MORNINGSIDE has kept in touch with the top three after knocking off Coorparoo by 18 points at Giffin Park on Saturday. The reigning grand finalists defeated the previous ladder leaders who are now just four points ahead of the fifth placed Panthers. Here’s how Round 12 of the QAFL Women’s played out over the weekend.

Southport 13.15 (93) def. Maroochydore 3.3 (21)

Southport’s winning ways rolled on despite an early challenge from the struggling Maroochydore. The reigning back-to-back premiers only lead by seven points at quarter time, but opened up the floodgates after that, booting 12 goals to three to run out 72-point winners at Fankhauser Reserve. The win saw them increase their percentage gap on Bond University at the top of the ladder, while Maroochydore remains in ninths spot.

While Southport unsurprisingly had a stack of contributors, it was Ella Maurer, Steph O’Brien and Sienna Burnham who were dominant around the coalface, having 31, 25 and 25 disposals respectively, while combining for 25 clearances between them. Southport won that battle 37-13, while Tayla Christensen and Caitlin Miller each booted three goals in the win. Over-ager Sophie Schulze (30 disposals, five tackles) was the standout in defeat, while Britney Murray (16 disposals, nine tackles and four inside 50s) tried hard.

Aspley 10.14 (74) def. Broadbeach 1.1 (7)

Aspley’s dream of a late finals chase remained alive after disposing of first-season side Broadbeach by 67 points at Graham Road. The Hornets never looked like losing, piling on 17 scoring shots to one in the first half, and then keeping the Cats to just one behind after half-time to win with a percentage boosting margin. The result meant Aspley remains just eight points adrift of the finals spots, while for Broadbeach, it sits in eighth.

Ex-AFLW player Ella Smith suffered from leather poisoning for the Hornets, tottalling up 39 disposals, as well as seven marks, seven clearances, six tackles and nine inside 50s. She was well supported by Eva Downie (25 disposals, six tackles, nine inside 50s and a goal) and promising double bottom-ager Summer Carriage (18 disposals, three marks, four tackles, five inside 50s and a goal). Jessica Stallard (four goals) was the key target up forward with 14 disposals and three contested marks from her seven. Alicia Withers (18 disposals, four marks and five tackles) and Jasmine Single (17 disposals, three marks and three tackles) battled hard for the Cats.

University of Queensland 0.3 (3) def. by Bond University 12.7 (79)

Bond University flexed its muscles with a commanding 76-point win over University of Queensland, keeping the Red Lionesses goalless for the entire match. The Bull Sharks booted at least three goals a quarter for the first three quarters, and finished off well to remain percentage behind their rivals Southport at the top of the ladder. University of Queensland is in seventh, but out of the finals race given it is 20 points behind and four rounds remain in the season.

Shannon Nolan was enormous for the Bull Sharks, bringing her own ball to the game and finishing with 38 disposals, six marks, 11 clearances, six tackles, six inside 50s and a goal in the massive victory. Evy Reeves (24 disposals, six marks, four clearances, five tackles and two goals) was also busy, while Tegan Williams converted three goals working well with Kendra Blattman (two). Luka Yoshida-Martin (22 disposals, five clearances and six tackles) was a standout for the losers, with Sophie Dunne and Elka Barnett also finding their fair share of the ball in defeat.

Moreton Bay 0.2 (2) def. by Wilston Grange 21.17 (143)

Wilston Grange piled on the goals and the percentage with a 141-point thrashing of league cellar dwellers Moreton Bay. The Gorillas lead by 26 points at quarter time, had stretched it to 54 by the main break, and then put the foot down with 13 goals to nil in the second half. The victory and percentage boost means the Gorillas are hovering around the double chance spots, in fourth placed just four points off Coorparoo but with a sizeable advantage in percentage.

Keyshia Matenga (30 disposals, nine marks, six clearances, four inside 50s and one goal) and Zimra Hussain (30 disposals, six marks, four inside 50s and two goals) both racked up the ball and hit the scoreboard. Speaking of hitting the scoreboard, Naomi Celebre slammed home 7.4 from seven marks and 17 disposals, while Summer Hamilton and Kadie Fletcher each booted three majors in the stampede. Layla Collins (12 clearances from 23 disposals and two goals) was also phenomenal. While there was not much to cheer about for Moreton Bay, Tahlia Benson (16 disposals, four tackles) was a shining light.

Coorparoo 4.6 (30) def. by Morningside 6.12 (48)

In the game of the round, the Panthers fired off four goals to one in a fast opening half to build an important lead. While the Kings did hit back with three goals to one in the third term, they could not catch Morningside who got up by three goals and moved to four points and percentage behind the Kings who narrowly occupy a double chance spot.

Isabella Levine (21 disposals, three clearances, 11 tackles and a goal) lead all-comers from the winners, as sisters Gracie and Laura Roy had 37 disposals, 10 tackles and 10 inside 50s between them, as the former also racked up seven clearances. Coco Garton impressed through the ruck with 17 hitouts from 16 disposals and seven marks – five contested – in an important display. Ayla Fetahagic (31 disposals, eight marks – two contested – five inside 50s and a goal) was superb for the Kings, while Dakota Villiva and Grace Roberts-White worked hard in defeat.