THE Queensland Australian Football League Women’s (QAFLW) was back for 2022 over the weekend, and there were there some big wins across the league, as teams made brutal statements even in Round 1.

Aspley 5.5 (35) defeated by Coorparoo 5.6 (36)

In this week’s Match of the Round, it was Coorparoo that got the win over Aspley by the narrowest of margins.

It was a tight and congested game in the early parts of the opening term, with neither side having any decent chances at goal.  Coorparoo did have the majority of the possession and territory early, btu just couldn’t convert.

It took over 14 minutes to get the first goal on the board, and it was a goal to Coorparoo after Macie Brown kicked a very clever goal off the deck. Taya Oliver then kicked the Kings’ second less then two minutes later to extend Coorparoo’s lead even further. The Kings had an extra chance to kick a goal after the final siren but the kick did not make the distance.

Abby Hewett kicked a goal 50 seconds into the second quarter to finally get a goal on the board for Aspley. The Hornets almost had their second via Rachel Vetter, but Ash Moloney denied her with a brilliant tackle on the line. Overall the Hornets looked the much better side in the second term, and it was paying off on the scoreboard.

A beautiful banana snap from Michaela Campbell saw Aspley get their second goal on the board and the Hornets took the lead. Makeisha Muller almost snatched a goal against the run of play for the Kings but her shot hit the post.

Campbell then kicked her second to extend Aspley’s lead out to eight points, but it was not long before Coorparoo counter attacked again and Muller kicked truly. At half-time the margin sat at a mere three points and it really was still anyone’s game.

The third term saw a lot of free flowing footy for much of the first seven and a half minutes, and most of the action happening between the forward 50 arcs. The only two goals of the term were to the Hornets via Phoebe Baird and Vetter, and so by the final change the margin had stretched out to 13 points.

Then, the Kings’ charge and fightback began.

Chelsea Chesterfield kicked a goal for Coorparoo three and a half minutes in, and then had her second only minutes later and the scored were even. The winning behind would not come until there was only just over two minutes to go, and that was all it took to give Coorparoo the final win.

Among Coorparoo’s best of Laura Blue, who was a solid wall in their defence. Meanwhile for Aspley, young stars Charlotte Mullins and Lilu Hung were both impressive despite the loss.

In other results:

• Southport had a debut in the top division to remember, comfortably defeating Yeronga South Brisbane by 43 points.

The Devils did not score until the third term, and only kicked one major for the whole match. By that stage Southport had kicked about eight.

Brittany Perry was the star in front of goal for the Sharks, kicking four majors, while Alana Gee kicked two. Georgia Breward and Selina Priest were also among the best for the Sharks in the win.

Meanwhile Adrienne Keefe was the sole goal kicker for the Devils, while Charlotte Taylor, Ebony Milne and Mia Walsh were among their best in a tough loss off the back of a tough preseason.

• University of Queensland (UQ) got their premiership defence off to the perfect start, defeating Maroochydore by 35 points.

Despite going scoreless in the first term and trailing by a point at half time, UQ levelled things up in the third term and then ran away with it in the last, keeping the Roos goalless in the final term.

Kadie Fletcher was a star in front of goal in her first game for UQ, kicking four goals and finishing among the best players for her new side. Jacqui Russell, Isobel Hartog and Kristen Tyquin were also among the better players for the Red Lions.

Meanwhile for Maroochydore, Imagen David, Chloe Gregory and Jya Espstein were among the best in the frustrating loss, while Kiara Hillier and Rianna Maloney were their only goal scorers.

• Bond University also made a statement about their 2022 intentions completely dismantling Wilston Grange. The Gorillas were never really in the contest, as they didn’t score all afternoon and the Bullsharks went on to win by 85 points.

Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap was a star in front of goals with four majors. Shannon Danckert was also among Bond Uni’s best and kicked two majors of her own, while Abbey Bevan also kicked two majors.

Meanwhile for Wilston Grange Ruby Ker, the skipper Mackenzie Findlay and returnee Chloe Litherland were all among the Gorillas’ best players in what was a brutal opening to their campaign.