The Southport Sharks hosted Aspley and Bond University at Fankhauser Reserve for the first week of the QAFLW finals series.
Seniors
Southport is into the Grand Final after defeating Aspley by 22 points in the QAFLW Seniors’ Qualifying Final, winning 7.5 (47) to 4.1 (25).
The Sharks got off to a great start kicking five goals to zero in the first quarter to lead by 32 points at quarter time. From there, the Hornets were playing catch up.
The second and third quarters were much more even, with the Sharks only extending their quarter-time lead by seven points going into the last quarter.
In the final term, the Hornets threw caution to the wind and kicked four goals to zero, but it was too little too late.
Young guns Alannah Welsh (4 goals) and Georja Davies were exceptional.
Kaylee Kimber, Emma Suckling, Abbie Pluples, Maddy Watt and Steph O’Brien also played well.
After the match Southport Coach Peter Doherty said, “It is a terrific achievement to reach the Grand Final. I’m so proud of all the players, coaches and staff, it has taken a tremendous amount of hard work and effort to get here.”
“We will enjoy this result, but our attention will quickly move to preparing the best we can to hopefully win our first QAFLW Premiership for the club.”
Southport will play the winner of the Aspley v Bond University preliminary final that will take place this Saturday, in the Grand Final, which will be played at People First Stadium on Sunday 25 August.
Southport v Aspley – Saturday 10 August, Fankhauser Reserve, 2pm
SOUTHPORT 5.2 6.3 7.4 7.5 (47)
ASPLEY 0.0 1.1 1.1 4.1 (25)
GOALS: Alannah Welsh 4, Maddy Baldwin, Tayla Gregory, Steph O’Brien
BEST PLAYERS: Alannah Welsh, Kaylee Kimber, Georja Davies, Emma Suckling, Abbie Pluples, Steph O’Brien, Maddy Watt
Reserves
Southport’s Reserves are also into the Grand Final after defeating Bond University by one point in the QAFLW Reserves’ Qualifying Final, winning 4.3 (27) to 4.2 (26).
Bond University started well, scoring two goals to zero in the opening term.
The Sharks responded in the second quarter, kicking three goals to zero to lead by five points at halftime.
Southport also led by five points at three quarter time as both teams kicked a major in the third term.
With a spot in the Grand Final on the line, the last quarter was extremely tense.
Bond University kicked the only goal of the quarter, but it wasn’t enough as the Sharks scored two behinds to win by the slimmest of margins.
After the game Southport Coach Mal Smith said, “Wow! What an intense game of football. That is what finals footy is about.”
“Credit to Bond University, they jumped us in the first quarter, and we had to work extremely hard to get back in the contest.”
“Then, when we did get on top of the game in the second quarter, they never gave up and at stages in the last quarter looked like they might have won the game.”
“I’m so proud of our girls though. They have worked so hard for this, and they deserve to be playing off in the Grand Final.”
Southport will play either Bond University or Aspley in the Grand Final depending on who wins the preliminary final this Saturday. The Grand Final will take place at People First Stadium on Sunday, 25 August.
Southport v Bond University – Saturday 10 August, Fankhauser Reserve, 12pm
SOUTHPORT 0.0 3.1 4.1 4.3 (27)
BOND UNIVERSITY 2.1 2.2 3.2 4.2 (26)
GOALS: Sunny Lappin 2, Alicia Gordon, Shayla Lloyd
BEST PLAYERS: Serina Balanda, Leigh Alder, Maddie Gault, Rhianna Ingram, Alessia Smythe, Lillian Behan
Photo Credit: Highflyer Images