by Daniel Viles
Bull Sharks blot the birthday bash
Bond University returned to the winners list in the Bond University QAFLW with a tough 31-point win over Wilston Grange at Hickey Park.
The Bull Sharks withstood an outstanding tackling effort from the Gorillas to score at least one goal in each quarter.
Wilston Grange, on the tenth anniversary of its first women’s state league match, applied constant physical and territorial pressure to the reigning premiers but were rarely able to break down the structure of the Bull Sharks’ defence.
The premiers dominated the opening period of the match and took the lead in the fourth minute when Ella Calleja, who played like an extra inside midfielder at half-forward (15 effective disposals, 5 clearances), picked out Arianna Clarke in the left pocket and presented her with a simple set shot.
The Tricolours didn’t enter their forward 50 until the eleventh minute and, even then, nearly conceded on the counter-attack. They were, however, rewarded shortly afterwards when Jasmine Ware marked just inside 50 from Keyshia Matenga (13 effective disposals, 4 inside-50s, 5 tackles) and then found Summer Hamilton’s run to the goal square. Hamilton’s set shot reduced the margin to two points.
Bond’s response was immediate. Courtney Sexton (15 effective disposals, 6 tackles, 4 inside-50s) charged onto a handball from ruck Abbey Bevan and delivered a lace-out pass to Izzy Lowe. Lowe’s set shot squeaked over the last defender to restore the eight-point lead.
Territory was dominated by the Bull Sharks for much of the second quarter but were denied by a defence led by the pressure acts and marking of Charlize Anderson (4 tackles, 3 intercept marks), previously better known as a half-forward.
The breakthrough goal occurred seven minutes before halftime when a bizarre passage of play that broke down more often than it got going ended with Sexton gathering a loose ball and shooting beneath the sprawling Anderson.
Sexton created Bond’s next goal two minutes later with a tackle that forced the ball loose from Jacinta Ens. Leah Kaslar’s diving handball found Clarke who snapped truly from 35 metres off one step.
The second half saw Grange with the gorilla’s share of possession and territory as the ball-winning of Matenga and Haley Jones was complemented by the tackling pressure of Kylie Welsh and Mackenzie Findlay.
However, the Bull Sharks’ defenders have made a habit of winning possession between 40 and 50 metres from goal. Grace Moodie and Jemma Blair were their usual reliable selves. Sophie Balcombe is rapidly gaining a similar reputation and Tobi Chapman produced her most assured top-grade performance to date.
Bond was rewarded when Calleja intercepted the ball in midfield, found Bella Iverach in space at half-forward, and then watched her walk to the goal square when a Grange defender wandered across the mark.
The final term was a similar story with the Gorillas dominating the stats but the Bull Sharks winning on the scoreboard. Six minutes in, Clarke produced a strong contested mark in front of goal from a Tahlia Meyer pass. Clarke then surprised everyone by handballing to Sexton whose straight shot gave her multiple goals in a Bond University QAFLW match for the first time in her career.
The Gorillas only score of the second half was a rushed behind with five minutes remaining, but their home fans were brought to life when the diminutive Hamilton leapt over CJ Landwehr for a stunning mark at centre half-forward.
The margin of 31 points is the lowest in all Bond University QAFLW matches between Bond University and Wilston Grange.
The Bull Sharks’ victory gives them second place on the ladder courtesy of their enormous percentage. They will have the chance to take top spot when they host ladder leaders and Grand Final opponents, Aspley, in Round 5.
Grange falls out of the four, also on percentage, but they could return with a win over Yeronga at Leyshon Park next week.
In other Round 4 matches: Southport prevailed by eight points over University of Queensland after a goalless second half; Aspley still leads the league after a 49-point defeat of Maroochydore; and Coorparoo pulled away from Yeronga to win by 25 points after scores were level at half-time.
Saturday 4 May 2024, 2pm at Hickey Park, Stafford
|
Wilston Grange |
1.0 (6) |
1.1 (7) |
1.1 (7) |
1.2 (8) |
|
Bond University |
2.2 (14) |
4.3 (27) |
5.3 (33) |
6.3 (39) |
Wilston Grange
Goals: Summer Hamilton
Best: Keyshia Matenga, Summer Hamilton, Kylie Welsh, Charlize Anderson, Haley Jones, Jasmine Ware
Bond University
Goals: Arianna Clarke 2, Courtney Sexton 2, Izzy Lowe, Bella Iverach
Best: Charlotte Taylor, Courtney Sexton, Tahlia Meyer, Shannon Nolan, Sophie Balcombe, Imogen Evans
Replay and match statistics
Saturday 4 May 2024, 3pm at Fankhauser Reserve, Southport
|
Southport |
2.1 (13) |
3.1 (19) |
3.1 (19) |
3.5 (23) |
|
University of Queensland |
1.2 (8) |
2.3 (15) |
2.3 (15) |
2.3 (15) |
Southport
Goals: Tayla Gregory, Abbie Pluples, Peyton Mackie
Best: Kierra Zerafa, Abbie Pluples, Peyton Mackie, Selina Priest, Maighan Fogas, Avalon Pearce
University of Queensland
Goals: Elka Barnett, Monique Piunti
Best: Harriet Knijff, Jane Childes, Charlotte Andrews, Jessi Henning, Nickkie Shaw, Lucy McCormick
Replay and match statistics
Saturday 4 May 2024, 4:45pm at Domino’s Park, Maroochydore
|
Maroochydore |
0.1 (1) |
0.1 (1) |
1.2 (8) |
1.2 (8) |
|
Aspley |
2.2 (14) |
4.4 (28) |
6.5 (41) |
8.9 (57) |
Maroochydore
Goals: Jesse McMillan
Best: Sara-Jane O’Grady, Abbey Tognazzini, Arden Quilliam, Abbey Rankin, Ellen Hopkins, Jessee Sills
Aspley
Goals: Lucia Liessi 2, Rachael Vetter 2, Kitara Whap-Farrar 2, Lucy Pengelly, Jess Stallard
Best: Lucy Pengelly, Holly O’Flaherty, Rachael Vetter, Louise Tyson, Anna van de Wiel, Maddi Tallis
Replay and match statistics
Saturday 4 May 2024, 4:45pm at Giffin Park, Yeronga
|
Coorparoo |
2.0 (12) |
4.3 (27) |
6.4 (40) |
8.5 (53) |
|
Yeronga South Brisbane |
0.1 (1) |
4.3 (27) |
4.4 (28) |
4.4 (28) |
Coorparoo
Goals: Jenae Govan 3, Jacinta Baldwick 2, Kayla Geddes, Alyssa Gall, Grace Perry
Best: Jenae Govan, Meg Muir, Grace Perry, Alyssa Gall, Jacinta Baldwick, Kayla Geddes
Yeronga South Brisbane
Goals: Sienna Morassuti 2, Courtney McDonnell 2
Best: Jamie Howell, Elizabeth Hill, Sienna Wilson, Madi Goodwin, Chelsea Winn, Abigail Lunson
Replay and match statistics
Find all your information about the Bond University QAFLW at the Competition Hub.
