COORPAROO has locked up the fourth and final spot of the 2023 QAFL Women’s season after upsetting second placed Bond University at Giffin Park on the weekend. In the fourth and final game of a Super Saturday to mark Pride Round, the Kings got the job done against an understrength Bull Sharks lineup to win, 5.7 (37) to 1.2 (8).

Without their Queensland representatives who were running out against South Australia at Adelaide Oval on the same day, the Bull Sharks had to rely on a mix of experienced and younger players, while the Kings were backed by their home crowd at Giffin Park.

The second placed Bull Sharks were coming off wins against fellow top three sides, Southport and Aspley, while Coorparoo had enjoyed a four-game winning streak since being humbled by Aspley at Graham Road in Round 8.

Bond University kicked the opening goal of the game through Lily Tarlinton who helped the Kings head into the first break with a four-point lead. Unfortunately from there though, the visitors only managed the two behinds for the rest of the game.

Instead, it was Coorparoo who booted 5.5 across the final three quarters, with Chelsea Chesterfield kicking away with three majors. Skipper Sally Young and Gabriella Abi-Fares kicked a goal apiece in the win, as the Kings controlled the time in forward half.

Despite the Bull Sharks comprehensively winning the ruck battle with 45 hitouts to 18 – courtesy of the pairing of Jasmyn Davidson and Tarlinton – the Kings won the clearance battle. Jessica Watts (seven clearances from 22 disposals), Young (five clearnces from 13 disposals) and Hannah McLaughlin (five clearances from 18 disposals) were all prominent at the coalface The main ball-winner was Lucy Schneider who racked up a game-high 30 disposals, as well as four clearances, working hard across the ground.

Similarly, Jo Miller (27 disposals, four marks, four clearances, eight tackles and four inside 50s) was also influential in the victory. Chesterfield – who clunked eight marks including two contested – is piecing together another consistent season, and had more than a few chances with 3.3 to her name.

For the Bull Sharks, Courtney Sexton picked up a team-high 19 disposals, while Tarlinton (17 disposals, four clearances) and Davidson (17 disposals, three clearances) did well outside the ruck taps. Overall though Bond Uni was not able to pick up the four points, the Bull Sharks will prepare to be strengthened by those young guns for the penultimate round in a bid to secure a top two spot.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Southport held off a determined Wilston Grange to further extend its place at the top of the QAFLW table and all but secure the minor premiership in 2023. While mathematically the Sharks could drop down a place, they have earned the double chance and anything other than two heavy losses will ensure top spot.

The Gorillas showed they have plenty of potential for the future, with speedster Keyshia Matenga named in the best for Wilston Grange, while young guns Mia Geere and Kierra Zerafa also impressed. SANFLW recruits Kristi Harvey and Caitlin Wendland were the standouts for Southport, while talls, Lilly Pearce and Steph O’Brien were unsurprisingly amongst the best.

Aspley moved within two points of second spot courtesy of a come-from-behind win against Yeronga South Brisbane. Despite the Devils not tasting success in 2023 so far, the wooden spoon-bound Yeronga piled on six goals to one in the first half to lead by 28 points at the main break. A bit shellshocked at half-time, the Hornets staged one of the comebacks of the season, keeping the Devils to just one behind in the second half, while piling on six goals themselves to win, 7.15 (57) to 6.7 (43).

Jessica Stallard slammed home five goals in a match-winning performance for the Hornets, while Courtney Daniec and Angela Lingard were also among the best. Lucy Bellinger was the pick of the players for the Devils, while dangerous AFLW forward Zimmorlei Farquharson kicked two goals in the loss.

In the other match, University of Queensland proved too good for Maroochydore, getting up by 25 points after trailing at quarter time. Down by a point at the first break, the Red Lionesses kicked the only three goals after quarter time to secure the 4.9 (33) to 1.2 (8) win.

Ava Seton was a clear best on ground, booting two goals and starred for the winners, while Jane Childes and Lara Mason also impressed. For the Roos, Jya Epstein kicked her side’s sole major and was a standout, while Kaiya Hides was one again consistent in defeat.