THEY say a week is a long time in football, and that could not be more true following Aspley Hornets’ seven-point win over Coorparoo in Round 15 of the QAFL Women’s competition. A week after the Hornets were well beaten by Bond University and the Kings toppled the previous unbeaten Southport in torrential rain, it was Coorparoo on the receiving end of a tight loss as Aspley produced an accurate 8.1 (49) to 6.6 (42) win at Graham Road.

The result was critical for the Hornets’ finals chances as they currently sixth but far from safe. The QAFL Women’s finals series was extended to a top six this year with the addition of two new sides, but just four points – and a percentage deficit – separates Aspley from University of Queensland in seventh spot heading into the last round next week.

Aspley’s finals hopes looked on the ropes through the first half when Coorparoo kicked three goals to one in the second term to lead by 14 points at the main break. Fortunately for the home fans, their side wrestled back momentum with four straight goals to 1.2 in the premiership quarter and took the lead.

The Kings were not done though, with a major in the last minute of the third quarter cutting the deficit back to two points after four unanswered Hornets goals. A settler by young gun Lataya De Pauw in the first five minutes gave the Hornets another moment to breathe, and extended the lead out to as much as 13 points in the last eight minutes.

Though double bottom-age jet Edie Fraser got on the board to give Coorparoo a slim chance by cutting it back to seven points the difference, it would ultimately not be enough and the Kings went down by just seven points. Jessica Stallard (three goals) and Kaitlyn Day (two were among the five individual goalkickers for the home side, as the Kings had six featured including 2009-born pair Indiana Scheffler and Fraser who are stars of the future.

Aspley dominated the hitouts (51-21) and also had a plus-six differential in the clearances, but funnily enough, Coorparoo peppered the inside 50s with a massive 43 to 26. Inaccuracy and an ability to connect within range hurt the Kings, as the Hornets scored greater than one every third entries thanks to eight marks inside 50.

Jesse McMillan racked up 31 disposals, three marks, four clearances, six tackles and six inside 50s in the win, going toe-for-toe across the ground with inside bull Grace Roberts-White (30 disposals, three clearances, nine tackles, four inside 50s and a goal) who was outstanding for Coorparoo. Both players had support as Lucia Liessi (20 disposals, seven clearances) worked at the feet of dominant ruck Monique Dufty (18 disposals, 40 hitouts and three clearances).

Stallard (13 disposals, five marks – two contested – and four tackles) provided more than just her three snags, while Day (18 disposals, five tackles and five inside 50s) also contributed beyond her two majors. Holly O’Flaherty (17 disposals, three clearances, eight tackles and three inside 50s) and Emma Pittman (16 disposals, two marks, three clearances and four tackles) were also prolific for the Hornets.

Meanwhile riding shotgun with Roberts-White was Lucy Schneider (17 disposals, five tackles and four inside 50s) who provided the transition, while Fraser finished with 17 disposals herself ip forward. Scheffler kicked 1.4 in a performance that could have been more, but loomed as a dangerous target. Renee Teys (16 disposals, 12 hitouts, seven tackles and three inside 50s) battled hard in a tough day through the ruck, while Chelsea Winn had an equal team-high six clearances to go with 15 disposals and five inside 50s.

The last round sees Aspley Hornets taking on last placed Yeronga South Brisbane that should essentially guarantee them a finals place given the Devils are winless from the first 15 rounds. However the Hornets still need to get the job done, with University of Queensland taking on finals-bound Wilston Grange up at Hickey Park next week. In a script that could not be better written, Southport and Morningside face-off for the minor premiership, while Coorparoo and Bond University clash to determine third spot.

ASPLEY 1.0 | 2.1 | 6.1 | 8.1 (49)
COORPAROO 1.2 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 6.6 (42)

GOALS:
Aspley: J. Stallard 3, K. Day 2, L. De Pauw, L. Thompson, R. Vetter
Coorparoo: C. Chesterfield, R. Clancy-Dillon, E. Fraser, T. Nissen, G. Roberts-White, I. Scheffler

BEST:
Aspley: J. McMillan. M. Dufty, A. van de Wiel, L. Liessi, H. O’Flaherty
Coorparoo: G. Roberts-White, L. Schneider, R. Teys, C. Winn, E. Fraser

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Southport bounced back from its first loss of the season with a commanding 64-point victory over Wilston Grange at Fankhauser Reserve. Olivia Meagher (30 disposals, six marks, five inside 50s and three goals) starred, while Kierra Zerafa and Steph O’Brien both hit the scoreboard and took control around the clearances. For the Gorillas, Tshinta Kendall was her side’s sole multiple goalkicker with two.

Morningside Panthers ensured they have a seat at the table to contest the minor premiership with a dominant 135-point shellacking of Yeronga South Brisbane at Leyshon Park. Isabella Levine had a day out with 36 disposals and 15 clearances, while Annabel Peacock (29 disposals, five clearances, four inside 50s and a goal) was also impressive. Neither will get the three votes though considering the video game numbers from Laura Roy who slammed home 10 goals from 28 disposals and eight marks – three contested – while Lucy Bellinger kicked a casual six.

Bond University continued its form looking to snatch third spot, rolling past Maroochydore by 85 points. Kendra Blattman booted 3.3 from 23 disposals and seven marks – two contested – in the big win, with Charlotte Taylor also slotting three majors. Ella Calleja (27 disposals, six clearances and seven inside 50s) was brilliant throughout, while Lexi Samuels also played a starring role for the Bull Sharks. Roxy Beuzeville was best on for the Roos, while Sophie Schulze also impressed.

In the other game, University of Queensland held Moreton Bay Lions scoreless en route to a 12.14 (86) to 0.0 (0) triumph at home. Monique Piunti slotted five goals from 19 disposals and four marks – two contested – while Farrandai Hopkins notched up a game-high 27 disposals, 10 clearances and 11 inside 50s to keep the pressure on the Lions’ defence. Former Australian netballer Gabi Simpson had her moments with 16 disposals and six inside 50s, while Jessica Davy managed 19 disposals in a tough loss.