By Ant Wingard @AntWingard
Photo: David Layden Photography
Throughout the Bond University QWAFL season, AFL Queensland will take a look at a select few players to watch in the upcoming weekend’s action.
As we enter the final round of the QWAFL home and away season, it’s perhaps time to reflect on the best side of the competition this season.
After suffering an agonising preliminary final defeat in 2017. Wilston Grange turned their fortunes around this season through a combination of development and astute recruitment.
The Gorillas attracted players such as Clare Lawton and Jemma Abbott to the club, but sometimes, the two catalysts for improvement combined.
One instance worth highlighting, and where the Round 17 QWAFL One to Watch can be found, is lively forward Delma Gisu.
Having been touted as a talented youth player; representing Townsville at the Under 17 state championships in 2014, Gisu came to the Grange ahead of the 2017 season.
She played just four games for the Gorillas in the QWAFL that season and another two in the club’s QWFA Division 1 outfit.
Her performances across the six games reaped six goals in total, but it wasn’t until this season where she really cemented herself in the red, blue and white.
Gisu has played ten games so far this season and is slated to appear in her 11th this weekend against Yeronga. A consistent threat inside 50, she’s been able to kick ten goals throughout her 2018 campaign too.
But Gisu’s form hasn’t just been prevalent at club level. Certainly, her performances this year have aided the Gorillas to a 12-1 record and the minor premiership, but she’s been able to perform at representative level as well.
As a Townsville native, Gisu falls within the Gold Coast SUNS’ talent area and throughout June and July, she was among the side’s best performers throughout the Winter Series competition.
After a bye last weekend, Wilston Grange will round out their regular season against Yeronga South Brisbane at Yeronga at Leyshon Park.
QWAFL One to Watch
Round 2: Dakota Davison & Courtney Bromage (both UQ)
Round 3: Maddy Roberts (Coolangatta) & Krystal Smith (Bond)
Round 4: Clare Lawton (Wilston Grange)
Round 5: Courtney McDonnell (Yeronga)
Round 6: Isabella Freeman (Maroochydore)
Round 7: Jade Ellenger (Coorparoo)
Round 8: Kate Surman (Maroochydore)
Round 9: Jemma Abbott (Wilston Grange)
Round 10: Kayla Geddes (Coorparoo)
Round 11: Emily Bliss (Yeronga)
Round 12: Lauren Bella (Bond)
Round 13: Cleo Davis (Coorparoo)
Round 14: Lauren James (Coolangatta)
Round 15: Marnie McGorm (UQ)
Round 16: Demi Leach (Yeronga)
Round 17: Delma Gisu (Wilston Grange)
