By Ant Wingard @AntWingard
Yeronga South Brisbane v Coorparoo
Friday June 15, 7:30PM
Leyshon Park, Yeronga
The Devils and Kings will kick off a bye-round riddled Round 10 under the bright lights of Friday night; their second meeting of the year. Both sides enter the matchup, which is perhaps the most intense rivalry in the Bond University QWAFL, with plenty at stake.
For Yeronga, a win would do wonders for a season that has fluctuated immensely through the opening stanza of the season. Currently sitting on three wins and four losses, the Devils find themselves behind the pack and a loss would inflict further problems for the reigning premiers as they would fall even further behind the eight ball.
Coorparoo sit perched atop the three teams, along with Bond University and Coolangatta, who all have four wins and occupy spots 2-4 on the ladder. The chance to edge themselves ahead and wedge themselves in between the pack and Wilston Grange in a comfortable second place would allow for some wriggle room as we enter the pointy end of the season.
The Kings managed to win the Grand Final rematch with the Devils in the opening round of the season, outscoring their opposition in every quarter to emerge 43-point victors. Goal sneak Jess Wuetschner booted five goals in that contest, but has only played two further games for Coorparoo since. After featuring for Brisbane in the Winter Series, Wuetchner returns for the matchup along with Emma Zielke in a squad also featuring Under-18 state representatives Tori Groves-Little and Emma Pittman. Emily Bates and Jesse Keefe are among the Devil’s inclusion in the game.
Bond University v University of Queensland
Saturday June 16, 4:45PM
Bond University
Bond University tasted success in their Round 4 matchup in May, running away 59-point winners – their biggest win of the season. But the second encounter between the competition’s two university-based clubs could have significant implications this weekend as the Bullsharks and Red Lions could have their season’s riding on the line in the matchup.
With the bye round looming next week for the Bullsharks, a win is imperative in their current ladder positioning. A loss to the Red Lions in Round 10 coupled with the week off could theoretically place the side as much as two wins behind second place despite the Bullsharks finding themselves of level pegging ahead the weekend.
The equation for the Red Lions is far simpler. A win over Bond University would keep their hopes of qualifying for finals intact especially given it would be just their third win of the season. A loss though would make the task of making the finals – something the side failed to achieve last season – far more challenging; especially with matchups against Wilston Grange and Coorparoo in the next fortnight.
Both sides will enter the contest with strengthened line ups. Speedster Kate McCarthy will make her club debut for the Red Lions this weekend, her first game of the season. She’ll be joined by a bevy of Brisbane AFL Women’s players with seven players who featured in the Winter Series game last weekend lining up in the contest. Ariana Clarke and Lauren Bella will also return for the Bullsharks.
