A LADDER-defining round of action takes place in the QAFL Women’s competition over the weekend as the top four spots are firmly up for grabs. Aside from runaway ladder leader Southport who remains undefeated, there is just six points separating second spot from seventh.

MAROOCHYDORE vs. WILSTON GRANGE
Saturday, May 20 @ Neil Upton Oval, 4:45pm

A must-win game for both clubs, Maroochydoore and Wilston Grange have won the two games from five matches and are both below 50 per cent on the ladder. The Gorillas are slightly ahead (46.69 to 32.88 per cent), but the winner will at least grab fifth and likely fourth.

Maroochydore is the home side in the clash, and is coming off a forgettable 16-goal loss to Southport, which was its second massive defeat after a 98-point thrashing against Bond University in Round 1. The Roos are arguably better than those results, with the third loss coming against second placed Aspley, meaning they have only lost to the top three sides. Back-to-back wins against reigning premiers University of Queensland and Yeronga South Brisbane in Round 2-3 will give the green and gold confidence to bounce back here.

Wilston Grange is ahead of the Roos with a better percentage, and was more competitive against Southport and Bond University, with 64 and 58-point losses instead. A five-point win over finals hopefuls Coorparoo was ultra-impressive, and showed that last year’s wooden spooners are going to be far from easy beats in the 2023 season.

The key to this game is efficiency with the teams ranked seventh and eighth for kicking efficiency, as well as overall disposal efficiency. Sara-Jane O’Grady is one who can use the ball, boasting the highest efficiency of any Roo above 10 disposals per game, with 60.3 per cent. She is averaging 19 disposals, as well as 3.7 marks and 5.7 tackles. Demi Norton and Kelsee Sills are also prominent ball-winners, with Renee Teys another to watch.

Zimra Hussain has been a wonderful inclusion for the Gorillas this season, running hot with 22.3 disposals, 4.3 marks and 1.5 inside 50s per game this season. Young gun Mia Geere won the Rising Star last round and is a star of the future, with the 2008-born talent already matching it with senior opponents. The speed of Keyshia Matenga and leadership of Mackenzie Findlay will be crucial for the visitors.

Maroochydore will likely be marginal favourites for this game given it is at home, but Wilston Grange has performed admirably this season and will be confident coming off a great win over Coorparoo last week.

BOND UNIVERSITY vs. YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE
Saturday, May 20 @ Bond University, 2pm

Expect a fired up Bond University who will rue the last few minutes of its defeat to Aspley last round and look to take out its frustrations on a winless Yeronga South Brisbane. The Bull Sharks have produced a terrific season to be among the contenders again in 2023, but losses to Southport and now the Hornets have them outright third. The Devils are yet to win a game though, and this looks a steep challenge heading down the highway.

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND vs. ASPLEY
Saturday, May 20 @ UQ Playing Field 2, 4:45pm

Reigning premier University of Queensland has started to click into gear the last few weeks and has moved within striking distance of the top four. With two wins from five games, the Red Lionesses took down the Gorillas and then the Devils last week to pick up some form heading into a huge clash against Aspley. The Hornets did everything right early against the Bull Sharks last week before fading in the last quarter, only to pick up when it was needed and grab the win with the final kick of the game. Expect Aspley to be too strong here, but the Red Lionesses are stronger than earlier in the season.

COORPAROO vs. SOUTHPORT
Saturday, May 20 @ Giffin Park, 4:45pm

In the final match of the round, a fourth placed Coorparoo takes on the huge task that is Southport. The Kings host the unbeaten Sharks and will hope to bounce back from a surprising loss to Wilston Grange in Round 5. Having been competitive against Bond University in Round 2 (12-point loss) and drew with Aspley in Round 1, the Kings have what it takes to match it with the Sharks. Whether or not they can get it done is another scenario because Southport boasts a percentage of more than 900.