SOUTHPORT has secured its place in the 2024 QAFL Women’s Grand Final for the second time in three years after running out 22-point victors over Aspley in the qualifying final ove the weekend. The Sharks made the big dance back in their inaugural 2022 season, but fell to University of Queensland after extra time, so will aim to go one better.

Putting the heartbreak of a straight sets exit behind them, the Sharks went about their business in clinical fashion against the Hornets, never giving them a chance to work into the game. By quarter time the score of 32-0 off the back of a dominant quarter, and while the Hornets managed to stem the flow after that, there was no catching the home side.

Aspley kicked its first goal in the second term, and would kick the last three goals of the match while keeping the Sharks to just one behind in the final quarter, but it was a case of too little, too late. In front of home fans who had witnessed back-to-back finals losses 12 months ago after winning the minor premiership, the Sharks exacted revenge on the side that had knocked them out in the preliminary final stage and now earned a week off ahead of the decider.

Bottom-age talent Alannah Welsh was the difference. The versatile utility who was coming off representative duties for Queensland played forward and slotted four majors for the Sharks, the only multiple goalkicker on the ground. She along with fellow bottom-age star Georja Davies were phenomenal, while the best on ground in Southport’s losing grand final – Steph O’Brien also impressed in the win to see her play out another decider.

There was not a lot between the sides all game other than the score, with mostly the Sharks’ contested work starting out. Southport had 29 more contested possessions (125-96) and clunked six more contested marks (9-3) despite an overall mark differential of minus-five. Their ability to hit-up targets inside 50 led to better looks on goal, and despite being smashed around the ground at stopppages (6-16), made the most of set plays from throw ins to win those (11-7).

Welsh finished with 18 disposals, six marks – pne contested – three tackles and four goals, while Davies had 20 hitouts to go with nine disposals, four marks – two contested – and three tackles. O’Brien worked hard alongside the likes of Kierra Zerafa (16 disposals, fiev clearances), Emma Suckling (22 disposals, four clearances) and Madeleine Watt (23 disposals, three clearances). Kaylee Kimber (13 disposals, four marks) also stood tall and was named among the best.

For the Hornets, Tiarna Ernst was critical behind the ball, while Jasmine Kawa battled hard agianst stiff opposition in the ruck en route to 19 touches, five marks – two contested – seven clearances and 166 hitouts to take the honours. Jessica Davy (17 disposals, three marks and four clearanes) and Emma Pittman (22 disposals, three marks) were others among the best for the Hornets.

SOUTHPORT 5.2 | 6.3 | 7.4 | 7.5 (47)
ASPLEY 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 4.1 (25)

GOALS:
Southport: A. Welsh 4, M. Baldwin, T. Gregory, S. O’Brien
Aspley: J. Davy, J. Kawa, L. Tyson, A. van de Wiel

BEST:
Southport: A. Welsh, K. Kimber, G. Davies, E. Suckling, A. Pluples, S. O’Brien
Aspley: T. Ernst, J. Davy, E. Pittman, J. Kawa, A. van de Wiel