MATCH OF THE ROUND
YERONGA vs. UQ
Saturday May 2, 4:45pm Leyshon Park
This one has all the elements to be a cracker.
Second takes on third, both have just come off huge wins, confidence at a maximum, four points on the line and predicted wet weather footy. What more could you ask for?
After belting Zillmere away from home last weekend the Devils certainly made a huge first game statement, however, Yeronga coach, Scott Stephens, isn’t underestimating the challenge UQ will bring to the table.
“(UQ) they are very much improved and I think it’s going to be a very tough game for us,” Stephens said.
“We have a few girls out so we just have to go in with our best 22 on the night and be ready for the challenge that is in front of us.
“I absolutely think we can win, I have a ridiculous amount of players I can put through the midfield, but we just need to apply that same pressure we did last week and show a continuation of effort.
“I’m looking for that enthusiasm and effort I saw from the girls last week and if I get that I’m happy regardless of the result.”
UQ played a stylish brand of football last weekend and the RedLionesses proved they can put the numbers on the board with an impressive 13-goal haul.
UQ coach, Michael Swann, has been extremely impressed with his players so far and continues to put emphasis on improvement at this early stage of the season.
“We made a big step forward last week and we want to keep improving, but we know that Yeronga are going to be tough,” Swann said.
“In our third year in the comp, we just want to see improvement week after week and really we want to see if we can match it with the best teams in the league at this point.
“I’ve been really pleased with how the girls have been developing over the last two years and we have been working towards matching it with the best sides, so this weekend will be a good test.”
COORPAROO vs. WILSTON GRANGE
Sunday May 3, 2:30pm Giffin Park
Coorparoo will be looking to pick up their first win of the season this week, but it will be no easy going against a hungry Wilston Grange outfit.
The Navy Roos title defence didn’t get off to an ideal start in round 1, and after sitting out last week with a bye, the defending premiers sit way down in sixth on the ladder.
Coorparoo coach, Bernie Cantrell, insists the preparation has been solid with the extra week off, but is wary of a tough Wilston Grange outfit.
“The preparation has been good and the team is ready to go and we are definitely going out for the win in this one,” Cantrell said.
“I haven’t seen a lot of them (Wilston Grange), they beat UQ so they will be a fair opponent and I expect a tough physical game.
“I think it will prove to be a real challenge and it could go either way, but the main message to our girls is to keep committed to the footy, man up and stay focused – hopefully we get that right and stay competitive.”
Wilston Grange have had two tough games against UQ and Coolangatta to start the season, walking away a respectable 1-1 from those bouts.
The Gorillas have looked very good in patches this year and coach, Ron Kemp, believes the girls are a real chance if the consistency is there.
“It is one that I would like to say, yes we’ve got a good shot at winning it,” Kemp said.
“But you have to play consistent footy, they (Coorparoo) still have a good core group of players and they have a good depth of youth girls so it will be tough.
“I’ve tried to change the team up a bit, a little bit more height and pace around the ground which we plan to counter with and then the goal is to win it out of the centre and work it to the forward line.
“I think we are a good shot if we move the ball quickly around the ground – if the quickness and movement aren’t there you are going to be under a lot of pressure.”
GRIFFITH MOOROOKA vs. COOLANGATTA
Saturday May 2, 4:45pm Alexander Park
Griffith Moorooka haven’t had an easy start to 2015 and the Roosters will face another tough challenge this weekend when they host a red hot Coolangatta outfit at Alexander Park.
The Bluebirds have been a formidable side so far this season, notching two convincing wins against Coorparoo and Wilston Grange to emerge as early competition favourites.
The Roosters on the other hand have gone down by large margins in their first two hitouts of the season, but coach, Glenn Hogetts, insists the scoreboard will not be the defining factor of success in 2015.
“Overall I’ve been pretty happy with our progress this season, the results and scoreboard don’t show it but we are working well on our game and we believe if we keep trying the results will come,” Hogetts said.
“We are looking to improve on our football, we can’t worry about other teams, we just need to focus on our own improvement and chip away each week.
“In that department it has been great, the effort and the attitude is great, the girls never give in and are always putting in 100% which is all I can ask of them.”
And while Hogetts was impressed with Coolangatta’s start to the season, he was adamant that the focus for the Roosters would remain on week to week improvement.
“(Coolangatta) they are a great side, but we approach the game focusing on us and our football and what we want to work on each week.
“This week especially I want to see the effort in the stoppages from the girls and continuing to put in a four quarter effort.”
Coolangatta will head into this clash as heavy favourites, but the Bluebirds will be without coach, Aaron Russell, who is on state duties this weekend.
“Even though I won’t be there in person this weekend, I have written out a plan for the leadership group with individual notes on the game and I have no doubt they will go out there and do what needs to be done,” Russell said.
“We’ve got another five or so changes this week with some social commitments, but our depth is really good and I don’t feel like we’ve lost anything.
“I’ll be keeping a close eye on the game but the team is ready to go and all the necessary preparation has been done, it is now just about improving on our game and executing where we can.”
BYE – ZILLMERE
By Grant Hitzman – @granthitzman
