{"id":199550,"date":"2025-08-26T16:01:34","date_gmt":"2025-08-26T06:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=199550"},"modified":"2025-08-26T16:01:36","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T06:01:36","slug":"sharks-storm-into-qaflw-grand-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2025\/08\/26\/sharks-storm-into-qaflw-grand-final\/","title":{"rendered":"Sharks storm into QAFLW Grand Final"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>SOUTHPORT Sharks have advanced to the 2025 QAFL Women&#8217;s Grand Final in emphatic fashion, downing the Morningside Panthers by 79 points. The Sharks have only lost a single game in the season thus far, and are favourites to take out the competition after their impressive win on the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Southport set the tone early, nailing the first three goals of the game. The Sharks steadily built a lead over the first three quarters before piling on five goals and six behinds in the final term while keeping their opposition scoreless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An injury to experienced utility <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"83624\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/steph-obrien\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steph O&#8217;Brien<\/a> late in the second term took some shine off the dominant performance. O\u2019Brien had been one of the better players on the ground until she went down (11 disposals, one goal).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Southport\u2019s <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"141186\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/kierra-zerafa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kierra Zerafa<\/a> was the most prolific midfielder on the ground (35 disposals, 13 inside 50s, 5 clearances) and was particularly damaging with her piercing left boot. Gold Coast Suns Academy trio <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"133445\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/dekota-baron\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dekota Baron<\/a>, <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"133390\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/georja-davies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Georja Davies<\/a> and <a href=\"\/afl\/player\/sunny-lappin\/\" data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"132522\" class=\"_dc_spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sunny Lappin<\/a> proved a devastating combination<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Key forward Baron ended up the leading scorer on the ground (four goals from 16 disposals) and was a constant threat inside 50 throughout the afternoon. Ruck-midfielder Davies was a towering presence in the centre (26 disposals, 30 hitouts, six marks) and worked brilliantly in tandem with Lappin (30 disposals, nine marks, eight inside 50s), the daughter of ex-Carlton and St Kilda midfielder <strong><em>Matthew<\/em><\/strong>, who provided her side with seemingly endless run and carry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Panthers midfielder <strong>Kylie Lawrence<\/strong> provided some resistance on the ball, collecting 25 disposals, the most possessions for a Monrnigside player. Their lone goal scorer, <strong>Sienna Graham<\/strong>, was also named as one of their best (11 disposals, three goals).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Southport will face off against the winner of this weekend\u2019s preliminary between Coorparoo and Morningside, with the Grand Final taking place on Sunday, September 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>SOUTHPORT SHARKS: 3.2 | 6.8 | 9.10 | 14.16 (100)<br>MORNINGSIDE PANTHERS: 1.2 | 2.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 (21)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>GOALS:<br>Southport Sharks:<\/strong> D. Baron 4, H. Davies 3, C. Miller 3, T. Brown 2, S. O&#8217;Brien, S. Featherstone<br><strong>Morningside Panthers: <\/strong>S. Graham 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>BEST:<br>Southport Sharks:<\/strong> K. Zerafa, G. Davies, S. Lappin, D. Baron, C. Miller<br><strong>Morningside Panthers:<\/strong> K. Lawrence, S. Graham, L. Roy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-around-the-grounds\">AROUND THE GROUNDS<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the other contest of the weekend, Coorparoo downed Bond University 4.7 (31) to 3.2 (20) to proceed to the preliminary final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kings&#8217; midfielder <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"132527\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/grace-roberts-white\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Grace Roberts-White<\/a> led the way with 22 disposals, while <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"111664\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/shannon-nolan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shannon Nolan<\/a> was the Bull Sharks&#8217; most industrious midfielder with 21 disposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lions Academy double bottom-age draft prospect <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"186437\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/indiana-scheffler\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indiana Scheffler<\/a> was the only multiple goal scorer on the ground (six disposals, two goals), <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"148135\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/chelsea-chesterfield\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chelsea Chesterfield<\/a> and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"156163\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/edie-fraser\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Edie Fraser<\/a> were the Kings\u2019 other goal kickers. While <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"139280\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/millar-brosnan-ball\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Millar Brosnan-Ball<\/a>, <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"166875\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/amelia-ella\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Amelia Ella<\/a> and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"131732\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/kendra-blattman\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kendra Blattman<\/a> all scored a goal each for the Bull Sharks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Coorparoo Kings will take on the Morningside Panthers this Saturday, August 30 at Jack Esplen Oval.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dc-block-dc-mention _dc_mention\"><div class=\"section-heading_wrap\"><span class=\"section-heading is-small\">Mentions<\/span><span class=\"hor-border\"><\/span><\/div><ul class=\"js-overflow-list overflow-list\"><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/steph-obrien\/\">Steph O&#8217;Brien<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/kierra-zerafa\/\">Kierra Zerafa<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/dekota-baron\/\">Dekota Baron<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/georja-davies\/\">Georja Davies<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/sunny-lappin\/\">Sunny Lappin<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/grace-roberts-white\/\">Grace Roberts-White<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/shannon-nolan\/\">Shannon Nolan<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/indiana-scheffler\/\">Indiana Scheffler<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/chelsea-chesterfield\/\">Chelsea Chesterfield<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/edie-fraser\/\">Edie Fraser<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/millar-brosnan-ball\/\">Millar Brosnan-Ball<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/amelia-ella\/\">Amelia Ella<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/kendra-blattman\/\">Kendra Blattman<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"js-dropdown dropdown overflowed\"><button class=\"btn btn-icon-only\"><span class=\"icon btn-icon\">\n                    <!-- icon - plus circle - 20px-->\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n                        <path d=\"M15,9.28h-4.3V5h0A.72.72,0,1,0,9.28,5h0V9.28H5a.72.72,0,0,0,0,1.43H9.28V15a.72.72,0,0,0,1.43,0h0V10.71H15a.72.72,0,0,0,0-1.43Z\"\/>\n                        <path d=\"M10,0A10,10,0,1,0,20,10,10,10,0,0,0,10,0Zm0,18.57A8.57,8.57,0,0,1,10,1.43h0a8.57,8.57,0,0,1,0,17.14Z\"\/>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/span><\/button><div class=\"popover\"><div class=\"popover-content\"><ul class=\"popover-menu\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SOUTHPORT Sharks have advanced to the 2025 QAFL Women&#8217;s Grand Final in emphatic fashion, downing the Morningside Panthers by 79 points. The Sharks have only lost a single game in the season thus far, and are favourites to take out the competition after their impressive win on the weekend. Southport set the tone early, nailing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10022,"featured_media":198937,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18226,8,18085,3132,15,137],"tags":[21877,13159,19704,21010,19856,20700,22463,19418,17910,22798,21673,17444,19706],"class_list":["post-199550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-match-report","category-news","category-qaflw","category-queensland","category-state-leagues","category-womens","tag-amelia-ella","tag-chelsea-chesterfield","tag-dekota-baron","tag-edie-fraser","tag-georja-davies","tag-grace-roberts-white","tag-indiana-scheffler","tag-kendra-blattman","tag-kierra-zerafa","tag-millar-brosnan-ball","tag-shannon-nolan","tag-steph-obrien","tag-sunny-lappin"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/199550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10022"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=199550"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/199550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":199557,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/199550\/revisions\/199557"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/198937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=199550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=199550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=199550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}