AFTER a week’s break, the QAFL Women’s action returns to ovals in the Sunshine State with the top four sides taking on the bottom four teams. It could create some serious ladder separation if the favourites all win, though the lower ranked sides could be reinvigorated after a rest.

WILSTON GRANGE vs. YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE
Saturday, June 3 @ Hickey Park, 5:00pm

Wilston Grange has a massive opportunity to move six points clear inside the top four despite having a poor percentage of just 53.44. Last year’s wooden spooners have beaten three of the four bottom teams, including Yeronga South Brisbane back in Round 1. The Gorillas will be heavily fancied in the match given the Devils are yet to record a win in season 2023, and have slipped eight points behind seventh placed Maroochydore.

The Gorillas’ Uma Brennan has been one of their most consistent players all year, named among the best in each of the six matches, while Kalista-Jayne Shiner has also impressed during their improved season. Charlize Anderson (four goals) leads all-comers from the home side when it comes to majors in 2023. Courtney McDonnell has also kicked four goals and is the leading forward for the Devils, while Camilla Burnett and Peppa Poultney have been among the consistent standouts in tough contests.

Wilston Grange should get the win and incredibly move six points clear in fourth, but one can never count out Yeronga South Brisbane as the Devils have been competitive at times, and just need to put it all together.

SOUTHPORT vs. UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Saturday, June 3 @ Fankhauser Reserve, 3:00pm

In the second grand final rematch of the year, University of Queensland will hope to have put its Round 1 defeat in the rearview mirror in order to cause a massive upset. No side has been able to quell Southport as of yet, with the Sharks boasting a greater percentage than the other seven teams put together, 818.75 per cent. Though Southport will be missing a number of quality players due to the Gold Coast Suns Academy still competing in the Coates Talent League, expect the Sharks to be too strong.

ASPLEY vs. COORPAROO
Saturday, June 3 @ Graham Road, 4:45pm

Second placed Aspley only has a two-point gap on third placed Bond University and can extend that with a win over Coorparoo. These sides faced off in Round 1 and played out a draw in one of the games of the season, with the Hornets finding far better form since then. The Hornets’ only other blemish came against Southport, and they look to be the favourites here though Coorparoo has a healthy percentage of 123.20 and will be looking to leapfrog Wilston Grange in the near future.

MAROOCHYDORE vs. BOND UNIVERSITY
Saturday, June 3 @ Neil Upton Oval, 5:00pm

In the final game of the round, Bond University has the opportunity to regain second spot if the Hornets do slip up, holding a superior percentage of 239.01. By comparison, Maroochydore has just 36.36 per cent, but will host the Bull Sharks up on the Sunshine Coast. If the Roos can limit the visitors’ scoring they could be in with a chance, but the Bull Sharks were far too good in Round 1 and will be hoping to repeat the dose in Round 8.