QWFA Division 1
By Ant Wingard
Coorparoo v Aspley
Saturday, August 11, 4:45pm
Giffin Park Oval, Coorparoo
After a weekend off in the first weekend of the finals, a place in the big dance is up for grabs for either the Kings or Hornets in what is the biggest game of the season for both clubs.
Having finished the regular season with a bye, Aspley will head into the contest having not played a game of football in 21 days and it remains to be seen whether or not the North Brisbane side can respond after such a long spell without competitive action.
Following their bye in Round 4, the Hornets produced one of their less impressive performances in what was an otherwise dominant season.
Despite playing at home, the side played out a draw with Broadbeach, who lost in the finals last week, in what was Aspley’s second lowest score of the season.
Coorparoo haven’t fared much better however given the side also had a bye in the second last round of the home and away season.
While the Hornets enjoyed their week off in Round 16 though, the Kings pounced and produced a 142-point win over Maroochydore to dethrone Aspley and claim the minor premiership.
The two sides have emerged as the best in the competition this season, with both just losing one game all year.
In their previous matchup, Aspley were victorious after Shaye Easton booted a game-high two goals en route to the Hornets’ 21-point victory.
The stakes for the showdown couldn’t be any higher either, with the winner booking their ticket to the Grand Final, while the loser will face off in a Preliminary Final against the winner of Moreton Bay v Burleigh next week.
Moreton Bay v Burleigh
Saturday, August 11, 4:45pm
Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex
Both Moreton Bay and Burleigh produced season defining wins last weekend in their respective finals, but both sides will need to replicate their elimination final form again if they hope to advance far into the post season.
Burleigh enjoyed an eight-point win over Gold Coast rivals Broadbeach last week while Moreton Bay produced another scintillating performance against Kedron to claim a 17-point victory.
Queensland Under 18 state representative Lily Postlethwaite was instrumental in the Lions’ finals win last weekend and it’s likely the light-footed midfielder will play a significant role in how this game will eventuate.
In their only other matchup this season, the Lions carved up a 40-point win over Burleigh with Postlethwaite playing a starring role in the matchup.
She finished the goal with three goals; one of which came in the third term which was the catalyst for the victory.
Despite a loss in that game, Burleigh managed to match it with the Lions for two and a half quarters and will take confidence from that ahead of their rematch this week.
It’s season over for whichever team can’t produced a win in the game, but for the winner, a date with the loser of Coorparoo v Aspley awaits.
QWFA Division 2 North
By Sophie Wheeler
After the weekend’s conclusion of the QWFA Division 2 North regular season, the Jindalee Jaguars, the Hinterland Blues, the Sandgate Hawks and the Pine Rivers Swans will proceed to finals and battle it out for the premiership flag.
Jindalee Jaguars vs Hinterland Blues
Saturday, 11th August 2018, 3:00pm
Jindalee Recreational Reserve
Minor premiers Jindalee Jaguars will take on second-placed Hinterland blues in the first round of finals this Saturday.
The two teams went head-to-head in round six, where Jindalee took home a 20-point win.
The Jaguars have been the league’s most dominant side all season and will head into finals undefeated.
Their stellar form this year comes on the back of a gruelling 2017 season in the QWFA Division 1 competition, where they were unable to register a win.
However, if the Hinterland Blue’s performance over the last two rounds are anything to go by, the Jaguars have a tough contest ahead of them.
The Blues have scored a combined 195 points in their last two games while rendering both of their opponents, Kedron and Pine Rivers, scoreless.
The winner of the match will secure their spot in the Grand Final and enjoy a week off while the other team faces off against the winner of the Sandgate and Pine Rivers clash.
Sandgate Hawks vs Pine Rivers Swans
Saturday, 11th August 2018, 4:45pm
Sandgate AFC, Lemke Rd Sandgate
The Sandgate Hawks have finished their season in third place and will take on fourth-placed Pine Rivers Swans in this Saturday’s knock-out semi-final.
Sandgate finished the regular season two wins clear of the Swans.
The two sides have only had one encounter this season in round nine, where the Hawks recorded a narrow two-point win.
Last season, Pine Rivers found themselves in a similar underdog position, only just qualifying for finals in fifth position while Sandgate finished third.
The Swans managed to proceed to the preliminary finals where they unexpectedly defeated the Hawks by four goals, extinguishing their premiership hopes.
The outcome of the match will depend on what’s stronger- Sandgate’s willingness to redeem themselves after last year’s final loss, or Pine River’s determination to replicate last season’s unanticipated finals form.
QWFA Div 2 South Preview
By Sophie Wheeler
The QWFA Division 2 South final series will kick off this weekend with top-four qualifying teams the Morningside Panthers, the Robina Roos, the Mt Gravatt Vultures and the Coomera Magpies fighting for premiership glory.
Morningside vs Robina
Saturday 11th of August 2018, 4.45pm
Morningside- Jack Esplen Oval
A place in the Grand Final will be up for grabs this weekend as the Morningside Panthers take on the Robina Roos in Saturday’s first semi-final.
Morningside and Robina completed the regular season in first and second place respectively.
This year marks both club’s inaugural season in the QWFA competition, having never entered a women’s team in any division before.
The two sides have encountered each other twice this season in rounds 4 and 11.
Morningside came out on top on both occasions, but both matches were narrowly won by margins of less than four goals.
Although the Panthers have won both games this season, they will face a strong Robina squad who have rounded off their season with two convincing wins of over 50 points.
The match could also see the league’s top two goalkickers compete for bragging rights after tying in the scoring tally at the completion of the regular season.
Morningside’s Mary Ross and Robina’s Sarah Ellis have consistently showcased their remarkable scoring abilities all season, booting 31 goals apiece.
Mt Gravatt vs Coomera
Saturday 11th of August 2018, time 4:45PM
Mt Gravatt- Dittmer Park
The Mt Gravatt Vultures will take on the Coomera Magpies in a knock out semi-final match this Saturday.
Mt Gravatt finished the regular season one game clear of Coomera, who were able to sneak their way into finals over Surfers Paradise on percentage alone.
The two sides have encountered each other twice this season in rounds 6 and 10.
The Vultures defeated the Magpies on both occasions by 22 and 9 points respectively.
However, Coomera will head into the finals looking to continue their current hot streak of wins, having not lost a game since their last encounter with Mt Gravatt.
Coomera are also the only side to have defeated minor premiers Morningside throughout the regular season after a gutsy single-point win over the side in round 11.
Coomera will need to cause an upset of similar magnitudes to defeat Mt Gravatt and progress to the preliminary finals.
