COOLANGATTA TWEED v. UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
University of Queensland 0.0, 3.2, 4.2, 6.4 (40)
Coolangatta Tweed 2.0, 4.0, 5.1, 6.2 (38)
I think UQ just catapulted themselves into the premiership mix with this one.
An upset of this kind has been brewing for weeks… the gap in the competition has closed right up.
At quarter time, it looked like going to script. Coolangatta-Tweed kicked the first two of the game, and held UQ scoreless in the first term.
When the Bluebirds kicked another two in the first five minutes of the second-quarter to open up a 24-point advantage, alarm bells were ringing for the Red Lionesses.
That’s when they kicked into gear.
They kicked three late goals in the second that proved crucial in terms of getting back into the contest, making it a four-point ball game at the half.
An even third quarter around the footy saw Cooly head into the last change five-points up, but the game was there for whoever wanted it more.
The answer was UQ.
They kicked the first two of the last quarter to snatch the game, holding on for the last six minutes to take their biggest scalp of 2016.
The comeback started with their leaders. It was Emma Zielke, Bree Koenen, and Sharni Webb who were the catalysts.
Howarth kicked three for Cooly, and Stanton won a stack, but they just couldn’t get across the line on the day.
What a competition.
WILSTON GRANGE v. YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE
Yeronga South Brisbane 1.0, 2.3, 3.4, 7.10 (52)
Wilston Grange 2.3, 3.3, 3.4, 3.6 (24)
While Yeronga were still comfortable winners, there was a 98-point differential to the first time they met.
If that doesn’t tell you just how much the gap is closing, nothing will.
For three quarters, these two teams couldn’t be separated.
At 22-point apiece at the last change, another shock result was on the cards.
Yeronga clicked into gear in the last quarter though. Their legs were better, they were able to open up the game by foot, and they hit the scoreboard.
They had 10 scoring shots to Grange’s two in the final 20 minutes, which broke the game open and blew the margin out, which didn’t reflect the game.
Emily Bliss was the star for Yeronga this week, playing her best game for the year.
Yeronga go a game clear on top, which they probably wouldn’t have expected going into this week, but they will definitely take it.
ZILLMERE EAGLES v. COORPAROO
Zillmere Eagles 1.0, 1.5, 3.6, 3.9 (27)
Coorparoo 0.4, 0.6, 2.10, 2.10 (22)
Coorparoo came agonisingly close to their first win of the year on the weekend, it was up for grabs until the final seconds, but the Eagles were able to steady the ship and bank another four-points.
It wasn’t the highest scoring game of the year, but you cannot question the endeavor.
It was tight in the middle, the pressure was monumental, and it balanced on a knife-edge for the full 80 minutes.
Both teams were fairly inaccurate in front of the sticks, but it didn’t favour either side. Both had 12 scoring shots for the game.
Three-points in the final quarter for Zillmere got them over the line, while holding the Navy Roos scoreless.
Shaliese Law was the livewire for the Eagles, and Amanda Whitehead kicked two important goals that proved to be the difference in the end.
Rachel Crack continued her stellar 2016 with her third best on ground performance for Coorparoo in six games. She is their most important player without doubt.
They are building, Coorparoo. They are so close, a win is just around the corner.
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
