Coorparoo were catapulted into outright flag favouritism, with a dominant win over Zillmere in the QWAFL.
The Navy Roos avenged their Rd 2 loss to the Eagles, with an 89-point turnaround at O’Callaghan Park, in their 11.4 (70) – 1.2 (8) win.
Maddie Protheroe booted four goals for Coorparoo in the match, while rising star, Hannah Sexton, had a breakout performance in the match.
It was the Navy Roos’ defensive efforts that were most impressive, keeping the high-flying Eagles to just one goal for the match, their lowest tally of the season.
Coorparoo coach, Damien Richards, said it was that stinginess with which he was most pleased.
“The defensive side of our game was the best it has been all season,” he said.
“Offensively we were good as well, the girls provided good run and linked up well with each other.”
Zillmere coach, Jacob Simmons-Bliss said his side’s poor conversion was disappointing in the loss.
“In front of goal we just did everything we could not to score,” he said.
“We held off a lot of Coorparoo’s attack, only to allow them some sneaky goals.”
Allison Roy, rotating through fullback and centre half-back in the match, was Zillmere’s best.
Yeronga put themselves on level pegging with the Eagles on points, after a second comfortable win over UQ in as many weeks.
The Devils ran out 21.11 (137) – 2.1 (13) winners on Saturday, as Hayley Newberry slotted 10- majors, making her the season’s leading scorer.
Caitlin Collins was the best on ground for the Devils in the vital win, which puts them right in top two calculations.
UQ showed strong fight through the match, led by a superb performance from midfielder Marnie McGorm, who has found form after returning from injury.
Defensive midfielders, Chantal Beaudin and Maddie Glasby, had their work cut out for them in the match, and kept running all day, showing admirable effort.
Red Lionesses coach, Michael Swann, said his side would look to rebound heading into two weeks of byes, before the run home.
“We improved on last week’s result, which is our aim each week, but probably could and should have closed the margin a little more,” he said.
“We have two weekends off now which will give us time to regroup and get some players back on the park to finish the season strongly.”
Coolangatta was the other winner in the QWAFL Rd 12 competition, with a 7.16 (58) – 4.4 (28) win over Wilston Grange.
Wilston Grange closed the gap to just nine points late in the third quarter, before the bluebirds stormed home for the win.
Gorillas coach, Ron Kemp, said the Bluebirds’ quick transition was hurt his team.
“Their attack through the midfield and run off the backline carved us up,” he said.
“The wanted the ball more and utilised the ball they had better than we did.”
The Bluebirds’ win closes their gap on finals, with the Gold Coasters now a game behind the fourth-placed Gorillas.
