By Ant Wingard
Image: David Layden Photography
Experiences Roos ease past Gorillas in Grand Final rematch
Coorparoo has escaped from Brisbane’s north with a 28-point win against Wilston Grange in the two side’s first meeting since the 2018 QAFLW Grand Final.
The Kings, who entered the contest with a far more experienced line-up, were forced to wither a tense opening half to run away after the main break to earn some retribution after last year’s decider.
Coorparoo wing Jade Ellenger produced a best on ground performance in the win that has consolidated the southside team to within striking distance of the finals bracket.
Since returning from AFLW duties in Round 3, Ellenger has assumed a role in the midfield for the Kings and on the weekend, the 19-year-old was at her best.
In a game where space came at a premium, Ellenger and Coorparoo speedster Kayla Geddes were the ones to break the game open and pave the way for the Kings’ third win of the season.
The two sides broke even in the first half with Coorparoo holding a slim three-point margin at the main break.
Having spent most of the season to date across half-back, Jess Wuetschner was thrust back inside forward 50.
Her three majors – a game high – all came in the second half with two in the third quarter alone.
Her presence was pivotal in turning the game in the Kings’ favour as the away side produced eight scoring shots in the third to Grange’s mere two.
Their lead of two at half time was extended to 19 at the final break and when Wuetschner booted her third midway through the fourth, it spelt the end for the Gorillas.
Catherine Svrac was among the Gorillas’ best as a damaging half-back while Sarah Fuller and Maddison Peeters were also solid inside 50 for the Gorillas.
Coorparoo will host University of Queensland next week while Wilston Grange will face a trip north to face Maroochydore.
Coorparoo 2.3, 4.6, 7.11, 9.11 (65)
Wilston Grange 2.2, 4.3, 5.4, 5.7 (37)
GOALS, Coorparoo: J. Wuetschner 3, E. Zielke 2, S. Sayle 1, A. Anderson 1, J. Ellenger 1, E. Hampson 1. Wilston Grange: M. Peeters 2, G. Byrne 1, K. Tyquin 1, E. Bashforth 1.
BEST, Coorparoo: E. Hampson, J. Ellenger, C. Rousseau Forwood, S. Young, J. Wuetschner, K. Geddes. Wilston Grange: S. Fuller, C. Svarc, L. Unwin, A. Kelly, C. Litherland, M. Peeters.
Zimmi stars as Devils stun Bond University
Four goals from debutant Zimmorlei Farquharson has guided Yeronga South Brisbane to the biggest shock of the QAFLW season to date.
Farquharson, a Darling Downs product who was previously playing in the Youth Girls competition with Calamvale, became the match winner with a dazzling display inside 50 as the Devils coasted to a 66-point win over the ladder-leading Bond University.
Ahead of the game, Yeronga coach Aaron Russell was ecstatic at the inclusion of Farquharson to the Devils line-up and her inclusion paid immediate dividends.
In a season where results on any given weekend could fall in any team’s favour, Yeronga’s shock win over the Bullsharks, who for much of the season looked the team to beat, is perhaps the most astonishing.
Yeronga now comfortably have the wood over Bond University after backing up their last-minute win against the Gold Coast side in Round 1 and have drawn level with them atop the QAFLW standings.
For much of the contest, it seemed as if the Devils’ forward setup simply couldn’t miss.
After Emily Bates opened the scoring in the opening term, the Devils’ assault on the scoreboard continued as they booted 7.2 for the opening half – an accuracy of 77% in front of goal – all while restricting the Bullsharks to a mere two behinds.
Like Farquharson, Demi Leach’s inclusion back into the team also lifted the side as she and Jade Ransfield made their presence known with a combined five goals in the landmark win.
Bond University uncharacteristically struggled in front of goal and earned some reprieve in the second half with majors to Serene Watson and Esther Boles.
Best for Yeronga were midfielders Bates and Jordan Zanchetta while Farquharson was also named in the bests.
Yeronga will host Coolangatta next weekend while Bond University will also return home to host Aspley.
Yeronga South Brisbane 2.1, 7.2, 10.6, 12.9 (81)
Bond University 0.1, 0.2, 1.2, 2.3 (15)
GOALS, Yeronga South Brisbane: Z. Farquharson 4, J. Ransfield 3, D. Leach 2, T. Hutchinson 1, S. Virgo 1, E. Bates 1. Bond University: S. Watson, E. Boles.
BEST, Yeronga South Brisbane: E. Bates, J. Zanchetta, M. Goodwin, Z. Farquharson, D. Heslop, S. Virgo. Bond University: N/A.
