FINALS football arrives in the QAFLW this weekend, with Bond University hosting Aspley and Morningside welcoming Wilston Grange in two elimination finals. The equation is simple: lose and the season is over; win and a semi-final against the other elimination-final victor awaits. Minor premiers Southport and second-placed Coorparoo sit out the opening week before their qualifying final in week two.

QAFL Women’s

ELIMINATION FINALS FIXTURE:

Morningside vs. Wilston Grange | Elimination Final 2 | Saturday August 15, 2:00pm @ Jack Esplen Oval
Bond University vs. Aspley | Elimination Final 1 | Saturday August 15, 3:45pm @ Bond University Oval

Third-placed Bond University hosts sixth-placed Aspley in Elimination Final 1, with the Bull Sharks returning home after a commanding 53-point win over Broadbeach to close out the regular season. Annabelle Foat, Tegan Williams and Millar Brosnan-Ball were all influential through the middle last week, while Kendra Blattman kicked four goals to underline the Bull Sharks’ capacity to punish sides on the scoreboard. Bond University has the home-ground advantage and the deeper finals experience, but a side of its calibre will know that means little once the ball is bounced.

Aspley comes into the post-season with enormous momentum after a 58-point win over Maroochydore, led by Ella Smith in a remarkable 47-disposal, 15-clearance performance. Eva Downie provided terrific support, while Niamh McCarthy was damaging in attack and Summer Carriage continued her impressive season. The Hornets will need to match Bond’s physicality around the contest and prevent Blattman from getting clean looks inside 50. It shapes as an absorbing midfield battle, but the Bull Sharks should have enough class and composure at home. Bond University by 18 points.

Elimination Final 2 sees Morningside host Wilston Grange at Jack Esplen Oval, just three weeks after the Panthers recorded a 28-point win over the Gorillas at the same venue. Morningside enters finals in strong form after a 49-point victory over UQ locked in fourth place, with Isabella Levine, Stella Scott and Kaitlyn Day all catching the eye. Up forward, National Draft Combine invitee Zoe Petrides kicked three goals last week, while fellow Combine invitee Ella Gibson gives the Panthers a major advantage in the ruck.

Wilston Grange proved against Coorparoo in the final round that it can match the very best, falling only seven points short in a determined performance. The Gorillas will lean on the contested work of Layla Collins and Mackenzie Findlay, while Zimmorlei Farquharson looms as a dangerous target after her three-goal haul last week. The Panthers’ recent head-to-head win and home-ground advantage make them favourites, but the Gorillas have enough experience and defensive pressure to make this a far closer contest. Morningside by 14 points.

Both winners will advance to the semi-finals, where they will face one another for the right to keep their premiership hopes alive. For the four teams on Saturday, though, the focus is solely on surviving the first do-or-die test of the QAFLW post-season.