By Ant Wingard
Wilston Grange 1.3, 5.3, 7.4, 7.9 (51)
Coolangatta Tweed 2.4, 2.5, 2.8, 3.9 (27)
GOALS, Wilston Grange: J. Stanton 2, J. Abbott 2, D. Gisu 1, S. Campbell 1, S. Wheeler 1. Coolangatta Tweed: L. Turney 1, S. Goodman 1, S. Carter 1.
BEST, Wilston Grange: K. Lutkins, E. MacNeill, J. Stanton, S. Wheeler, T. Randall, S. Campbell. Coolangatta Tweed: S. Goodman, L. Turney, T. Daly, M. Roberts, H. Sexton, L. Kaslar.
A fast start away from home couldn’t guide Coolangatta Tweed to an underdog win over first-placed Wilston Grange as the Gorillas ran away 24-point winners as the home side returned to the winner’s circle once again.
The Bluebirds kicked two goals to one in the opening stanza, with the two majors coming via early clearance dominance and relentless forward pressure, but the side couldn’t sustain their efforts for the full four quarters.
Instead, it was Wilson Grange, who booted eight goals to one in the final three quarters, that won out, and all but seal the minor premiership following their hiccup against University of Queensland last week.
Brisbane Lions AFLW teammates Kate Lutkins and Leah Kaslar, who was thrown forward at stages for the Bluebirds, went head to head.
While Lutkins was able to bare her dominance in the air, Kaslar provided a handy target for Coolangatta inside 50 and played a role in generating several her side’s scoring opportunities.
At the other end, the Gorillas’ usual influencers hit the scoreboard for the home side as Jamie Stanton and Jemma Abbott both booted two majors.
For Coolangatta, the loss was their third in a row and jeopardises the Bluebirds’ top-three aspirations. Their string of defeats has allowed Bond University to draw level on six wins in the ladder and matchups against University of Queensland in Coorparoo in the coming fortnight pose a challenge to the Bluebirds’ finals hopes.
University of Queensland 2.2, 3.5, 7.7, 8.8 (56)
Yeronga South Brisbane 1.0, 3.1, 4.5, 4.5 (29)
GOALS, University of Queensland: S. Frederick-Traub 4, M. Moloney 2, D. Davidson 1, G. Collingwood 1. Yeronga South Brisbane: C. McDonnell 1, K. Cantrell 1, K. Howarth 1, J. Keeffe 1.
BEST, University of Queensland: B. Koenen, M. Moloney, N. Grider, M. Hunt, M. Martin, M. Beaven. Yeronga South Brisbane: E. Bliss, E. Madden, M. Walsh, J. Ransfield, D. Heslop, K. Cantrell.
University of Queensland’s late season revival continued in Round 15 as the Red Lions secured a must-win victory at the expense of Yeronga, whose similar late-year renaissance has perhaps come to an end.
The 27-point victory lifts the Red Lions into fifth place in the Bond University QWAFL ladder, trailing Bond University and Coolangatta Tweed in the leadup to finals.
For Yeronga however, the loss effectively puts their hopes of finals football in 2018 in the hands of the three teams still jostling for the final two positions as they now find themselves two games behind the pack.
Sabrina Frederick-Traub was the star of the show for the Red Lions as the spearhead booted a game-high four goals and provided a constant threat inside 50 and up the ground.
After an arm-wrestle in the opening 15 minutes, she got the scoring underway with a routine set-shot before Dakota Davidson extended their lead moments later.
The Red Lions controlled their influence on the scoreboard throughout the four quarters; keeping their noses just far enough in front.
Yeronga fought back in the second term and trailed by just four points at the main break, but five goals to one second half, including a crafty snap from Red Lion Gabby Collingwood ensured the four points remained north of the river.
The Devils’ afternoon was soured not only by the loss, but by the absence of youngster Renee Cowan in the opening seconds to a suspected knee injury.
Following the game, Yeronga will face an inform Bond University team while University of Queensland will play another crucial matchup against Coolangatta Tweed.
Bond University 2.1, 6.4, 7.4, 10.7 (67)
Maroochydore 0.0, 0.0, 0.1, 0.1 (1)
GOALS, Bond University: K. Scherer 5, A. Evans 2, C. Hammans 1, X. Cerutti 1, R. Adamson 1. Maroochydore: N/A.
BEST, Bond University: K. Scherer, A. Evans, C. Hammans, G. Eller, S. Watson, T. Smith. Maroochydore: K. Surman, R. Crack, A. Hales, T. King, N. Stewart, J. Sills.
Katrina Scherer’s rapid ascent in the QWAFL reached a new high on Saturday evening as the American booted a round-high five goals in the Bullsharks’ 66-point win over Maroochydore.
Scherer, who was playing just her fourth game for Bond University after crossing the Pacific from Ohio, used her blend of height and speed to terrorise the Roos at the goal face.
The five-goal haul means Scherer has kicked eight goals in four games and places her third in the competition – behind only Red Lion Sabrina Frederick-Traub and King Jenae Govan – for average goals per game.
Bond University’s win was the side’s best ever result in the QWAFL and has lifted the side into fourth position on the ladder.
The result also puts the Bullsharks in prime position to qualify for finals ahead of University of Queensland and Yeronga.
The Bullshark’s dominated possession throughout the early stages of the game and produced continuous scoring opportunities.
The home side booted only two goals during the first term, but that figure could have easily been more if not for a Scherer shot which dropped short and some stout defending from Roo Rachel Crack who acted as a goal keeper several times.
The Bullsharks’ onslaught continued in the second term, kicking their third goal of the game within second of play through Xanthe Cerutti.
Scherer added her second minutes later as Bond University added another two majors before half time.
A tighter second half saw just one goal scored in the third term before the Bluebirds ramped up their efforts again in the final term to pile on three more before the game’s end.
Bond University face a crucial matchup with Yeronga next week while Maroochydore will travel to Coorparoo to face the Kings.
