QAFLW reserves 2024: Players to watch as Bond University take on Southport
Just one point split these sides a fortnight ago, so which players are set to stand tall with a QAFLW reserves premiership on the line. Find out here.
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The QAFLW reserves grand final is upon us with Southport and Bond University set to do battle at People First Stadium from 12pm on Sunday.
Bond had the wood over Southport earlier in the year, but since then the Sharks have won the past two clashes between the pair — albeit both triumphs have been single figure margins.
If the qualifying final from a fortnight ago is anything to go by, this match could be a cracker given that game was decided by just one point.
Discover the players that will shape the clash below.
Southport
Leigh Alder
Alder is an experienced head who has mainly played senior footy over the past couple of years. She’s been in the reserves for the past five weeks as she returns from injury and her experience and class in the backline will be pivotal.
Chaise Montey
Montey is a great under-18 talent who intercept marks well off half back. She’s close to six-foot tall, strong in the contest, and can produce in the big moments. Just take her pivotal chase down tackle to save a goal in the qualifying final.
Rhianna Ingram and Mikayla Nurse
The pair of wingers are both exciting and young Suns academy talents. Their attack at the footy, positioning, IQ and skillset are all really exciting traits.
Sunny Lappin
Lappin is an exciting talent in the forward line and one we could well see in the AFLW in years to come. She’s one of the best kicks in southeast Queensland women’s footy and can spear a pinpoint 40-metre pass. She knows where the goals are and has a great IQ. There was an instant late in the qualifying final where she drifted into the backline and picked the ball up at a crucial moment. She was everywhere in that one-point as she also kicked two of the Sharks’ four goals.
Jess Maher
The former Bond player had been a regular in senior footy off the half back flank, but has shifted into the middle in the reserves this year and excelled. She has run and dash, and is a composed and classy left foot who bits targets.
Alessia Smythe
Smythe knows a thing or two about a big grand final showing against Bond, given that in the corresponding clash in 2022 she was best-on-ground in Southport’s premiership win. An experienced head and tall player she’s great overhead.
Bond University
Tobi Chapman
The key Defender is a strong and tall defender who can expose key forwards with her overhead marking and run and carry.
Andria Heard
Heard is hitting her straps in the back-end of the year after being thrown into the ruck role late in the season. Having usually played as a tall defender, she has proven she also has the skill to give Bond first touch around the contest. Her athleticism means that she’s able to play as an extra midfielder and has proven the difference in our last few matches.
Grace Ella
The hybrid defender is ruthless in defence and provides an impressive ability to read the play and is a brilliant intercept mark. She is quick to rebound and won’t be beaten to a loose ball.
Aleah Stringer
Stringer is an elusive high forward who possesses speed, agility and footy IQ far beyond her years.
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Originally published as QAFLW reserves 2024: Players to watch as Bond University take on Southport
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