SOUTHPORT has earned the QAFL Women’s minor premiership after defeating Morningside Panthers by 53 points at Jack Esplen Oval in a top of the table final round clash on the weekend. The red-hot Sharks put the foot down after a reasonably tight first half to boot seven unanswered goals in the second half to win, 10.7 (67) to 2.2 (14).

Both sides entered the match with just the one loss for the year and had earned a week off for round one of finals, but the homeground advantage for the qualifying final was at stake. The Sharks stormed out of the blocks to boot the opening three goals of the match and take a 22-0 lead into quarter time. While it looked like being a blowout, Morningside through bottom-age key forward Harlee McIlwain kicked two second quarter goals to cu the deficit back to 10 points.

Though the Panthers had restricted the high-scoring Sharks to just one behind in the second stanza, that did not last with Southport regaining control through the premiership quarter with three majors, then finishing off with a seven-goal second half to blow the eventual margin out to 53 points. While the offence was impressive, the Sharks’ defence kept Morningside to just one behind across the other three quarters outside the second.

Southport racked up 80 more disposals and took 18 more marks, and while the clearance numbers were fairly even, the Sharks’ ability to get the ball forward was the difference. The visitors had 41 inside 50s to 20 and scored 41.5 per cent of the time they went forward in the big win.

Maighan Fogas (20 disposals, two goals) and Olivia Meagher (19 disposals, two goals) were both able to hit the scoreboard, while Madeleine Watt and Steph O’Brien combined for 11 clearances. From the young brigade, Sunny Lappin (18 disposals, three clearances and four inside 50s), Mikayla Nurse (15 disposals, two clearances) and Georja Davies (14 disposals, three marks and 35 hitouts) were all influential through the middle, while Dekota Baron booted two goals.

For the Panthers, McIlwain also had seven disposals, two marks, three tackles and three inside 50s to go with her 2.1, while Gracie and Laura Roy had 37 disposals, 10 clearances and 12 tackles between them. Isabella Levine (20 disposals, four clearance sand six tackles) was also fierce.

MORNINGSIDE 0.0 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.2 (14)
SOUTHPORT 3.4 | 3.5 | 6.7 | 10.7 (67)

GOALS:
Morningside: H. McIlwain 2
Southport: D. Baron 2, M. Fogas 2, O. Meagher 2, C. Miller, H. Davies, S. O’Brien

RMC BEST:
Morningside: L. Roy, G. Roy, I. Levine, H. McIlwain, K. Lawrence
Southport: M. Watt, O. Meagher, S. O’Brien, K. Zerafa, G. Davies

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Aspley locked in a finals spot with a dominant 92-point victory over winless wooden spooners Yeronga South Brisbane, 14.16 (100) to 1.2 (8). Jessica Stallard slammed home five goals in the win, while Jesse McMillan (38 disposals, nine clearances and six inside 50s) and Lucia Liessi (30 disposals, four marks, eight clearances and seven inside 50s) both had huge days out.

Bond University grabbed third spot with a 47-point with over now fourth placed Coorparoo, 10.7 (67) to 3.2 (20). Shannon Nolan (34 disposals, four marks, nine clearances and three inside 50s) lead from the front, while Kendra Blattman slotted five majors from 13 disposals and five marks up forward. Top-ager Annabelle Foat (23 disposals) was also busy in the middle. Tilayna Nissen (16 disposals, six clearances, 16 hitouts, three tackles and seven inside 50s) was a standout for the Kings.

Wilston Grange got up by 17 points over University of Queensland to knock the Red Lionesses out of contention and slot into fifth spot. The Gorillas had the likes of Grace Osborne and Mackenzie Findlay who stood out through the middle, while Tahlia Kendall (two goals) was her side’s sole multiple goalkicker. Freya Ross was damaging for the visitors with 14 disposals, four clearances and six tackles.

Maroochydore finished off its season with an away win over Moreton Bay Lions by 19 points, 4.4 (28) to 1.3 (9). Roxy Beuzeville (23 disposals, three marks, three tackles and five inside 50s and Abbey Rankin (22 disposals, eight clearances and five inside 50s) were busy in the front half, with Marlee Marshall booting two goals for her side. Jessica Davy (22 disposals, four clearances, four tackles and seven inside 50s) was a standout for Moreton Bay.