COORPAROO is basking in the glory of an upset, taking down ladder leaders Bond University by a goal in a thriller on Anzac Day yesterday. One of two Anzac Day clashes on the menu – with Maroochydore also winning its first match of the season courtesy of a 46-point smashing of cellar dwellers Yeronga South Brisbane – it was the Kings who took full advantage of a Bull Sharks side missing its teenage talent.

Bond University is stacked with AFLW Draft prospects out of the Gold Coast Suns Academy, and with the Suns taking on the Brisbane Lions Academy last weekend, and enter the Coates Talent League this weekend, the QAFL Women’s will be minus those Academy players. It significantly tests the depth of the Bull Sharks, and Coorparoo fully exploited that during the 3.4 (22) to 2.4 (16) win.

Though not scoring in the first term, the Kings managed to hit the front by half-time with a two goals to nil second term, and held a six-point buffer into the final break. In a dour struggle through the last 20 minutes, Coorparoo stepped up to keep that scores almost identical at the final siren, with just a behind scored for both teams in the last quarter.

Skipper Ayla Fetahagic was a standout for the Kings, while Jessica Watts and ball-winning star Lucy Schneider were also standouts in the win kicking a goal each. Having access to AFLW-listed Jacinta Baldwick was a great help for the winners, while Chelsea Chesterfield kicked the Kings’ other goal.

For the Bull Sharks, Isabella Iverach and Isabelle Lowe were the two goalkickers, as talented marking midfielder/forward Ella Calleja stepped up in the absence of key teammates. Courtney Sexton was also an importnat player, while Abbey Bevan and Imogen Evans were among the best.

BOND UNIVERSITY 1.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 2.4 (16)
COORPAROO 0.1 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 3.4 (22)

GOALS:
Bond University: I. Iverach, I. Lowe
Coorparoo: C. Chesterfield, L. Schneider, J. Watts

BEST:
Bond University: E. Calleja, C. Sexton, A. Bevan, C. Taylor, I. Evans
Coorparoo: A. Fetahagic, J. Watts, L. Schneider, G. Ott, J. Baldwick

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In the only other match played thus far, Maroochydore got on the board in the 2024 QAFL Women’s season with a dominant 10.7 (67) to 3.3 (21) victory over Yeronga South Brisbane. Neither team had registered a win coming into the contest, but the Roos proved too good for the Devils, who boosted their percentage by seven per cent despite the 46-point loss. The Roos moved to sixth on the ladder percentage outside the top four.

Chelsea Gillard had a field day for Maroochydore booting the four goals, while Hayley Edgar was the other multiple goalkicker with two for the winners. Midfielder Abbey Rankin was best on ground, while Demi Norton also impressed. For the Devils, skipper Lucy Bellinger kicked a goal and tried hard, while Jamie Howell and Madison Goodwin were among the better players.

STILL TO COME

A massive contest between last year’s preliminary finalists in Aspley Hornets and Southport takes place at Graham Road. Similar to Bond University, both these sides will be missing their Academy talents with Southport particularly filled with underage stars. It gives Aspley the upper hand to get the job done, and go a win clear of both Bond University and Coorparoo in the early stages of the competition. For Southport, the Sharks need a victory to avoid dropping out of the top four.

In the other match tomorrow, fifth placed University of Queensland takes on seventh placed Wilston Grange. Both sides enter the match coming off impressive wins, with the Red Lionesses downing Maroochydore in Round 2, while the Gorillas stunned Coorparoo at Hickey Park. This clash takes place at Leyshon Park with the University of Queensland also boasting the better percentage and will be favourite to win in front of home fans.