ALL EIGHT QAFL Women’s clubs will head to South Pine Sporting Complex tomorrow as part of a massive day of action. The quartet of matches starting and 10am and running until 6pm at the venue means coaches and fans alike will get a great look at each of the other title contenders, as well as their future opponents in the final two rounds.
Wilston Grange (6th) vs. Yeronga South Brisbane (8th)
With three rounds remaining, the Gorillas can mathematically make finals, but would need to win their remaining three games, while Coorparoo lost its last three. It should get the job done here against a Yeronga South Brisbane side that remains winless from 11 matches, though the Devils gave Coorparoo a scare in across the first three quarters. If they can do that again, then they can put pressure on Wilston Grange.
One of the top 2008-born talents in Mia Geere has been named for the Gorillas after representing Queensland in the AFLW Under 18 Championships last week, with the likes of Keyshia Matenga and Kadie Fletcher also smart players who can do damage. Peppa Poultney stood out last round for the Devils, with Lucy Bellinger and Madison Goodwin among the others to watch.
Coorparoo (4th) vs. University of Queensland (7th)
Finals can officially be locked in with a Kings win here, as Coorparoo looks to continue on from its strong last quarter against the Devils to come away with a victory against the Red Lionesses. A percentage gap of 40 to its nearest rival means the Kings will be too far ahead that way, but three straight losses opens the door for either Wilston Grange or Maroochydore.
Enah Desic has shown promising signs for the future as a double bottom-ager, while over-ager Grace Roberts-White has enjoyed a strong season back focusing at QAFLW level. Eva Sartor is another youngster to keep an eye on running out for the Red Lionesses, while the seventh placed side will be pleased to have Laura Roy back in the side.
Aspley (1st) vs Bond University (3rd)
The match of the day, the two top three premiership contenders go at it in the third game from 2pm. Still minus the majority of their Academy players given they will represent Queensland on the same day, the Bull Sharks will remain a threat to the red-hot Aspley. In saying that, the Hornets have a really strong squad of mature-age talent outside the state juniors, which is why the Hornets are on top. Only one loss in the first 11 rounds and the ladder leaders bounced back from that last round. Bond University needs to win for a genuine shot at the double-chance though.
The Bull Sharks still have a stack of experienced players in Leah Kaslar, Jasmyn Davidson and Tahlia Meyer, while Ella Calleja and Tshinta Kendall have drawn interest from AFLW clubs in the past. The red-hot form of Lucia Liessi has been ultra-impressive for the Hornets and she was against terrific in her 50th game last week, while Tiarna Ernst and Kitara Whap-Farrar are among the stars the Bull Sharks will need to keep tabs on.
Maroochydore (5th) vs. Southport (3rd)
Like Bond University, a stack of Southport’s top young stars will be representing Queensland on the same day, so will be missing from the clash. The Sharks host a Roos side that went down last round following three consecutive wins, but must win their final three matches – while Coorparoo loses its three – in order to be an unlikely shot at finals. The 4pm clash will close out a fantastic day of action at South Pine Sporting Complex.
The Sharks have some quality young players running around such as over-agers Kierra Zerafa and Ebony Milne, while the likes of bottom-ager Mikayla Nurse and experienced ball-winners Steph O’Brien and Megan Hunt also there to lead by example. Lataya De Pauw is an Under 16s future talent for the Roos, while Demi Norton and Abbey Rankin play key roles for Maroochydore.