The Bulletin looks at five things we learned from a big weekend of Gold Coast Aussie rules
The Suns very nearly took down North Melbourne at Arden Street, Bond University dominated their QFA Division 2 South pre-season clash against Burleigh and Coolangatta won a nail biter against Bond in Round 1 of the QAFLW. It was another huge weekend of Gold Coast Aussie rules. Here are five things we learned.
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The Suns very nearly took down North Melbourne at Arden Street, Bond University dominated their QFA Division 2 South pre-season clash against Burleigh and Coolangatta won a nail biter against Bond in Round 1 of the QAFLW. It was another huge weekend of Gold Coast Aussie rules. Here are five things we learned.
1. Brilliant Bella
Lauren Bella has been threatening to stand up on the AFLW stage and on Saturday, the 19-year-old was clearly the best ruck on the ground. A multiple Under 18 All Australian, Bella finally showed shades of the form which had recruiters labelling her one of the best young talls in the country. Bella had a game high 21 hit outs coming up against the North tandem act of Vivien Saad and Emma King but equally impressive were her second and third efforts. Also picked up 10 disposals and three marks.
2. Suns battling St Kilda for crown of best 2020 expansion side
It’s only just gone March, but the Suns are clearly one of the good news stories of 2020. While many wrote the Coast side off before the season had even begun, the Suns have well and truly banished any remaining doubters with their gutsy effort against North Melbourne. Only four points separated the supposed ‘cellar dwellers’ and ‘AFLW premiership favourite’ early in the fourth quarter but the Suns unfortunately couldn’t quite finish off their good work and fell by 13. This side continues to capture hearts each week and heck, we’re calling it, the Suns will be 2020s best expansion side, if not, one of the AFLW’s best sides.
‘WE’RE NOT HERE TO MAKE UP NUMBERS’
3. Bond will again be a force in revised QFA Division 2 comp
Currently the reigning premiers, and we’re backing Bond University to feature prominently again at the back end of 2020. 12 sides will contest the revised QFA Division 2 South league in 2020, meaning Bond will be vying against three more sides than last year, but the league has also lost Beenleigh who were 2019’s second best side and played Bond in the decider. With a largely retained list and the likes of scholarship holder Rhys King threatening early, it’s hard to see Bond not making finals this year.
‘HE IS A FREAK WHO HAS GONE TO ANOTHER LEVEL’
4. Bull Sharks never give up
Trailing by 16 points at the last change, Bond University quickly proved why they were one of 2019’s QAFLW powerhouses. Needing three majors to win, Bond did all the attacking in the last and secured a one-point lead with just under two minutes to go in the last. It was very nearly the perfect comeback after Coolangatta had lead all day, Bond trio Wallis Randell, Arianna Clarke and Maddison Levi all starring but what they didn’t factor in was the Bluebirds thirst for a win…
BOND CRYSTAL BALL: OUR PREDICTIONS FOR 2020
5. Coolangatta also never give up
As coach Nicole Graves put it…”It’s the sort of script you couldn’t write even if you tried.” Down by one with 40 seconds to go, best mate of late Bluebird stalwart Nicole Stevenson, Lauren James, slotted the winner. It will go down in history as one of the greatest finishes to a Coast footy match and you can’t help but picture Stevenson smiling down from up above. Bring on the next QAFLW Coast clash.
‘YOU COULDN’T WRITE THAT SCRIPT’
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