2017 Bond University QWAFL – Round 13 Wrap
Round 13 results:
Yeronga South Brisbane 14.13 (97) def. Maroochydore 1.1 (7)
Zillmere Eagles 0.0 (0) def. by Wilston Grange 16.25 (121)
Coorparoo 10.11 (71) def. Coolangatta Tweed 4.1 (25)
BYE: University of Queensland
Kings push premiership credentials:
Coming up against a seriously understaffed Coolangatta in the QWAFL Match of the Round, Coorparoo showed they’ve got a real shot at the flag if they keep playing the type of footy we saw on Saturday. The Kings were clinical with their ball use for most of the game, executing difficult kicks to constantly probe the Bluebirds defence and hit the scoreboard. Britt Gibson was in ripper form on the day, playing predominately in a half-forward role which saw her drift across the forward flank and resulted in multiple long-distance goals from set shots.
Nakayla Robertson was prominent throughout the match and worked well with Emma McKenzie who played a big role in feeding the footy to Coorparoo’s midfielders via ruck taps. Coolangatta played exceptionally well given their playing stocks had been decimated by injury and illness during the week, but were simply no match for the dominant Kings.
Peeters closes gap:
A seven-goal effort by Maddison Peeters against Zillmere on Saturday has brought the Wilston Grange spearhead right back into consideration for the QWAFL leading goal-scorer award. Peeters was fed the ball on numerous occasions via the Grange midfield, which was led superbly by captain Courtney Daniec who worked overtime without subs to be best on ground.
Peeters’ haul takes her to 27 goals for the season, one short of former Brisbane Lion Jade Ransfield who bagged three herself for Yeronga. Peeters could have had more on the day, but was let down by a few poor kicks for minor scores. She’ll have the opportunity to make amends and reclaim top spot next week when Grange take on Coolangatta.
Cantrell, Fowler stand up for Devils:
Despite suffering their first loss of the season last week, Yeronga seem to be putting everything in place to mount a serious finals campaign come late August. The Devils’ 90-point victory over a resilient Maroochydore side has steadied the ship down at Yeronga and suggested last week’s capitulation against Wilston Grange was just a blip on the radar. Kaitlyn Cantrell was one of the best on ground for the Devils, busting her gut all day through the midfield and forward line to put her team in the best position possible, and even managed a goal of her own in the first quarter.
Erica Fowler was also a dominant force for Yeronga in the ruck, working in tandem with Jessy Keefe while also hurting the Roos on the scoreboard with three goals. It was a timely performance by Fowler, who could be in contention for a ruck spot on the Brisbane Lions 2018 AFLW list if she can catch the eye of coach Craig Starcevich with more promising performances like this one. Nevertheless, her primary focus right now will be to do everything she can to secure a flag for the Devils.
The ladder now:
With their win over Maroochydore, Yeronga hold onto top spot on 32 points. However Coorparoo have jumped into second place after taking down Coolangatta and will battle Yeronga for first place on the ladder next week. If the Kings knock off Yeronga as well, they can finish top of the ladder with a clean sweep of their following three matches. Currently in third position is Coolangatta on 28 points, followed by Wilston Grange (26), University of Queensland (22), Maroochydore (10) and Zillmere (0).
By Josh Cheadle
Twitter: @JoshCheadle20
