The Southport Sharks took on UQ in Round 4 of the QAFLW at Fankhauser Reserve on Saturday Afternoon.
Seniors
Southport defeated UQ by eight points, winning 3.5 (23) to 2.3 (15).
Tayla Gregory kicked the first goal of the game for the Sharks, to lead by six points.
Abbie Pluples kicked the Shark’s next goal three minutes later to extend the margin to twelve points before UQ kicked their first goal of the game.
Southport led by five points at quarter time and they looked like they might break the shackles of the game open early in the second term when Peyton Mackie kicked a nice snap goal.
However, it wasn’t to be, as the visitors stuck with the home side, kicking a goal midway through the second quarter to trail by only four points at halftime.
The second half was a nail-biter. Neither team’s offence could get past the quality defence from both teams.
Both teams were scoreless in the third quarter, and in an extremely tense last quarter, Southport kicked four behinds to UQ’s zero.
There were opportunities for both UQ and Southport to kick a goal and win the game in the last quarter, but in the end, the defences from both teams held firm.
After the game, Southport Coach Peter Doherty said, “It was a tough slog, from start to finish, but I’m proud of the girls for never giving up and competing right to the end.”
“When the game is in the balance like it was today, you just have to find a way to win, and I thought today we did that, which is pleasing.”
Kierra Zerrafa was everywhere on Saturday. She had 20 contested possessions, 33 disposals, eight inside 50s and five tackles.
Maighan Fogas (26 disposals), Peyton Mackie (23 disposals) and Abbie Pluples (18 disposals) were also busy.
As was the theme of the day, Selina Priest was the general down back for the Sharks with eight intercept marks and 23 disposals.
Avalon Pearce was also named in Southport’s best player for her 19 hit outs in the rucks.
Southport plays at home again this week against Maroochydore at 2:00pm on Saturday.
Southport v University of Queensland – Saturday 4 May, Fankhauser Reserve, 3:00pm
SOUTHPORT 2.1 3.1 3.1 3.5 (23)
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND 1.2 2.3 2.3 2.3 (15)
GOALS: Tayla Gregory, Peyton Mackie, Abbie Pluples
BEST PLAYERS: Kierra Zerafa, Abbie Pluples, Peyton Mackie, Selina Priest, Maighan Fogas, Avalon Pearce
Click here for the 2024 QAFLW Seniors Fixture, Results and Ladder
Reserves
Southport had a big 70 point win on Saturday Evening, defeating UQ 11.5 (71) to 0.1 (1).
The Sharks were on from the start kicking three goals in the opening term.
That momentum continued in the second quarter kicking a further three goals to lead by 40 points at half time.
The Sharks showed no sign of slowing down; in fact, in the third quarter, they added another four goals.
The last quarter was a lot more even, with the Sharks only kicking one goal.
Maddy Baldwin (five goals), Eloise O’Brien and Jess Maher starred in the win.
After the match, Southport Coach Mal Smith said, “We have had a solid start to the year, and it comes back to the fact that everyone is playing their role.”
“Today was no different, with players from all areas of the ground contributing to what was a great team win.”
This week, Southport play Maroochydore on Saturday at 12pm at Fankhauser Reserve.
Southport v University of Queensland – Saturday 4 May, Fankhauser Reserve, 5:00pm
SOUTHPORT 3.3 6.4 10.4 11.5 (71)
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 (1)
GOALS: Maddy Baldwin 5, Emma Clifton 2, Jordan Donelly, Jess Maher, Taylah Power, Ella Punter
BEST PLAYERS: Eloise O’Brien, Maddy Baldwin, Jess Maher, Jordan Donnelly, Ra Bloomfield, Shyla Rau
Click here for the 2024 QAFLW Reserves Fixture, Results and Ladder
Photo Credit: Highflyer Images