The Southport Sharks hosted the Bond University Bull Sharks at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday Afternoon for the first week of QAFLW Finals.
Seniors
Bond University is through to the 2023 QAFLW Grand Final after defeating Southport by 22 points in the Qualifying Final.
Southport’s 4.5 (29) to 7.9 (51) loss means they will host Aspley in a preliminary final this weekend to attempt to play Bond in the Grand Final.
Bond University had the breeze in the first quarter and kicked the only two goals of the first quarter to lead by 11 points at quarter time.
Southport’s intensity lifted early in the second quarter, and they kicked a goal straight away through Tayla Gregory.
The Sharks had a couple more chances in front of goal, but they couldn’t capitalise before Bond went down the other end and kicked a goal.
A couple of minutes later, Tayla Gregory kicked her second goal before the Bull Sharks kicked two goals late in the quarter to extend the lead to 20 points at the main break.
The Bull Sharks extended their lead to 24 points at three quarter time, with neither team able to score a goal in the third quarter.
It was going to take an almighty effort from the Sharks to come back from there, but they gave it a go.
Steph O’Brien kicked two goals early in the fourth quarter to cut the margin to 9 points.
Unfortunately for the Sharks, that is where the comeback ended as the Bull Sharks steadied and kicked two goals to close the game out.
After the game, Southport Coach Peter Doherty said, “The loss hurts, but we get another chance this weekend to make the Grand Final, which is exciting.”
“We will review, recover and reset ahead of a big game against Aspley. The Hornets are a quality outfit, so we know it will be a challenge but we are looking forward to it.”
The Preliminary Final against Aspley will take place on Saturday, the 19th of August at Fankhauser Reserve at 2pm.
SOUTHPORT SHARKS 0.1 2.2 2.2 4.5 (29)
BOND UNIVERSITY BULL SHARKS 2.0 5.4 5.8 7.9 (51)
Goal Kickers: Tayla Gregory 2, Steph O’Brien 2
Best Players: Stephanie O’Brien, Carly Remmos, Tayla Gregory, Madeleine Watt, Kristi Harvey, Alessia Smythe
Click here for QAFLW Seniors’ fixtures, results and ladders
Click here for Southport’s Football Home Page
Reserves
The Southport Sharks have been knocked out of the 2023 QAFLW Reserves Finals Series after losing to Bond University by 46 points in the Elimination Final.
The Bull Sharks were comprehensive winners, winning 7.7 (49) to 0.3 (3).
In the first quarter, Bond University had a lot of ball inside their forward 50, and Southport did a great job of minimising their impact on the scoreboard by only conceding two points.
Bond was able to kick their first goal of the game in the second quarter to extend the margin to 8 points at half time.
The Bull Sharks blew the game open in the third quarter kicking three goals to zero, and they did the same in the last quarter.
After the game, Southport Coach Mal Smith said, “It was a disappointing end to the year, but I am proud of the year we have had.”
“We have had a lot of challenges this year, but the girls have continued to give the best, and as a coach, that’s all you can ask.”
BOND UNIVERSITY BULL SHARKS 0.2 1.2 4.4 7.7 (49)
SOUTHPORT SHARKS 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 (3)
Best Players: Emma Clifton, Casey Wynne, Lillian Behan, Serina Balanda, Jessica Malouf, Matisse Hunter