TWO powerhouses of Queensland future draft prospects go head-to-head in the 2024 QAFL Women’s Grand Final. Both Shark-affiliated sides in Southport and Bond University are the two teams remaining alive in the competition, and will face-off on Sunday to determine the premier.

DETAILS

Sunday, August 25 @ 2:30pm AEST
People First Stadium
Live streamed via AFLQ YouTube page

HOW THEY GOT HERE

The two QAFL Women’s teams with the most State Academy members have reached the decider, having finished first and third at the end of hte home and away season. Last year Southport also finished as minor premiers, but suffered defeat at the hands of the Bull Sharks, then went down to Aspley in the preliminary final for a straight sets exit.

Bond University is coming off a breakthrough premiership after a series of near-misses in QAFLW Grand Finals, having defeated both Southport and Aspley in last year’s decider. Fast forward 12 months and the Bull Sharks had to go the long route to the big dance, defeating Coorparoo in the first final, then getting past Aspley in a nail-biter last weekend.

2024 HEAD-TO-HEAD

Round 2: Bond University 6.8 (44) defeated Southport 3.6 (24)
Round 8: Southport 8.6 (54) defeated Bond University 4.4 (28)

The teams traded blows at different points in the season, with the Bull Sharks getting the early advantage back in Round 2 with a 20-point win, before Southport successfully sought out revenge back at Fankhauser Reserve with a 26-point victory.

In Round 2, a full-strength Bull Sharks lineup overcame an equally stacked Southport side, with the teams having eight State Academy members between them. Six rounds later, and Bond University missing its AFLW Academy members suffered defeat, but also had Collingwood AFLW member Imogen Evans who has since returned to the black and white.

ONES TO WATCH

The ruck battle is the must-watch feature clash of the weekend. Queensland’s top two stars from the AFLW Under 18 Championships go head-to-head in potential pick one Havana Harris and top five bottom-ager Georja Davies. Harris competed against far smaller opponents in the preliminary final, so will have a great battle against the equally athletically equipped Davies. The winner of the battle will go a long way to deciding the match.

Southport’s forwardline is arguably the most dangerous in the competition, boasting bottom-agers Dekota Baron and Alannah Welsh who are among the better draft prospects next year as well. Bond Uni’s defence that held up gallantly including skipper Paris Lightfoot, Jemma Blair and tall Jasmyn Davidson will have big jobs containing the Shark forwards.

Through the middle, Kierra Zerafa has enjoyed a huge first season, while the versatile Steph O’Brien has long being one of the best players in the competition. Mia Salisbury will look to continue her great form on-ball, while Nyalli Milne provides speed off a wing and helping out in defence. Up forward, Leah Kaslar provides a strong marking target, while Ella Calleja and Harris are both aerial specialists.

Bottom-age Suns Academy member Bronte Parker provides great pressure inside the forward 50, which is where Maighan Fogas and Siobhan Ross will likely need to be wary of the ground level players as well as the marking targets. Throw in the AFLW experience of Megan Hunt, Selina Priest and Kaylee Kimber, as well as the leadership of Rianna Schipp and Southport deserves favouritism in the contest.

PREDICTION

Southport has been the top team when it mattered most towards the end of the season, and with a side so strong that talented bottom-ager Sunny Lappin cannot get a look-in – named as emergency – it speaks volumes of just how good the Sharks are. In saying that, given Annabelle Foat is another bottom-age young gun named as emergency for Bond University, the Bull Sharks are equally stacked with talent. Expect it to be another nail-biter with the Bull Sharks to start strong, but the extra rest should do Southport good in the finish and they get up by a kick.