The QFAW Division 1 Competition heads into week one of finals this weekend, with Sherwood hosting Surfers Paradise and Morningside facing off against Broadbeach.
Sandgate (Minor Premiers) and Moreton Bay (2nd) will have the week off and will meet in the Grand Final Qualifying next weekend at Lemke Road.
Both Sherwood (3rd) and Surfers Paradise (6th) will be eager to bounce back in week one of finals on the back of narrow losses in the final round of the home and away season. Sherwood went down by five points to minor premiers Sandgate, while Surfers Paradise suffering a narrow one point defeat at the hands of newcomers Noosa.
The Magpies will, however, take some confidence into the match, having defeated Surfers Paradise on both occasions the sides have met this year. The 2023 elimination final will also be in the back of the minds of both sides, where Sherwood convincingly beat Surfers Paradise at home – result the visitors will be undoubtably wishing to reverse this time around.
Abigail Ashford has proven herself as one of the competition’s premier players, being listed among Sherwood’s best players in 12 of her 14 matches this season, and will be one to watch on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, across town at Jack Esplen Oval, 2023 grand finalists Morningside (4th) will have to begin their 2024 premiership tilt in the elimination final against an unpredictable Broadbeach (5th).
The battle for fourth and fifth came down to the wire, with Morningside securing fourth position by less than 1% on the ladder, earning them the all-important home ground advantage.
The Cats will be hoping to take plenty of learnings from their last game of the home and away season, where they coincidently played Morningside at Morningside prior to their Round 16 bye.
Samantha Boustead was instrumental for the Panthers in that match, booting three goals and proving the difference in their 19 point victory.
Expect to see the run of Greta Liell Cock and Roisin Chu attempt to break the game wide open for Morningside.
After bowing out of the first round of finals for the last two seasons, Broadbeach will be aiming to spoil the Panthers party and go one better in 2024. The team will be hoping the mix of youth and experience they’ve assembled this season will pay dividends in finals. The experienced leadership of Captain Bella Freeman, Paige Parker (former GC SUNS AFLW) and Arianna Reilly (former Coorparoo QAFLW) has combined well with emerging talents Sienna Blair and Jaimee Stuart.
With the 2024 ledger at one win apiece between these two sides, we anticipate a close and exciting do-or-die final final.
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