FRESH off a vital win over the previously undefeated Southport, Bond University will be out to take down another QAFL Women’s title contender in Round 13. The Bull Sharks return home and welcome the third placed Hornets, a side that pipped them at the death in their previous encounter. It headlines what should be an entertaining round of action.

BOND UNIVERSITY vs. ASPLEY
Saturday, July 8 @ Bond University Oval, 2:00pm

These two sides are set for a cracker of a contest, sitting second and third respectively just off the leader Southport. Realistically, the Bull Sharks and Hornets are the only two challengers to Southport’s title race, and Bond University followed through on that promise last round with an impressive victory over the Sharks at Fankhauser Reserve.

Now back at home and with their fins up, the Bull Sharks will want to right the wrongs of a tight loss to the Hornets up at Neil Upton Oval. After the Hornets looked good for most of the day, the Bull Sharks hit back late to hit the front, only for the Hornets to snatch the win in the dying moments of the match. With that fresh in the mind of the players, expect the game to go a similar way.

Bond University showed what it is capable of with a full-strength squad and all of its State Academy contingent. AFLW Academy member Sienna McMullen is a top-end draft prospect and one who has the potential to break the game open. Along with fellow Maroons in Ava Usher, Havana Harris, Ella Calleja and Josie McCabe, the home side has options who can play both in midfield and attack.

Aspley Hornets key tall Rania Crozier will get a key warm-up ahead of her first AFLW Under 18 Championships in what will be a terrific challenge against a quality defence. The Hornets also have some top-end quality in terms of experience with co-captain Courtney Daniec, versatile tall Lucia Liessi and goalkicking midfielder Mikayla Martin all game-breaking players.

Expect a full-strength Bond Uni to be too strong at home, but it will be a great challenge for Aspley, and the Hornets do have the confidence of having beaten the Bull Sharks at home earlier in the year.

COORPAROO vs WILSTON GRANGE
Saturday, July 8 @ Giffin Park, 2:00pm

In a make-or-break game for both sides, the clash between the Kings and Gorillas looms as a finals definer. Coorparoo currently holds fourth spot and is six points clear of Wilston Grange, with a win having the potential to go an almost unassailable 10 points in front. The Gorillas have been much improved on their wooden spoon-winning 2022 season, but a loss in this game makes it tough, especially with a percentage of just 46.79 compared to the Kings’ 129.14.

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND vs. YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE
Saturday, July 8 @ University of Queensland, 2:00pm

With fifth spot up for grabs providing Wilston Grange loses to Coorparoo, the reigning premiers University of Queensland will be hungry to knock off the winless Yeronga South Brisbane. The Red Lionesses have taken time to gel this season with a high turnover over the off-season, but have been more competitive of late, and expect them to be too good for the Devils who are still developing players for the future.

MAROOCHYDORE vs. SOUTHPORT
Saturday, July 8 @ Neil Upton Oval, 2:00pm

In arguably the most one-sided contest of the weekend, a hungry Southport comes up against Maroochydore determined to atone for its first loss of the season last round. The Sharks head up the highway to the Sunshine Coast, and while the Roos will have the home crowd support, trying to take down the ladder leaders is no easy feat. Though the green and gold can remain competitive in patches, it will be difficult to try and contain the firepower at Southport’s disposal.