By Beth Newman
They’ve been the two best women’s sides this year and Coorparoo and Yeronga will have the chance to battle it out again in this weekend’s grand final, after the Roos defeated Zillmere on Sunday.
Coorparoo won through with a 15.12 (102) – 10.7 (67) victory over the Eagles in their preliminary final, to set up a decider against Yeronga.
The Roos got out to a strong start, with a four goal first quarter lead and stayed on top for the rest of the day.
Coorparoo coach, Damien Richards, said his side was excited to get another bite at the cherry against the Devils on Sunday.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for the girls,” he said.
“We’ve worked hard all season to try and knock them off and deserve to have another go.”
Richards said the Roos were patchy against the Eagles, but was happy to get the result in the end.
“We didn’t quite string four quarters together but we played well in patches and it was enough to get us over the line,” he said.
“Our skill level was a fair bit higher, out ball movement was good and we seemed to hit our targets really well.”
Amy Stead, Sheena Sidin and Emma Zielke were the standouts for Coorparoo in the win.
Eagles coach, Geoff Webster, said the Roos’ scoring at vital junctures in the match proved the difference on the day.
“Their ability to score goals at critical times, their run and carry with their midfield was very organised and very strong,” he said.
“I thought the game itself was a very high standard and anyone watching would have been pretty impressed with the standard.”
Webster applauded the efforts of Queensland rep, Ally Anderson, after the match.
“She just ran her heart out at every contest,” he said.
“She fought ferociously while she had the footy but also fought ferociously when she didn’t have the footy and her work backwards and forwards was a pleasure to watch.”
While they fell one short of the decider, Webster said he was optimistic about the Eagles’ long-term prospects, after their U18 side claimed the premiership on the weekend.
“The future of the club is looking pretty good with obvious talent coming through the U18s,” he said.
If he can keep hold of those girls, I think will be playing in the last game of the year and hopefully win flags.”
Coorparoo takes on Yeronga in the SEQAFL Women’s League Division 1 grand final on Sunday August 18 at 1:45pm at E.K Anderson Oval, Kedron.
DIVISION 2
Griffith Moorooka’s 2013 improvement has been rewarded with an inaugural grand final berth, after a 4.13 (37) -1.2 (8) preliminary final win over Logan.
The Reds looked the better of the sides from the outset, leading the whole way.
Reds guns, Samantha Virgo and Sarah Duncan sliced open the Cobras, both putting in sensational performances and breaking early tags.
For the Cobras, Brooke Carroll fought hard all day, but it wasn’t quite enough to get them over the line.
Griffith coach, Adam Fry said he was ecstatic with the result, and looking forward to taking on Palm Beach in the decider on Sunday.
“That game was probably our best performance of the year,” he said.
“We trained really well and I’m a big believer of that you take how you train into the next game.
“Our key focus throughout training was to win the clearances and minimise the effect of Addy (Adair Henderson) and we did that well.”
In only their second season in the women’s league, Fry said it was exciting for the side to have the opportunity to play in a grand final.
“A lot of girls haven’t had this feeling or experience before and they’ll be getting quite nervous,” he said.
“There’s a lot of excitement around the club at the moment.”
Logan coach, Fred Meddings, acknowledged that Griffith were simply the better side on the day.
“When it’s all boiled down, we were outplayed by a better team and that’s the way it goes,” he said.
“We’ll be better for the experience. Hopefully we can keep the squad together and get some more young ones next season.”
Meddings said he was pleased with the effort shown by his side on the day, and through the season, after an interrupted lead up earlier in the year.
“I set out at the start of the season to achieve five wins and we did that,” he said.
“Our preparation was absolutely horrible because it was only about six weeks to go we got onto our own ground because of all the floods and contamination.
“If we can get a full preseason we’re going to be a lot better for it.”
Griffith Moorooka will take on Palm Beach in the SEQAFL Women’s League Division Two grand final at 11:00am at EK Anderson Oval, Kedron.