Bluebirds back on the winners list
Coolangatta Tweed has responded from a difficult fortnight with a season-boosting 56-point win over newcomers Aspley.
The Bluebirds made their way back onto the winners’ list after two weeks in the loss column and it was once again Indy Sleeth who stood head and shoulders above the pack in the contest.
Sleeth returned to the Gold Coast club for the first time since 2016 after three seasons with Southern Districts in the NTFL Women’s competition and has proved a great asset for the Bluebirds in 2019.
Her performance against the Hornets was the second consecutive time she has earned best on ground honours for the side as they solidified their place in the QAFLW’s top three with the win.
Coolangatta managed to get the jump on the Hornets in the opening term, despite the latter already showing signs of improvement with one major before the first break.
The Bluebirds, in part thanks to the will of Maddy Roberts and Sleeth through the middle, pulled slightly away in the second as Coolangatta’s brigade of tall forwards began to wreak havoc on the contest.
Coolangatta leading goal kicker Sandra Carter continued her strong season with three majors, taking her season tally to 12 and good enough for equal fourth in the overall competition tally.
Carter was joined on the scoresheet with Brisbane Lions forward Bree McFarlane, who booted two majors in her return from a shoulder injury, while emerging tall Amy Fortescue also added her name to the goal scorer’s sheet.
Aspley earned some reprieve in the second with another major, but their scoring seemingly halted thereafter as Coolangatta dictated play to add another six majors in the second half.
Coolangatta’s win sets up a crucial matchup with second placed Yeronga at Leyshon Park next weekend while Aspley will travel to the Gold Coast to face Bond University.
Coolangatta Tweed 2.2, 4.3, 6.5, 10.8 (68)
Aspley Hornets 1.0, 2.0, 2.0, 2.0 (12)
GOALS, Coolangatta Tweed: S. Carter 3, B. McFarlane 2, H. Mirfield 1, A. Fortescue 1, A. Peterson 1, M. Smith 1, M. Roberts 1. Aspley Hornets: M. Lanigan 1, L. Pengelly 1.
BEST, Coolangatta Tweed: I. Sleeth, M. Roberts, A. Powell, J. Dupuy, A. Fortescue, S. Carter. Aspley Hornets: L. Pengelly, K. Cantrell, A. Lingard, T. Stevenson, M. Lanigan, A. van de Wiel.
Red Lions return home ushered in with a win
University of Queensland have celebrated the opening of their new facility in the best way possible with a season-lifting 53-point win over Maroochydore in St Lucia.
The QAFLW’s nomads returned home for their first proper home game in over a season, and the often see-sawing Red Lions were red hot in the contest to glisten their new venue and leapfrog to Roos into the top four.
Heading into the contest, the Red Lions found themselves on the outside looking in while the Roos were sitting comfortably in third place, but the result has almost flipped the top end of the ladder with Maroochydore now finding themselves down in fifth.
The Roos managed to get the fast break in the contest, drawing first blood on the scoreboard with a quick major from Rachel McDowell who continues to perform
McDowell’s goal, scored within the first minute of play, set the tempo for a fast-paced affair as both sides traded goals to round out the term.
The Red Lions trailed early in the fray and despite opportune chances to peg back the lead, inaccuracy continued to plague the side as the entered the first change down.
Following the break, University of Queensland seemingly overcame their accuracy yips to storm away in the second term.
Throughout the game, born again forward Megan Hunt continued to show her goal scoring knack with haul of four – the third time this season she has booted four of more in a game.
Their potency continued in the second half and it soon became evident the Red Lions would prevail on their new home deck, racing away with three more in the third and two more in the fourth.
While Hunt starred forward of centre, it was Nat Grider who was the game’s most influential player in the midfield.
For Maroochydore, Shannon Campbell continued to work tirelessly despite ending the game without a goal.
Maroochydore will host Wilston grange next week while University of Queensland will make the trip to Giffin Park to play Coorparoo.
University of Queensland 1.3, 7.3, 10.5, 12.6 (78)
Maroochydore 2.0, 3.1, 3.2, 4.2 (25)
GOALS, University of Queensland: M. Hunt 4, S. Webb 2, E. Casey 2, G. Bodey 2, N. Exon 2. Maroochydore: R. McDowell 2, L. Postlethwaite 1, G. Doherty 1.
BEST, University of Queensland: N. Grider, M. Hunt, N. Exon, A. Moran, J. Henning, G. Bodey. Maroochydore: S. Campbell, G. Doherty, H. Malone, L. Postlethwaite, M. Harmer, T. Gesch.
