QAFLW: Coolangatta have secured a QAFLW preliminary final after defeating Aspley 45-10

Coolangatta QAFLW coach Nicole Graves hadn’t even climbed into the coaches’ box on Saturday when she saw Aspley had already scored their first goal of the day just 30 seconds into their Round 12 clash. READ THE FULL INTERVIEW.

COOLANGATTA QAFLW coach Nicole Graves hadn’t even climbed into the coaches’ box on Saturday when she saw Aspley had already scored their first goal of the day just 30 seconds into their Round 12 clash.

Coolangatta had opted to rest several of their experienced AFLW listed players, including the likes of Leah Kaslar, Paige Parker, Kate Surman and Sally Riley, for their final match of the home and away season.

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Coolangatta had already secured a home preliminary final but one last win against the bottom-placed Aspley remained an important box to tick to take momentum into finals.

Despite the early scare, the QAFLW premiership contenders rallied to record a 45-10 win at Beenleigh after the match was relocated from Brisbane to allow Bluebirds players within the border travel bubble to play.

“We knew we didn’t have to flog them, it was just about getting a win,” Graves said.

“We certainly weren’t going out there to shame the bottom team, we wanted to have one last good hit out and respect the fact it was their last game for the season.

“I wasn’t even in the coaches box when they scored their first goal and we gave away a 50m penalty so that didn’t go to plan but Aspley have got some ripping players.”

The Coolangatta Bluebirds huddle during a match. Pic: Jessy Hart

Coolangatta has now won four out of their last five games, their only blemish coming against Coorparoo, and guaranteed a return to finals for the first time since 2018.

“With COVID and players making decisions on where to play their footy based on family, we’ve fielded a different side each week and getting senior game time into several players but our belief is strong,” Graves said.

The Bluebirds are hoping their development side will defeat Bond University in week one of finals and join the senior side in the preliminary finals after they beat Aspley 121-6.

Bond University also finished their QAFLW season on a high with a 53-29 win over Coorparoo to seal the minor premiership.

EARLIER: Single and ready to mingle with AFLW elite

A NEW Zealander excelling at Australian rules football?

It’s unusual but Bond University rising star Lucy Single could become the latest Kiwi to break the mould.

Growing up in New Zealand, Single had never heard of AFL, let alone played it.

Instead, she spent her childhood perfecting the art of karate, where she achieved a yellow belt, and rugby.

“I think the karate helps with my kicking and power behind the footy,” Single said.

“There weren’t many opportunities in our town to go further with sport so we moved to Australia seven years ago.”

Single enrolled at Miami State High School and first picked up a footy when her school entered their inaugural side in the AFL Queensland Schools Cup in 2016.

August 16, Gold Coast, Queensland - Lucy Single from Bond University in action against Wilston Grange in the Queensland AFLW played at Bond University on the Gold Coast. Scott Powick Newscorp

Miami won the entire competition and established a legacy with Single at the helm as captain.

“My friends and I thought it would be funny to try a new sport but I fell in love with it and have played ever since,” Single said.

“Some rules still stump me and it’s such a fast-moving game but most ball sports have similar concepts.”

From Miami, Single started playing for the Burleigh Bombers then Bond University onlookers asked her to start training with their QAFLW side.

In her first season, the 17-year-old emerged as a star onballer who could not only match but outplay some of the AFLW stars floating within the QAFLW ranks.

August 16, Gold Coast, Queensland - Lucy Single from Bond University in action against Wilston Grange in the Queensland AFLW played at Bond University on the Gold Coast. Scott Powick Newscorp

Single has just been named as one of 13 Queensland prospects to test at the upcoming AFLW Draft Combine in a sign her dream of joining the Suns or Brisbane Lions is creeping closer.

“I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if it came true,” she said. “Training with some of the girls at Bond has pushed me to go to that higher level and I’m very lucky to call them teammates.”

On Saturday, Bond faces one more home and away test against Coorparoo, which defeated the Bull Sharks in the 2019 QAFLW grand final, before Bond hosts a preliminary final on September 19.

“We learned a lot from the grand final and we’ve been working hard since not only to beat them but to win the grand final,” Single said.

Bond has been buoyed by AFL Queensland’s ann­ounce­ment that it would earn hosting rights to the 2020 QAFLW grand final should Coolangatta also qualify due to border bubble restrictions.

Second-placed Coolangatta is away to Aspley in the final round on Saturday.