore, booting one of the Roos’ two goals, while Sophie Bale, Maggie Harmer and Lily Postlethwaite among the other top performers in the defeat.

QAFLW ROUND 6 RESULTS:

Wilston Grange 3.3 (21) defeated by Yeronga South Brisbane 3.4 (22)
University of Queensland 6.7 (43) defeated Apsley Hornets 1.4 (10)
Coorparoo 1.3 (9) defeated by Bond University 4.6 (30)
Maroochydore 2.5 (17) defeated by Coolangatta Tweed 3.4 (22)