BOND University booked its place in the 2024 QAFL Women’s Grand Final after a nail-biting win over Aspley Hornets last weekend, to face Southport in the decider. In the penultimate match, the sides had a combined six Queensland State Academy members and we took a look at how they performed. All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

ASPLEY vs BOND UNIVERSITY: 2024 QAFLW PRELIMINARY FINAL

ASPLEY:

#24 Lilu Hung (Lions Academy)
Forward | 176cm | 07/06/2005

Thought Hung played her role well in the Aspley forward 50, leading out and presenting to be a target. Even when not clunking the ball, she brought it to ground and worked up the ground to make an impact. She did get caught holding the ball when attempting to fend-off an opponent midway through the second term, but used her body well and set up the last Aspley goal by winning a tap against Harris to get it to the boundary for Maddison Tallis to run onto.

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 7 hitouts, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s

#34 Isabella McDonough (Lions Academy)
Forward | 164cm | 13/02/2006

The top-ager tried to create some speed on the ball and use her damaging left-foot to advantage, though did not get a lot of opportunities to do so. Her multiple pressure acts inside the forward 50 and just outside it were the most noticeable, and while she did not win a lot of the ball herself, kept putting pressure on the opposition defence.

Stats: 8 disposals, 4 tackles, 1 inside 50

BOND UNIVERSITY:

#26 Nyalli Milne (Suns Academy)
Wing | 171cm | 26/05/2006

Stats: 8 disposals, 1 mark, 1 clearance, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 1 behind

Worked hard up and down the wing and often got back into defence to clear the ball from danger. Her stats might not suggest it, but Milne had plenty of influence in transitioning the ball from defence to offence, and her pressure – even if only rewarded with one tackle – was also quite good. Her final execution can be an area of further development, but her smarts to get into the right spots, and elevated heart rate she causes to the opposition each time she goes near it, is evident.

#35 Bronte Parker (Suns Academy)
Forward/Midfielder | 169cm | 19/01/2007

Stats: 12 disposals, 4 marks, 1 clearance, 6 tackles, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Predominantly played forward but pushed up the ground to make an impact and had a few eye-catching moments. Her pressure first and foremost stood out above all else, with a lot of her tackles coming at half-forward. She could tend to dump the ball on the boot under pressure at times, but her see-ball, get-ball attitude inside 50 earned her a free kick midway through the third term where she went back and slotted the set shot with a right to left action that swung inside the right goal post to perfection.

#53 Mia Salisbury (Suns Academy)
Midfielder | 168cm | 27/06/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 3 clearances, 7 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 behinds

Played a full game through midfield and had her fair share of the ball in what was a hotly contested game and low numbers in terms of disposals. Where 15 touches was the most for the Bull Sharks, Salisbury’s 13 and three clearances showed her importance around the midfield, and teamed up well when Harris was in ruck. She loves to dart around the back of the stoppage, win it off hands and burst forward, looking to lower the eyes and hit targets inside forward 50. While not always pinpoint, her passes were generally always put to her teammate’s advantage, and in the second minute of the match she set up Leah Kaslar for the opening goal. Also kicked two behinds herself with quick shots, one of which just cleared the contest deep in the pocket that was not intended to be a shot.

#61 Havana Harris (Suns Academy)
Ruck/Forward | 181cm | 01/07/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 1 mark, 4 clearances, 29 hitouts, 1 tackle, 5 inside 40s, 1 goal

Harris produced another outstanding game even when the opposition clearly had a plan to quell her influence. Going up against opponents who were basically 10cm shorter than her, Aspley looked to have rucks who could keep up with her around the ground even if conceding a lot of hitouts. She found a way to impact as she always does, including clunking a strong mark on the goalline and snapping truly from close range in the first term. Surprisingly had her work cut out for her by Jasmine Kawa who was good at ball-ups with her strength despite being smaller, but once Harris was in full flight it was impossible to catch her. Had her share of touches between the arcs and always looked the most likely to be a match-winner.