By Ant Wingard
Bond University v Yeronga South Brisbane
Yeronga South Brisbane 2.3, 6.3, 7.3, 9.3 (57)
Bond University 0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 5.1 (31)
GOALS, Yeronga South Brisbane: D. Leach 3, K. Howarth 2, J. Zanchetta 2, J. Ransfield 1, J. Banks 1. Bond University: C. Hammans 2, T. Perry 1, R. Saliadarre 1, X. Cerutti 1.
BEST, Yeronga South Brisbane: E. Bliss, E. Bates, D. Leach, J. Banks, J. Keeffe, J. Zanchetta. Bond University: T. Perry, A. Clarke, E. Sundstrom, R. Saliadarre, K. Scherer, X. Cerutti.
Bond University’s fairy tale run in their maiden QWAFL season has come to a premature end with a 26-point loss to Yeronga South Brisbane on Saturday evening.
After a run of consecutive victories, the Bullsharks couldn’t sustain their sublime form from the past fortnight against the Devils, who in stark contrast, can still mathematically make finals with a win in Round 17.
The loss places Bond University level with University of Queensland, Coolangatta Tweed and Yeronga – all on 24 points – however the Bullsharks are the only team unable to make an impact in the coming week given they have the bye.
Yeronga however, with the win, can still make finals in the unlikely scenario that they beat frontrunners Wilston Grange; coupled with a Bluebirds loss, in the last fixture of the home and away season.
Bond University struggled to make the scoresheet in the first half against the QWAFL’s second-worst defensive team, kicking just one goal until the main break.
Instead, it was Yeronga who booted their way to scoreboard dominance in the opening two quarters.
Aided by Emily Bates in the midfield, the Devils kicked two goals in the opening term and broke the game open in the second with another four.
The Bullsharks produced the first clearance of the second half, and within a minute through Tasmin Perry, kicked their second goal of the game.
Despite the ball remaining in the forward line for much of the term, Bond University couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard with their season on the line.
Yeronga were able to respond with another goal in the third term and added two goals to three in the final quarter when the game was all but decided.
QWAFL One to Watch candidate, Demi Leach, kicked a game-high three goals for the home side while Jordan Zanchetta added two in a game where she was also named in the bests.
Coorparoo v Maroochydore
Coorparoo 2.1, 3.10, 7.12, 12.15 (87)
Maroochydore 1.0, 1.0, 1.0, 1.1 (7)
GOALS, Coorparoo: J. Govan 5, J. Wuetschner 2, M. Forbes 2, M. Ingram 1, T. Groves-Little 1, J. Ellenger 1. Maroochydore: L. Barklimore 1.
BEST, Coorparoo: S. Young, J. Ellenger, J. Wuetschner, T. Groves-Little, E. Mckenzie, G. Paulsen. Maroochydore: C. Croyden, R. Crack, T. Day, J. Sills, K. Sills, J. Epstein.
Coorparoo continue to warm towards the finals with a big 80-point win over an undermanned Maroochydore squad at home on Saturday evening.
The Kings met a tough Roos outfit who had nothing to lose and were without a number of their key players for the matchup.
The game itself was played with finals-like intensity as Maroochydore were able to find plenty of the ball and added considerable pressure to Coorparoo when they didn’t.
But despite the Roos’ best efforts, Coorparoo were still able to take control of the contest early albeit in very inefficient fashion.
Maroochydore kicked the first goal of the game through Laura Barklimore as Coorparoo managed just 3.10 in the first half as the side struggled to find any sort of rhythm inside 50.
The team’s ineffectiveness was the main story line as the two sides headed for the main break, with the margin sitting at 22-points.
Following the break, Coorparoo’s yips finally ceded, and the side began to assert themselves on the scoreboard.
QWAFL leading goal kicker Jenae Govan added another five to her yearly tally against the Roos and has all but etched her name on the trophy with her performance.
Govan was one of many Kings to hit the scoreboard as the home side piled on four and five goals in the third and fourth quarters respectively.
Jess Wuetschner chimed in with two goals of her own while Under-18 products Tori Groves-Little and Jade Ellenger also featured.
The 13-goal victory ensured Coorparoo will finish the season in second place meaning the team have locked away a double-chance in the finals – something Kings Head Coach Michael Hewitt has been desperate to accomplish for weeks.
For Maroochydore though, the game was very much a metaphor for their season at large – relentless pressure around the ball yet just without a continual presence on the scoreboard.
University of Queensland v Coolangatta Tweed
University of Queensland 4.2, 5.3, 7.5, 8.7 (55)
Coolangatta Tweed 0.0, 0.0, 0.1, 0.2 (2)
GOALS, University of Queensland: S. Frederick-Traub 3, K. McCarthy 1, M. McGorm 1, N. Grider 1, E. Pericic 1, J. Childes 1. Coolangatta Tweed: n/a.
BEST, University of Queensland: N. Grider, M. Moloney, A. McNabb, M. Beaven. Coolangatta Tweed: L. Turney, Z. Wood, E. Hagan, M. Roberts, Z. Lattanzi, B. Pinchin.
University of Queensland’s Hail Mary run towards the 2018 finals reached another level in Round 16 with a convincing 53-point win over Coolangatta Tweed.
The Red Lions entered the contest in a peculiar position – a win over the third-placed Bluebirds would propel them into the frame for a fourth placed finish, but a loss would have either Yeronga or Bond University gain the upper-hand.
Many QWAFL observers expected University of Queensland to challenge Coolangatta, but little expected the result that would come to be.
The Red Lions mounted an onslaught in the opening term with four goals to none leaving the away side stunned.
Sabrina Frederick-Traub was the first to add her name to the goal sheet with a calm set-shot under minimal pressure.
Emma Pericic and Jane Childes soon got in on the blitz and by the first break, the margin was already 26-points.
UQ’s dominance, led by outside midfielder Nat Grider, continued in the second and third terms where the side added three further goals while still keeping the Bluebirds’ ineffective in front of goal.
An uncharacteristic error from Bluebirds defender Emily Hagan allowed Grider to swoop and ice the game in the final quarter with her first goal of the day.
With the win, the Red Lions leapfrog the entire pack and now find themselves firmly in third place while for the Bluebirds, the loss sends their 2018 campaign into freefall.
Coolangatta, who in all likelihood, will finish the season fourth, could qualify for finals on the string of five straight defeats if the side are unable to turn their fortunes next week against Coorparoo.
