This week in the QWAFL, Coorparoo meet UQ, Coolangatta host Wilston Grange and Zillmere take on Yeronga.
Match of the Round:
Coorparoo v UQ
Their Round 1 clash was an emotional encounter for Coorparoo, who suffered a 55-point loss.
The Navy Roos have come so far since the start of the season, but … so have UQ. However there’s a feeling that Coorparoo are now capable of dishing out the sweetest form of revenge; something they weren’t able to achieve three months ago.
It’s no easy task, facing your old teammates on the footy field, especially when you’ve shared good times (and premierships) with them.
But … Coorparoo look up for it. They’ve been aggressive, resilient and fierce and it was the reason why they registered their first win of the season last week.
UQ, on the other hand, were given a big scare by Zillmere last weekend, managing to scrape home by just 5-points.
No doubt they will bounce back, but Coorparoo are fully capable of knocking off any team and will take a huge amount of confidence into this match.
It’s going to take a magical performance from Coorparoo, but I’m picking them.
Where & When:
Giffin Park, Coorparoo @ 4:45pm, Saturday July 23
Last time they met:
Round 1, 2016- UQ defeated Coorparoo by 57 points
2016 form:
Coorparoo (1/10 Wins) UQ(7/10 Wins)
Key match up:
Sally Young (Coorparoo) v Emma Zielke (UQ)
They are both tough competitors, but these two natural leaders play huge roles for their respective sides.
Zielke has class, footy smarts and a piercing boot. Sally is tackler, a workhorse and rarely comes off the footy field walking.
They’re ex- teammates, therefore they know each other’s strengths. This matchup is going to be one to watch.
Prediction: Coorparoo by 2 points
Coolangatta v Wilston Grange
With the end of the season getting closer and the race for top spot heating up, Coolangatta will be thinking percentage, percentage, percentage!
But, you’ve actually got to win the game first and Wilston Grange will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to Coorparoo last week.
Travelling down the M1 to take on Cooly is always going to be a challenge, but if Wilston Grange’s leaders such as Courtney Daniec and Heidi Thompson step up to the plate, we could be seeing an upset on the cards.
Coolangatta are coming off a crucial win in sluggish, wet conditions against Yeronga last week and will be looking to find some consistency in these final six weeks of the season.
Where & When:
Peak Oval, Coolangatta Tweed @ 2:00pm, Saturday July 23
Last time they met:
Round 2, 2016 – Coolangatta defeated Wilston Grange by 102 points
2016 Form:
Coolangatta (8/10 Wins) Wilston Grange (1/10 Wins)
Key match up:
Selina Goodman (Coolangatta) v Mica Cubis (Wilston Grange)
Cubis has been performing consistently for the Gorillas and will have the big task of going against Goodman who is playing her best football at the moment.
Goodman is brilliant overhead but also strong around the contest and has pace out in the open. Cubis has the ability to present as a real challenge when she takes on Goodman.
It’s going to be a classic battle of the rucks.
Prediction: Coolangatta by 20 points.
Zillmere v Yeronga
Last time these two met, the margin was much larger than many of us anticipated. Zillmere couldn’t find the ball, Yeronga were playing their best brand of footy and Tayla Harris was having an off night.
If there was any chance to right the wrongs, it’s this match for Zillmere.
If they were to beat Yeronga, it would be sending a massive message to the rest of the competition. They are fully capable to do it. But, everything has to go right for them on Saturday.
Their keys such as Ally Anderson, Harris and Shaliese Law need to be at their best. Yeronga need to keep winning, and winning big, to snatch that top spot from Coolangatta, so I can’t see them letting this one slip through their hands.
Where & When:
O’Callaghan Park, Zillmere @ 4:45pm, Saturday July 23
Last time they met:
Round 5, 2016- Yeronga defeated Zillmere by 81 points
2016 Form:
Zillmere (5/10 Wins) Yeronga (8/10 Wins)
Key match up:
Shaliese Law (Zillmere) v Danielle Wall (Yeronga)
Wall often is given a specific matchup, but she’s so lethal of halfback that she generally will come across every single opposition player that crosses the defensive 50 line.
Law is extremely dangerous in the forwards, and uses her speed to escape any matchup. Wall will take things into her own hands if Law becomes too influential on the game, and will no doubt move over to shut her down.
If either girl is at their best, it always goes a long way to helping their side to victory.
Prediction: Yeronga
By Jess Stewart
