Maroochydore Roos ready to fight for spot in QAFLW grand final

Team cohesion has helped the Roos bounce back from a rough start to the year and propelled them to within reach of a shot at the title.

Roos captain Rachel Crack is ready to help her side fight for a spot in the QAFLW grand final.

After overcoming a rough start to the season the Roos now stand within reach of a maiden berth into the state’s premier decider and they’re primed for the fight.

The Maroochydore women will hit the field in enemy territory on Saturday to take on competition heavyweight Bond University in the QAFLW preliminary final.

The winner will progress into next week’s grand final against University of Queensland.

The Roos have finished third every year since finishing last in 2018 but failed to gain any traction in the opening week of finals.

However, a big win over Coorparoo last week now has put them back in contention.

“Everyone is really excited,” captain Rachel Crack said.

“We started off the season losing the first three games so I thought we were in for a long season.

But she said the team then starting playing well together.

“The girls are a really good bunch and great team so I’m excited to go out there with them and do what we can do,” she said.

The Roos haven’t defeated Bond in their two clashes this season, but Crack was confident they had the skill and plan to get the job done.

“Bond have a couple players that we have to shut down pretty quick,” she said.

“It’s going to be a wet game so we want to apply heaps of pressure and be first to the ball, make metres and keep it forward.

“We’ll have to be quick with the ball too and not have too much handballing because it’s going to be pretty wet.”

The return of key figures Makeisha Muller and Brianna Mcfarlane from concussion is set to provide a major boost too.

Makeisha Muller, 19, left the North Melbourne VFL team to play for Maroochydore in the QWFL this year. Picture: Grace Murphy

“She (Mcfarlane) is really handy and she kicked four goals in one quarter (recently) so it’s good to have her back again,” Crack said.

“She’s (Muller) really good too and she is one of the fastest girls in the competition.”

They will also have the services of AFLW talents Shannon Campbell and Belle Dawes.

Crack said the Roos women had won a second tier competition in the past but had never set foot in the decider of the QAFLW.

She said there was more than silverware on the line for the Roos if they were to progress into the grand final.

“I think it would be really good for the club and good for the Coast to really put it out there that us girls up here can put it to the Brisbane girls,” she said.

“We’re the only Coast team in the (QAFLW) so it would be good to promote it (sport) up here.

“Hopefully, we go all the way so girls see there is an avenue up here if they want to pursue an AFLW career as well.

“Lots move to Brissy to get drafted but (they don’t have to).”

The Roos take on Bond University at 1pm on Saturday at Robina.