PREMIERSHIP glory is just one win away for either Bond University or Aspley in the QAFL Women’s Grand Final. A stacked Bull Sharks lineup got to the decider via the express route, defeating minor premiers Southport in the qualifying final. Aspley did it the hard way, coming from third to knock off Coorparoo and then Southport, earning its spot in the grand final.

BOND UNIVERSITY vs. ASPLEY
Sunday, August 27 @ 2:20pm
Brighton Homes Arena

Bond University heads into the clash as strong favourites after toppling Southport and having beaten the Hornets last time out. The Hornets did upset the Bull Sharks at Graham Road back in a Round 5 thriller by six points, but were no match for a stronger Bond Uni on July 8.

The Bull Sharks have an array of draftable talent at their disposals, with no less than eight players predicted to be on AFL Women’s lists in the future. From a top-ae perspective, AFLW Academy winger Sienna McMullen is one name to keep an eye on, able to provide plenty of run and carry even if she is not a huge accumulator of the ball.

A player who can find the ball is Queensland captain Josie McCabe, who, despite sustaining a fractured finger during the national carnival, has been able to continue to play and is named for the grand final. Also in the team is another top-age draft prospect in defender Kiara Bischa who emerged as a possible second round talent off the back of a promising AFLW Under 18 Championships.

At the bottom-age level, potential pick one Havana Harris has the capacity to play ruck, forward or even midfield, and will be a headache for the Hornets. She is joined by fellow 2006-born stars Tara Harrington and Nyalli Milne. Then there is 2007-born Ava Usher who also dominated the national carnival despite her age and is almost impossible to stop at full flight.

Add in over-ager Ella Calleja, mature-age talls in Jasmyn Davidson and Lily Tarlinton, and former Lions and Gold Coast talent Leah Kaslar, and the squad is stacked across the board. There is a reason when at full strength, Bond University looks near-unbeatable.

However Aspley did manage to beat the Bull Sharks, albeit before they got to full strength, but can take confidence away from the Round 5 win. Athletic forward Rania Crozier will team up with equal leading goalkicker Jessica Stallard, who is coming off a five-goal haul in the preliminary final.

Another Queensland state representative Holly O’Flaherty will don the brown and yellow, with former Queensland tall Lucia Liessi having been a key player for the Hornets this season. She will lineup in the midfield alongside Maroochydore recruit Mikayla Martin who has been a huge addition to the side.

Co-captains Courtney Daniec and Angela Lingard are always consistent contributors, while Emma Pittman is another Hornet to watch. It will be an against-the-odds win if they can pull it off, but the Hornets do have plenty talent to cause more than the odd headache for the Bull Sharks.

PREDICTION

While Bond University should win on paper – the Bull Sharks finished higher and have a stack of young talent – strange things happen on grand final day. They will not take anything for granted and be made to work for it by a disciplined Aspley outfit. Going in as the underdogs, the Hornets will have less pressure on them, and have the tenacity and determination to fight until the final siren, making for an entertaining contest.