It was great to be a Queenslander over the weekend.
For one, both the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS produced emphatic victories against Geelong and Richmond respectively to enhance their finals aspirations in Conference A.
After finding themselves two scores down at the main break, the Lions were forced to come from behind to prevail in Geelong. They did so by kicking five unanswered goals in a dominant second half.
Now, they are firmly entrenched at the top of the conference, sitting in first with a percentage of 178 while the SUNS find themselves in third with only North Melbounre, also undefeated, between them.
Meanwhile, on the glitter strip, a blitzkrieg opening half at Metricon Stadium saw the SUNS edge ahead at half time before holding on to emerge 11-point victors in what was their first ever AFLW victory.
In both contests, the influence of Queenslanders was everywhere. The SUNS boasted 15 Queenslanders in their side while the Lions had 18 and the Tigers and Cats each boasting one.
But the influence of the sunshine state reached even further beyond that and proved once again that Queensland can produce quality female footballers as it has done time and time again.
In light of that, it’s time to take a look at some of the best Queensland performances from across Round 2 of AFLW.
Tarni White
Along with the Saints’ top pick in last year’s draft, Georgia Patrakios, White was a standout in the team’s loss to Adelaide at Richmond Oval. Playing off half-back, White mopped up everything in the defensive 50 and was a constant presence when moving up the field. She finished with an equal team-high 18 disposals and a game high ten marks while also provided one of the highlights of the game. White collected the ball in the defensive 50 before running her full measure and setting up a Saints goal with the ensuring kick.
Jordan Membrey
The AFL’s old firm went head to head at Ikon Park on Sunday and the influence of Membrey inside 50 helped Collingwood edge out a spirited Carlton side. The Coolangatta Tweed product hit the scoreboard early in the first term and added another to lift the Magpies and remain undefeated on the season. And while Membrey said she was glad to have played her role to the Collingwood media post-game, her impact was pronounced, with 11 disposals and four marks as the focal point of the Magpies’ forward set up.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 16: Jordan Membrey of the Magpies avoids a t during the round 2 AFLW match between the Carlton Blues and the Collingwood Magpies at Ikon Park on February 16, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images via AFL Photos)
Gabby Collingwood
Collingwood returned to the Lions’ set up against the Cats for her first game of the season as the replacement for Jess Wuetschner in the side and wasted no time making her presence felt. Deployed inside 50 as a pressure forward, Collingwood was the spark forward of centre for the Lions and played a big role in their second half comeback. While her stat line may not have stood out on paper like some other names on this list, Collingwood finished with seven disposals, five marks and three tackles, the performance was arguably her best game at AFLW level.
Kate Surman
Along with experienced AFLW campaigner Jamie Stanton, Surman was the SUNS’ standout performer in their breakthrough win over Richmond at Metricon Stadium. An accomplished midfielder, Surman showed her knack in front of goal too, booting two goals to help see off the Tigers and etch the SUNS’ name into the history books. Her stat line finished at 12 disposals and six tackles while her work off the ball – filling back in defence to help defenders move the ball upfield and pushing forward when needed – were also impressive facets of her performance.
GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA – FEBRUARY 15: Kate Surman of the Suns celebrates a during the round 2 AFLW match between the Gold Coast Suns and the Richmond Tigers at Metricon Stadium on February 15, 2020 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos)
Tahlia Randall
The North Melbourne defender stood tall in Tasmania as the Kangaroos overrun Greater Wester Sydney to record their first win of the season. In the first half alone, Randall had ten disposals and four marks and went on to finish with 13 disposals and three tackles in the 18-point win. Her capstone moment came midway through the first term where she took a mark of the year contender at half-back.
Honourable mentions: Emily Bates, Sophie Conway, Erica Fowler, Georgia Rankin, Jamie Stanton, Jade Pregelj.
