By Ant Wingard
Elimination Final 1: Moreton Bay v Kedron
Moreton Bay 1.0, 4.1, 4.3, 4.6 (30)
Kedron 0.0, 1.0, 2.1, 2.1 (13)
GOALS, Moreton Bay: A. Higgins 2, C. Chamings 1, L. Postlethwaite 1. Kedron: E. Rogers 1, L. Asimcdonald 1.
BEST, Moreton Bay: L. Postlethwaite, R. Reeves, T. Morrison, S. Roberts, T. McKee, B. Jeffery. Kedron: M. Kesselly, S. Anderson, M. Barron, S. Pa.
A masterclass from Under 18 Queensland representative Lily Postlethwaite paved the way for Moreton Bay’s Elimination Final victory over Kedron on Saturday.
Just one month removed from representing her state at the NAB AFL Women’s National Championships, Postlethwaite this time flew the flag for the home team Lions in a commanding finals victory.
The pint-sized midfielder; despite being just 17-years-old, produced a best on ground performance and found herself on the scoresheet with one of her side’s four goals to keep Moreton Bay’s premiership hopes alive.
Moreton Bay led from start to finish in the contest and had a stronghold on the game throughout the four quarters in what was a well-polished victory for the third-placed Lions.
Amy Higgins got the scoring underway in the opening term as it soon became evident this was a game to be played mostly on Moreton Bay’s terms.
With a six-goal buffer up their sleeve at quarter time, Moreton Bay unleashed in the second term against Kedron.
Through Cassandra Chamings, Postlethwaite and Higgins, the Lions kicked away to a 19-point lead at the main break and had a victory well in their sights.
Kedron fired back with their own in the second term and then again in the third but couldn’t muster enough to overcome Moreton Bay’s mammoth second term.
The away side’s third quarter goal was the only major of the second-half where the game was played almost exclusively between the arcs.
Moreton Bay continued to attack but failed to add to their four goals, chalking up an inaccurate five behinds after the main break.
With the win, Moreton Bay will now face Burleigh in a Semi Final this Saturday at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex.
Elimination Final 2: Broadbeach v Burleigh
Burleigh 1.2, 2.2, 3.2, 4.3 (27)
Broadbeach 0.0, 1.4, 2.7, 2.7 (19)
GOALS, Burleigh: L. Pingel 1, A. Jenkins 1, W. Bristow 1, L. Theodore 1. Broadbeach: E. Schippers 1, M. Watt 1.
BEST, Burleigh: P. Plagens, L. Pingel, Z. Cheffers, E. Wallace. Broadbeach: T. Smith, M. Watt, E. Brown, K. Harris, R. Goodwin, K. McClelland.
A fourth-quarter goal from Lydia Pingel was enough to see the Burleigh Bombers to victory over Gold Coast rivals Broadbeach in the second Elimination Final of the QWFA Division 1 competition.
With just one point separating the two sides at the final break, Pingel made the most of her opportunity and booted her third major of the season to keep Burleigh’s season alive.
Pingel’s lone goal was the only score of the final quarter, yet it was enough to secure the eight-point victory and extender her side’s run in the finals for another week.
Burleigh controlled the lead on the scoreboard for most of the game’s duration, but the game at large was a genuine arm-wrestle, with neither side able to definitively will themselves more than two goals in front.
The Bombers got the fast break in the game, kicking the opening goal of the game through Wendy Bristow, but couldn’t make the most of their advantage with two more behinds handing the home side an eight-point lead at the first change.
In the second term, they soon added their second major through Amanda Jenkins despite Broadbeach – in their maiden season at Division 1 level – beginning to get creative inside 50.
The Cats soon kicked their first goal of the game but much like Burleigh in the opening term, couldn’t capitalise on their opportunities and piled on four behinds to the half.
Broadbeach and Burleigh, through Lauren Theodore, again added one more major in the third term but inaccuracy by way of the Cats ensured the away side maintained their lead.
Broadbeach’s loss puts a premature end to the side’s finals campaign in their new division in what was their second loss of the season to Burleigh.
Burleigh will now face Moreton Bay in a Semi Final showdown at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex.
