WHILE Round 11 of the QAFL Women’s sees plenty of State Academy members depart their respective lineups for the AFLW Under 18 Championships, the weekend is not without its huge opportunities. Coorparoo takes on Yeronga South Brisbane with the opportunity to all but lock up fourth spot on the ladder.

YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE vs. COORPAROO
Saturday, July 6 @ 4:45pm
Leyshon Park

Coorparoo currently sits at five wins from 10 games and a percentage of 93.33. Though well behind the top three teams – eight points and significant percentage – on the ladder, it is four wins and almost 32 per cent clear of fifth placed Maroochydore, and sixth placed Wilston Grange.

Just four rounds remain in the league, and if the Kings can defeat the winless Devils today and their two nearest rivals lose, then it will mean the only way of missing finals is if one of those two sides wins their last three matches and Coorparoo loses all three.

The Kings are heavy favourites for the match despite making the trip to the Devils’ home patch, with the experience of skipper Ayla Fetahagic and vice-captain Lucy Schneider crucial, as well as the inclusion of Brisbane AFLW premiership skipper Emma Zielke this year. Zielke plays a key role with the Under 18s state program and will play just as big of a role in the navy blue tomorrow.

Watch for midfielder Grace Roberts-White to be another key player around the ball, while for a name to remember in coming years, 2008-born Enah Desic is already playing senior football for the Kings. Jenae Govan has also shown she can step up in big moments.

For the winless Devils, they still have some strong players running around, with co-captains Lucy Bellinger and Camilla Burnett hoping to turn the tide for the home team at some point. Chelsea Winn and Peppa Poultney are other crucial players, though in order to create the upset the Devils will need to find four quarters of consistent football.

Coorparoo should be too strong, and have more on the line, but the Devils will be hungry to break their winless drought and should be closing in on a win sooner rather than later.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Looking to bounce back from their first loss of the 2024 QAFL Women’s season, a dangerous Aspley Hornets outfit hosts Maroochydore at Graham Road. The Hornets should be too good for the Roos who went down 57-8 last time the teams played, but they are coming off three consecutive wins to keep their slim hopes of finals alive.

Southport loses a host of players due to Queensland duties but will still be favoured to win on the road against the University of Queensland. The likes of Mikayla Nurse and league best and fairest winner Steph O’Brien are ones to watch, while Coco Garton is still in the Red Lionesses’ squad.

Meanwhile Bond University hosts Wilston Grange in the other clash, with experienced players on both sides. The extra past AFLW experience of the Bull Sharks should be too much, with others such as Tshinta Kendall and Ella Calleja damaging players, and Jasmine Ware one of a number of Gorillas talents to watch out for.