MORNINGSIDE’S dream QAFL Women’s debut season rolled on over the weekend with its best win yet, defeating reigning grand finalists Bond University by 13 points to remain 12 points clear of third place. The Panthers look primed to repeat Southport’s remarkable debut season from a couple of years ago and surge deep into the finals series, with nine wins on the trot after the 6.4 (40) to 4.3 (27) triumph at Bond University on Saturday.

It was far from easy for the Panthers who took four quarters to finally shrug off the home side, kicking four of the last five goals after trailing at the main break. Bond University held a narrow 3.1 (19) to 2.3 (15) advantage heading into half-time, before the Panthers dug deep to kick the only two goals of the third term and then two goals to one in the final quarter to secure the victory.

A number of Suns and Lions Academy members were in action throughout the contest with Stella Scott (Lions) named in the best with 14 disposals, two marks and three tackles, while QAFLW debutants tall forward Harlee McIlwain (one goal) and small forward Zoe Petrides (two) both hit the scoreboard in a lead-up to the National Championships. Past Queensland representative Laura Roy was impressive once more, racking up a game-high nine clearances, as well as having five tackles and five inside 50s from 20 disposals.

She worked well with her sister Gracie (14 disposals, four marks, four clearances, three hitouts, five tackles and four inside 50s, while Isabella Levine (20 disposals, five clearances, five tackles, four inside 50s and a goal) also found plenty of the ball in the outstanding victory.

For the Bull Sharks, Annabelle Foat (17 disposals, two marks, two clearances and four tackles) and Aleah Stringer (14 disposals, two clearances, four tackles and two inside 50s) were lively, while over-age ruck Millar Brosnan-Ball continued her fantastic season with 21 disposals, four marks, 20 hitouts, five clearances and five tackles in the loss. Lexi Samuels (19 disposals, four marks and three tackles) and Shannon Nolan (18 disposals, three marks, three clearances and five tackles).

BOND UNIVERSITY 2.0 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 4.3 (27)
MORNINGSIDE 2.3 | 2.3 | 4.4 | 6.4 (40)

GOALS:
Bond University: K. Blattman, M. Evans, B. Moyes, C. Taylor
Morningside: Z. Petrides, H. McIlwain, A. Blyton, I. LEvine, V. Winstanley

BEST:
Bond University: E. Reeves, A. Stringer, M. Brosnan-Ball, K. Blattman, C. Taylor
Morningside: L. Roy, G. Roy, C. McDonnell, G. Liell-Cock, S. Scott

AROUND THE GROUNDS

University of Queensland completely obliterated Yeronga South Brisbane in a 164-point victory on the weekend with high upside forward Aiyana Pritchard (16 disposals, four marks, four tackles, four inside 50s and five goals) starring for the Red Lions. Edie McCabe and Monique Piunti also slammed home five goals in the huge victory, while Freya Ross (23 disposals, three goals) turned up for her Queensland campaign. Best on ground belonged to Farrandai Hopkins however, with the youngster racking up a jaw-dropping 21 inside 50s from 33 disposals and 11 clearances.

Southport’s similarly dominant year rolled on as well with a 15.11 (101) to 4.2 (26) triumph over Wilston Grange. Suns Academy members returned to the Sharks and were instrumental with Sunny Lappin (20 disposals, three marks, six clearances, five tackles, four inside 50s and a goal), Mikayla Nurse (16 disposals, four inside 50s and a goal) and debutant Sienna Burnham (12 disposals, two marks and two tackles) all great.

The standout was top five pick Georja Davies who dominated through the ruck and up forward with 16 disposals, three marks, 20 hitouts, three clearances, six tackles and three goals. Lions Academy bottom-ager Mia Geere (23 disposals, five marks, four clearances and a goal) was a star for the Gorillas.

Coorparoo got the better of Aspley Hornets with a 6.6 (42) to 3.4 (22) win at Giffin Park. Chelsea Winn (23 disposals, six clearances, seven tackles and four inside 50s) lead the way for the Kings with double bottom-agers Edie Fraser and Indiana Scheffler (two goals) both busy. Kaitlyn Day (21 disposals, four marks, seven clearances, five tackles, two inside 50s and two goals) was the best for the Hornets in defeat.

In the other game, Moreton Bay Lions accounted for Maroochydore by 10 points, 6.4 (40) to 4.6 (30) in just the Lions’ second victory over their inaugural year. Jessica Davy booted three goals from 21 touches to be a standout for the Lions, while Charis Tarr (23 disposals, four marks, three clearances and five inside 50s) also tried hard. Best on ground in a defeat was Maroochydore’s Molly Ferguson with the bottom-age Lions Academy star producing a dazzling 34 touches, seven clearances, five tackles and eight inside 50s in the victory.