FINALS football is in the air, with the QAFL Women’s post-season action set to take place tomorrow afternoon. Ladder leaders Southport take on reigning grand finalists Aspley in the qualifying final at Fankhauser Reserve, while over at Bond University, the reigning premier Bull Sharks host Coorparoo.

SOUTHPORT vs. ASPLEY
Saturday, August 10 @ 2:15pm
Fankhauser Reserve

In a battle of the two sides who have held the top spot at different points of the season, Southport will eye off a grand final spot and makeup for going out in straight sets last year. The Sharks are far stronger across the board heading into the 2024 finals series, with a stack of draftable prospects particular in 2025.

Aspley has plenty of standouts too, and perhaps the most of non-Academy stars of any QAFLW squad, but trying to quell the likes of Georja Davies, Dekota Baron and Alannah Welsh between forward and in Davies’ case, ruck. In fact, the Sharks side is so strong, bottom-age forward Sunny Lappin has been named as an emergency.

Aspley’s State Academy members include midfielder Isabella McDonough who is building back to full fitness now coming off a shoulder injury, while over-age contested marking forward Lilu Hung will look to provide a target alongside the always dangerous Jessica Stallard.

Across the board, the experience of Tiarna Ernst and Courtney Daniec will be crucial for the Hornets on the road trip south, while Kitara Whap-Farrar, Lucia Liessi and Holly O’Flaherty are other players to have come through junior programs in recent years and are really taking control at senior level.

Southport just looks ridiculous across the board though with Zielke Medallist Steph O’Brien leading the charge with Megan Hunt and Kierra Zerafa in fantastic form. Then there is ex-AFLW players such as Selina Priest and Kaylee Kimber, while top-age defender Siobhan Ross will no doubt have a big job to do.

Finals can always bring out upsets, but the Southport lineup would test even the best of state league sides across the country, so it would take a mighty effort from Aspley to topple the Sharks here.

BOND UNIVERSITY vs. COORPAROO
Saturday, August 10 @ 2:15pm
Bond University

Bond University is realistically just the unlucky one missing out of a three-team group that separated itself from the rest of the QAFL Women’s competition. The Bull Sharks will head in as strong favourites over Coorparoo despite losing Imogen Evans back to Collingwood AFLW recently.

It definitely helps they have the best junior player in the country at the moment in Havana Harris, while Mia Salisbury and Annabelle Foat were highly productive for Queensland at the recent national carnival. The names just roll on though with Nyalli Milne making a wing her own through the AFLW Under 18s, while Bronte Parker is another name to keep in mind for next year.

Coorparoo is similar to Aspley in the way it largely relies on its non-Academy players to get the job done, and the Kings looked a class above the rest of the field at times, though face a tough ask against not only Bond Uni, but the other two sides if they do get through.

The quality through midfield helps with Grace Roberts-White and Lucy Schneider more than capable of getting their hands on the ball. Skipper Ayla Fetahagic will lead by example, Jenae Govan causes quite a few headaches, while State Academy member Chloe Gaunt will provide a marking target inside 50. At the longest end of the scale, remember the name Enah Desic in a couple of years time.

Bond University like Southport looks too strong here with its incredible amount of young talent already impressing at senior level. Coorparoo has been strong throughout the season to deservedly make the top four and have nothing to lose which always makes an underdog extra dangerous.