Round 5 results:
Maroochydore 3.3 (21) def. by Coolangatta Tweed 7.8 (50)
University of Queensland 6.12 (48) def. Wilston Grange 5.1 (31)
Coorparoo 18.10 (118) def. Zillmere Eagles 0.0 (0)
What mattered most:
While the QWAFL’s experienced campaigners have decided the last few rounds, this weekend saw the breakthrough of some promising young talent. Zoe Lattanzi, Hannah Sexton and Beth Pinchin were all excellent for Coolangatta against Maroochydore, and despite going down to the Bluebirds, Maroochydore had some standouts in Shannon Campbell and Tiff Dale. Emma Pericic was one of the best for UQ in their victory over Grange, while in the other camp it was Gorillas’ captain Courtney Daniec and Brisbane Lions player Tahlia Randall who made a difference. U18 representative Tahlia Hickie carried her good form into this weekend for Coorparoo and made an immediate impact, kicking two goals in her first senior game for the club.
Almighty Kings:
Coorparoo, fresh from a bye, returned to QWAFL footy this weekend in emphatic fashion with a one-sided victory over the struggling Eagles. The Kings were fluent with their ball use on the day and served up a consistent four-quarter effort and barely looked troubled by Zillmere. Small forward Jessica Wuetschner was dangerous in front of goals, finishing with a bag of four along with Coorparoo youth product Abby-Leigh Molloy. Brooke Spence and Rachel Crack were among the best of a dominant Kings line-up and will take confidence out of the way they were able to find and dispose of the footy on Saturday.
Red Lions too strong for Gorillas:
With a score-line of 20 to zero at quarter time, UQ could have been forgiven for allowing themselves to relax a little in their game against Wilston Grange. But there’s no room for complacency in the QWAFL, as the Gorillas stormed through a three-goal second quarter to see them trailing by just seven points at the main break. Skipper Courtney Daniec and Jamie Stanton were crucial in the Grange revival, seeing plenty of the footy and using it well. Some accurate kicking from UQ could have given them some breathing space heading into the final quarter, but some wayward shots at goal resulted in a 4.11 score at three quarter time against Grange’s four-straight. The Red Lions ultimately held off a determined Gorillas outfit and kicked a couple of final-quarter goals to win by 17 points. Nicole Hildebrand was outstanding for UQ on the day while Jessi Henning backed up a fantastic Round 4 effort with another excellent performance.
The ladder now:
Coolangatta’s victory over the Roos has seen them jump a game clear at the top of the table on 14 points with just the one loss to their name. Yeronga still sit in second after a bye week and remain undefeated from their two games. Coorparoo, Grange and UQ are placed below Yeronga on percentage are all still within striking distance with their two wins and 10 points. Maroochydore and Zillmere round out the competition with six and zero points respectively.
By Josh Cheadle
Twitter: JoshCheadle20
