WILSTON Grange has moved to outright fifth on the QAFL Women’s ladder after a well-deserved win over Aspley Hornets in a battle of the finals hopefuls. The Gorillas lead by 18 points at the final change, but got an almighty scare in the last, eventually holding on to win, 4.6 (30) to 3.7 (25).

Placed fifth and sixth coming into the Round 11 match, both sides are hoping to snatch the last post-season spot given the gap between the top four and the rest. Both teams had up-and-down formlines and in the end despite a fast start from the Gorillas, it eventuated into a nail-biter.

Wilston Grange kept Aspley to just two behinds throughout the first half, while maintaining a 14-point lead at half-time. That grew to a flat three goals thanks to a 2.1 to 1.3 third quarter, before the Hornets booted the only two goals of the fourth to cut the final deficit to just five points at Hickey Park.

Keyshia Matenga was named best on ground for the Gorillas with 18 disposals, five marks, three clearances, three tackles, seven inside 50s and a goal, while Summer Hamilton (17 disposals, three marks, three tackles, three inside 50s and a goal) and Tshinta Kendall (17 disposals, five tackles, three inside 50s and a goal) also impressed while hitting the scoreboard.

Siobhan Senior had a match-high 25 disposals, as well as six marks – three contested – three clearances, four tackles and kicked a goal, running at a disposal efficiency of 80 per cent throughout the match. That was part of the Gorillas running at an elite 75.6 per cent disposal efficiency. Meanwhile Grace Osborne and Mackenzie Findlay combined for 24 tackles from 38 disposals in the win.

For Aspley, Maddison Tallis was named best-on by her coaches with 11 of her 12 disposals being effective,, while also winning most of them under pressure. Emma MacDonald and Anna van de Wiel also used the ball effectively, while Kaitlyn Day (21 disposals, two marks, six clearances, nine tackles, three inside 50s and a goal) was prolific. Lucia Liessi and Holly O’Flaherty also found plenty of the pill.

The QAFL Women’s has a league-bye next weekend with the State Game taking place against Tasmania.

WILSTON GRANGE 2.2 | 2.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 (30)
ASPLEY HORNETS 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 3.7 (25)

GOALS:
Wilston Grange: S. Hamilton, T. Kendall, K. Matenga, S. Senior
Aspley Hornets: K. Day, J. McMillan, J. Stallard

BEST:
Wilston Grange: K. Matenga, S. Hamilton, J. Ware, T. Kendall, S. Senior
Aspley Hornets: M. Tallis, E. MacDonald, K. Day, L. Liessi, A. van de Wiel

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Southport’s unstoppable season rolled on with another dominant win, this time over the University of Queensland, 14.14 (98) to 1.1 (7). Tayla Gregory had a best on ground performance of 24 disposals, seven marks, 24 hitouts, four clearances, three tackles, six inside 50s and four goals for the Sharks, while Maighan Fogas and Madeleine Watt were also prolific. Bottom-age Queensland talent Freya Ross stood out for the Red Lionesses.

Morningside Panthers bounced back from their first loss of the season to knock off fourth placed Coorparoo by 16 points at Jack Esplen Oval, 6.6 (42) to 4.2 (26). Sisters Gracie (30 disposals, eight clearances, five tackles and six inside 50s) and Laura Roy (23 disposals, three marks, seven clearances, four tackles, four inside 50s and a goal) were outstanding once more, while Chelsea Winn had a big day out with 30 disposals, 11 clearances, three tackles and five inside 50s.

Bond University made light work of Maroochydore with a 12.13 (85) to 1.2 (8) victory at home, as Ella Calleja produced a mammoth stat-stuffing performance of 30 touches, 11 marks – three contested – four clearances, 10 inside 50s and three goals. Shannon Nolan was also lively, while Lions Academy talent Sophie Schulze was dangerous, picking up a team-high 22 disposals in the loss.

In the other remaining game, Moreton Bay Lions picked up their biggest win of their inaugural season with a 16.14 (110) to 1.2 (8) shellacking of lowly Yeronga South Brisbane. The win helped the Lions leapfrog Maroochydore into eighth, with Tahlia Benson (23 disposals, four marks, four tackles and three goals) and Jessica Davy (21 disposals, four marks, three tackles, four inside 50s and three goals) both impacting on the scoreboard.