By Ant Wingard @AntWingard
Elimination Final 1: Moreton Bay v Kedron
Saturday August 4, 4:45PM
Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex
Kedron will travel north to the Sunshine Coast with a slight chip on their shoulder as the sixth placed Lions face the similarly named Moreton Bay Lions who finished the season in third position.
The sixth seed qualified for finals in the last round of the season via a narrow nine-point win over Wilston Grange who dropped out of the finals bracket after the loss despite boasting a superior percentage.
Now, Kedron faces the challenge of facing a side who produced 300 more points throughout the season than they did. The stage is set for a genuine David v Goliath battle.
Moreton Bay finished the season with five straight victories following their Round 11 bye including strong wins over Yeronga, Coolangatta and Burleigh.
Their key inside 50 will likely be Cassandra Chamings, who booted 18 goals throughout the season – the fourth best tally in the competition.
But while goals became the stock and trade for Moreton Bay, Kedron struggled to hit the scoreboard; particularly in the second half of the season.
The side from Brisbane’s north averaged just 2.25 goals after Round 8 across an eight-game stretch where they won three games.
Kedron’s biggest strength however, lies within their ability to restrict teams defensively and represents their best chance of winning against Moreton Bay this weekend.
On eight occasions this season, Kedron were able to hold their opposition to four goals or less including minor premier, Coorparoo in Round 3.
Elimination Final 2: Broadbeach v Burleigh
Saturday August 4, 4:45PM
Subaru Oval, Broadbeach
After dominating QWFA Division 2 last season, Broadbeach have taken to life in QWFA Division 1 seamlessly and their maiden season in the competition has already been hailed a success.
Their eight wins was good enough to finish in fourth position, but their positive season could mean little if the Cats ensure a premature exit in the first week of finals.
Similarly, their opponents – Burleigh – finished with eight wins on the season and a mere two points, courtesy of Broadbeach’s Round 5 draw with Aspley, was the only difference between the two teams.
The two sides faced off twice throughout the season with both the Cats and Bombers enjoying a win over their Gold Coast rival.
A six goal to three opening half in the Round 2 matchup between the two sides paved the way for Burleigh’s 37-point win but in Round 8, the Cats edged out a win with a come from behind performance to snatch the four points by a solitary point.
Like any true premiership contender, Broadbeach made a name for themselves throughout the season for grinding out close wins. The Cats won three matchups by five points or less including the nail bite against the Bombers in Round 8.
Burleigh, in contrast, produced a number of commanding wins throughout the season and through a dynamic forward line spearheaded by Wendy Bristow, averaged a winning margin of 43-points; significantly greater than the Cats’ even 30 points.
Photo: Kelvin Mills
