By Ant Wingard @AntWingard
YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE v. COOLANGATTA TWEED
Coolangatta Tweed 2.2, 6.3, 9.6, 12.7 (79)
Yeronga South Brisbane 2.1, 2.5, 2.7, 2.9 (21)
GOALS, Coolangatta Tweed: L. James 5, G. Moodie 2, A. Hamlyn 2, S. Carter 1, B. McFarlane 1, B. Brymer 1. Yeronga South Brisbane: D. Leach 1, J. Ransfield 1.
BEST, Coolangatta Tweed: S. Carter, L. James, M. Elleray, T. Mcilveen, B. Brymer, G. Moodie. Yeronga South Brisbane: E. Bliss, N. Thomas, K. Howarth, M. Walsh, H. McDonald, K. Dudley.
Coolangatta Tweed have moved with a win of the top two with a resounding 58-point win over Yeronga South Brisbane at Leyshon Park in Round 11 as the Bluebirds chalked up win number five of the year.
The Bluebirds now trail Coorparoo by just four points but better the Kings in the percentage column. With a matchup against Bond University looming next round, Coolangatta have the opportunity to return to second spot for the first time since Round 6.
Lauren James was the star down forward for Coolangatta, booting five goals – her equal career high tally first set in Round 8, 2016. James wreaked havoc inside 50, creating countless opportunities for herself and teammates in the Bluebirds’ highest score since Round 3.
In total, six Bluebirds found their way onto the scoresheet, including Grace Moodie and Alexandra Hamlyn who both finished with two majors.
Yeronga’s defence was continually under fire in the contest as the side couldn’t repent the barrage of Coolangatta forward 50 entries.
QWAFL One to Watch Emma Bliss was superb in defence for the Devils and has now been named in her side’s best seven times from her eight games, however even she could withstand the Bluebirds.
Early indications in the game suggested an even contest may transpire as both sides kicked two goals in the opening term.
But those pair of majors would be Yeronga’s only for the match as the side managed just eight behinds in the following three stanzas.
The tale of the tape was far different for Coolangatta, who kicked ten goals from thereon to keep their top two aspirations intact.
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND v. WILSTON GRANGE
Wilston Grange 1.5, 4.8, 4.9, 8.13 (61)
University of Queensland 3.0, 3.0, 4.2, 4.2 (26)
GOALS, Wilston Grange: S. Wheeler 1, I. Collings 1, S. Peeters 1, C. Daniec 1, B. Gibson 1, E. Gerke 1, B. Randall 1, M. Campbell 1. University of Queensland: R. Vetter 2, C. McCormick 1, D. Davidson 1.
BEST, Wilston Grange: C. Daniec, C. Svarc, B. Gibson, A. Kelly, S. Peeters, T. Moke. University of Queensland: G. Brennan, A. McNabb, C. McCormick, M. Moloney, S. Belton, D. Davidson.
Another week, another win for Wilston Grange in the 2018 Bond University QWAFL as the Gorillas extended their continual winning streak against an undermanned UQ side.
The Gorillas’ streak has now reached eight games and has entered near-uncharted territory as the QWAFL’s fourth ever biggest winning run.
As has been the case for most of their 2018 campaign, Wilston Grange combined potent attack with stout defence to produce a wholesome team performance.
Surprisingly however, the Gorillas’ eight goals were all scored by individual goal scorers in the runaway 35-point win.
The Red Lions transversely, were held scoreless for an entire half across the second and fourth quarters.
They managed to get the first start in the contest however, booting three opening quarter goals to just the Gorillas’ one to lead by seven points at the first break.
From thereon, in much the same ilk as other contested across Round 11, the following three quarters were dominated by Wilston Grange whose stronghold on first position now boasts a three-game buffer.
University of Queensland were without a number of their senior players for the contest but their vigour in the opening term with a less experienced team suggests they have what it takes to mix it with the best teams.
As many as eleven players from their Round 10 win were missing in the showdown with the Gorillas through representative honours.
The Red Lions, for now, remain in fifth spot on the ladder, placing the side behind the eight ball for the run home.
Time is running out for UQ however, and while they can bank on their senior players returning over the coming weeks, the Red Lions must adapt to life in their current state if they are any chance of bridging the gap with fourth placed Bond University.
COORPAROO v. MAROOCHYDORE
Coorparoo 4.1, 5.3, 5.5, 8.8 (56)
Maroochydore 0.1, 1.3, 2.4, 3.5 (23)
GOALS, Coorparoo: C. Davis 2, C. Huth 2, M. Protheroe 1, N. Iduteyiteka 1, A. Perry 1. Maroochydore: R. Crack 1, J. Cottrell 1, J. Saunders 1.
BEST, Coorparoo: C. Huth, A. Perry, P. Thompson, N. Iduteyiteka , M. Forbes, J. Ellenger. Maroochydore: J. Cottrell, L. Stewart, T. Dale, A. Hales, R. Crack, T. Gesch.
A blistering opening term by Coorparoo was the catalyst for the side’s second straight win in the competition as the side cemented the buffer between themselves and Coolangatta in the league standings.
The win not only keeps the Kings in the hunt for first place should Wilston Grange slip in the second half of the season, but also ensured Coolangatta remained an arm’s reach away after the Bluebirds also tasted victory in Round 11.
The catalyst for Coorparoo’s victory came via a dominant opening term from the home side, who booted five goals before the main break.
As Coorparoo found themselves without QWAFL leading goal kicker Jenae Govan lined up for Gold Coast and fellow goal sneak Jess Wuetschner for Brisbane in their Winter Series game with Greater Western Sydney, the Kings had to find alternate avenues to goal in the game.
Against the Roos, and without their two offensive weapons, the Kings looked to veteran defender Cleo Davis to ply her trade inside fifty – the decision paying immediate dividends as Davis kicked two goals.
Always a defender, Davis’ two goals were her first in QWAFL competition since 2015 and first multiple-goal game since mid-2014.
Davis combined with Caitlyn Huth who produced a best on ground performance in which she also booted two goals.
Maroochydore, despite the loss, continue to show consistent signs of improvement in each contest.
In Round 11, Maroochydore outscored the Kings in both the second and third quarter, even keeping the home side goalless in the third term.
Coorparoo face an intriguing battle with University of Queensland in Round 12, whilst Maroochydore hosts the undefeated Wilston Grange.
