A NEW ladder leader has emerged as premiership favourites were tested and a top-four hopeful was shocked in a big round of QAFLW with only two more rounds remaining in the regular season.

With a lot at stake in each contest, we have highlighted the top performers around the grounds in Round 12.

>> SCROLL for the Round 12 ladder

Wilston Grange 7.10 (52) d Yeronga South Brisbane 1.2 (8)

BEST:
Wilston Grange: K. Matenga, M. Geere, G. O’Donnell, N. Celebre, H. Finning, K. Fletcher
Yeronga South Brisbane: C. Millen, C. Burnett, A. Lunson, E. Hill, J. Howell, L. Bellinger

GOALS:
Wilston Grange: N. Celebre 2, L. Shackleton 2, S. Hamilton, H. Jones, J. Ware
Yeronga South Brisbane: S. Wheeler

BREAKDOWN:

Wilston Grange were tested in the first half, battled hard by Yeronga South Brisbane who were facing a 10-point deficit at half time. The Gorillas were able to flex their muscles in the second half, kicking five goals to zero to blitz the Devils and keep their top four hopes alive.

STANDOUT: Mia Geere (Wilston Grange)

The double bottom-ager was electric once again for the Gorillas, working hard in transition to accumulate on the run as well as impact at the centre stoppages. Geere finished with an impactful 26 disposals, which included seven clearances.

OTHERS:

Lauren Shackleton and Naomi Celebre both hit the scoreboard with two goals each for the Gorillas, while Keyshia Mantega worked hard to finish with 18 disposals. Chelsea Winn was once again the prominent ball-winner for the Devils, finishing with 27 disposals and eight clearances.

Coorparoo 1.8 (14) def. by University of Queensland 4.6 (30)

BEST:
Coorparoo: G. Roberts-White, E. Desic, M. Muir, S. Nunn, A. Fetahagic, J. Watts
University of Queensland: L. Mason, J. Henning, L. McCormick, L. Roy, A. Moyle, G. Simpson

GOALS:
Coorparoo: A. Fetahagic
University of Queensland: G. Simpson 2, B. Condren, L. McCormick

BREAKDOWN:

Inaccuracy hurt the Kings, who finished the game 1.8, but fell behind too far to overcome a 25-point deficit at three-quarter time. University of Queensland was strong defensively to keep the Kings goalless with one quarter remaining.

STANDOUT: Laura Roy (University of Queensland)

Roy was prolific in and around the contest, impacting in most areas with her physicality, quick thinking, and efficiency with ball in hand. She finished with 15 disposals, seven of those clearances, as well as six tackles.

OTHERS:

Harriet Knijff was prominent with 14 disposals for the Lions, while teammate Lauren Middleton brought the pressure with nine tackles. Ayla Fetahagic led the way for the Kings with 20 disposals and a goal.

Aspley 4.7 (31) def. by Bond University 5.9 (39)

BEST:
Aspley: L. Tyson, E. McNiven, J. Kawa, E. McNaughton, J. Davy, C. Daniec
Bond University: C. Landwehr, S. Nolan, E. Calleja, J. Blair, C. Sexton, S. Balcombe

GOALS:
Aspley: E. McNaughton 3, L. Tyson
Bond University: A. Bevan, I. Davies, S. Hewett, T. Kendall, C. Landwehr

BREAKDOWN:

Bond University brought down the Hornets in an enthralling contest at South Pine Sporting Complex, which saw the Hornets drop to second on the ladder. Bond University got off to a flying start, three goals to zero in the first quarter, but the Hornets clawed their way back, reducing the margin to four points at three-quarter time. Neither side could convert in the final term, but the Bullsharks did enough to hold on for the win.

STANDOUT: Jessica Davy (Aspley)

Despite her side going down, Davy was prolific all day with her clearance work, willing the ball forward when possible and applying pressure around the contest. Davy finished with 30 disposals, nine clearances, and six tackles.

OTHERS:

Shannon Nolan produced another consistent performance, finishing with 28 disposals for the Bullsharks, while Courtney Sexton applied the pressure with 12 tackles. Emma McNaughton was big for the Hornets up forward, finishing with three goals.

Maroochydore 1.3 (9) def. by Southport 4.6 (30)

BEST:
Maroochydore: A. Oswald, A. Rankin, D. Norton, M. Marshall, A. Tognazzini, J. Epstein
Southport: S. O’Brien, T. Brown, K. Kimber, M. Fogas, K. Zerafa, M. Baldwin

GOALS:
Maroochydore: L. McEachen
Southport: K. Zerafa 2, M. Baldwin, H. Davies

BREAKDOWN:

Southport’s class was able to restrict the Roos, who were kept scoreless after halftime. Southport did not score heavily themselves but kept the buffer too large to overcome, dominating in possession to keep the ball within reach.

STANDOUT: Kierra Zerafa (Southport)

Zerafa’s offensive display helped the Sharks build their buffer, finishing with two goals and 23 disposals in one of her best outings of the year. Her pressure was high with seven tackles and her work rate rewarded her with a lot of uncontested footy around the ground.

OTHERS:

Steph O’Brien was physically imposing again for the Sharks, applying nine tackles, working herself into the game with three clearances and 25 disposals by the end of it. For the Roos, Jya Epstein applied herself with 18 disposals and three tackles.

QAFLW LADDER

1. Southport (10-2, 295.74%)
2. Aspley (10-2, 250.00%)
3. Bond University (9-3, 234.02%)
4. Coorparoo (6-6, 95.50%)

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5. Wilston Grange (5-7, 59.96%)
6. Universtity of QLD (4-8, 87.18%)
7. Maroochydore (4-8, 56.46%)
8. Yeronga South Brisbane (0-12, 21.69%)