REIGNING QAFL Women’s premiers University of Queensland is on the board on season 2023, defeating reigning wooden spooners Wilston Grange by 15 points at Hickey Park on Saturday afternoon. After starting the season 0-3, the Red Lionesses were finally able to sing the song thanks to an outstanding first half that set up the 5.9 (39) to 3.6 (24) win.

The Gorillas came into the game as favourites having won in Round 1 before dropping their past two matches, while the vastly different Red Lionesses were yet to crack through for a win, having suffered through three consecutive defeats. That was soon to change though as the visitors piled on the pressure early and were able to translate that onto the scoreboard in the first half.

Having eight scoring shots to one, the Red Lionesses raced out to a 3.5 (23) to 0.1 (1) lead, an advantage that to 33 points by half-time. At the main break, the Gorillas had failed to kick a goal with a wasteful 0.3 (3) to their name, while their opponents had kicked 5.6 (36) to be in a commanding position.

That changed in the second half as the home team started to get reward for effort, kicking the only three goals of the second half to make a contest of it. Unfortunately it would be a case of too little, too late, but as a consolation prize, Wilston Grange booted 3.3 to the Red Lionesses’ 0.3, keeping their opponents goalless in the second half.

In an evenly poised match overall, the Gorillas actually had more disposals (218-211) and marks (50-37) while winning the tackle count (43-26). Unfortunately they were beaten in the contested possessions (151-129) allowing the Red Lionesses – lead by Ava Seton – to take control the inside 50s count, 41-24. Seton racked up a match-high 34 disposals, as well as six marks – two contested and five intercept – four tackles, six inside 50s and a goal.

The teenager had 19 more disposals than any other player on the ground, but fellow youngster Kadie Fletcher was lively with 13 disposals, five marks, two clearances, three tackles, five inside 50s and a goal. Charlotte Andrews was named among the best for the Red Lionesses, while Lauren Middleton and Lara Mason were also busy. The game marked the return of over-age talented forward Brooke Sheridan from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, kicking 2.2 from six disposals in a promising first-up display.

For the Gorillas, 2008-born Mia Geere made her debut and was outstanding up forward, clunking an incredible five contested marks from 15 touches playing forward. Uma Brennan (13 disposals, four marks and five tackles) and Keyshia Matenga (20 disposals, four marks, five tackles and two inside 50s) were among the best players.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In a top of the table clash, it was ladder leaders Southport who remained undefeated after four rounds, easily taking care of Bond University by 34 points on the road. The Sharks kept the Bull Sharks scoreless in the first term then lead by 16 points at half-time. It took a while but the visitors kicked away in the last term with three final term goals to run out 6.5 (41) to 1.1 (7) victors.

Southport dominated possession with Georgia Breward (35 disposals) and Carly Remmos (33) both had four clearances through the midfield, while Steph O’Brien had a ridiculous game of 32 disposals, five marks, seven tackles and 10 inside 50s. For the home side, Courtney Sexton had a team-high 22 disposals, while Sunny Hewett had 21 in defeat.

An inaccurate Coorparoo got the job done against Yeronga South Brisbane, keeping the Devils winless in season 2023. The Kings booted 4.12 (36) to 4.2 (26), coming back from a nine-point deficit at quarter time. Booting three second half goals to one, the Kings did enough to get over the line after dominating possession with 65 more disposals, and 112 more contested possessions.

Chelsea Winn recorded 22 disposals, four clearances and four inside 50s, while Jessica Watts had 18 touches, five marks, five clearances, four tackles and seven inside 50s running at an elite 83 per cent disposal efficiency. Sally Young (17 disposals at 82 per cent) was also prolific for the Kings. Madison Goodwin (19 disposals, six inside 50s) lead all-comers for the Devils, while Lucy Bellinger and top-ager Ebony Milne were also lively.

In the other match, Aspley Hornets were far too good for Maroochydore, heading north and coming home with the win, 7.13 (55) to 1.6 (12). In an inaccurate performance, the Hornets were able to have 20 scoring shots to seven and win a whopping 135 more disposals. They controlled the outside and the inside during the contest, as well as took 24 more marks and laid 21 more tackles in a complete performance.

Against her former side, Mikayla Martin went berserk, collecting 38 disposals, six marks, four clearances, four inside 50s and laying four tackles. She was well supported by Lucia Liessi (31 disposals, four marks, six clearances, seven tackles, three inside 50s and a goal once again, while Louise Tyson and Jessica Stallard found their fair share of the ball. For Aspley, Imagen David clocked up 20 disposals in the loss, while Kelsee Sills and Demi Norton tried hard.