The X-Factors who can change the game for QAFLW clubs Bond and Coolangatta and QFAW Division One clubs Southport, Burleigh, Robina, Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise
REVEALED: Your football team’s x-factors. Discover the players who can turn the tide on performances and determine the outcome of the biggest games. From Bond and Coolangatta to Burleigh, Broadbeach, Robina, Surfers Paradise and Southport. SUBSCRIBE TO READ THE WHOLE SERIES
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THE 2020 footy season is in full swing and the reduced amount of games means every contest is critical.
The Coolangatta Bluebirds and Bond University Bull Sharks both look finals found in the QAFLW while Southport, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach, Robina and Burleigh have all chalked up wins in the QFAW Division One competition.
With only a handful of games left until finals and teams needing an extra edge over their opponents now more than ever, we reveal the players from each Gold Coast women’s footy team who could flip the script midgame.
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BOND UNIVERSITY
Kalinda Howarth: She’s only played one game for the Bull Sharks so far but Howarth screams X-Factor. The forward boasts elite skills and presence and can easily turn a game on its head, as she did within a few minutes of the inaugural AFLW QClash. Finished the 2019 season as the leading goal kicker for both Bond and the QAFLW league.
Lucy Single: Single is one of the younger talents on Bond’s list but is known for ripping teams apart with her skill and agility running out of the backline.
Ellie Hampson: Another Suns AFLW talent, Hampson is known for her booming left foot kick, aggression and physicality.
COOLANGATTA BLUEBIRDS
Beth Pinchin: Once firmly on the radar of AFLW recruiters, the Bluebirds thought they’d lost Pinchin for the 2020 season after she moved to Perth with her partner. But the X-Factor comes with the fact she’s back on the Gold Coast and starring for Coolangatta once more. A key position player, Pinchin has been playing on the half back flank after overcoming a serious knee injury in 2020. During her brief appearance for Swan Districts in Perth, she even had the likes of Fremantle AFLW recruiters turning up to watch her go to work.
Keyshia Matenga: Matenga’s coach Nicole Graves strongly believes the defensive winger should be on the radar of AFLW clubs and it’s hard to disagree. The touch footy convert continues to develop in new-found surroundings and excels on the outside of the contest with her pace and skill.
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Ebony Peterson: After making her senior debut as a teenager last season, Peterson has come on in leaps and bounds as an inside midfielder. She’s attracted AFLW interest and is a member of the Suns Academy.
SOUTHPORT SHARKS
Eloise O’Brien: The Sharks co-captain has lead from the front so far in 2020. An inside midfielder, O’Brien seeps energy and inspires her teammates with her attack on the football. She leads by example and excels around stoppages.
Alessia Smythe: After crossing from the Robina Roos in the off-season, Smythe has developed into a talented ruck who can be trusted to give her midfielders first use. Smythe is athletic, covers the ground well, skilful and gains territory when in possession.
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Giselle Davies: A member of Southport’s Under-17 girls side, Davies can play across the ground but has been deployed in the backline for the senior team. Fresh off winning the league best and fairest for the Under-17 girls league last year, Davies is a part of the Suns Academy and has worked her way into the senior side to gain experience but has not looked out of place.
SURFERS PARADISE
Alana Mcnabb: Mcnabb will long be remembered for her incredible performance off half back in the 2019 QFAW Division Two south grand final which earned her best on ground honours. But in 2020, Mcnabb has shown signs of her damaging best and was scintillating in Surfers Round 1 victory over the Southport Sharks.
Jessica Watts: After winning a QAFLW development premiership with the Bond University Bull Sharks last season, Watts and her sister Melita have formed a formidable duo so far for the Demons. Watts has been a constant threat in the forward half and snagged two goals in four games.
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Katrina Pridmore: Pridmore took out the league’s goal kicking award in a premiership season with 22 majors and is already showing signs she could be one of Division One’s biggest threats. A key position forward and premiership captain, Pridmore leads the Demons with six goals so far in 2020, just one less than the rest of the team combined.
BROADBEACH CATS
Madeline Gault: Gault joins the Cats from the Northern Territory where she has suited up for the NT Thunder in the VFLW and also Waratah in the NTFL Women’s Premier League. The midfielder boasts blistering speed and game awareness. Is known for her contested ball winning ability and also won the 2017/18 TIO NTFL Women’s Premier League Williams Medallist for being best on ground in the grand final.
Karlee Quinn: Despite anchoring down the Broadbeach backline, Quinn doubles as an attacking threat. Rarely loses a one-on-one contest, attacks the ball with ferocity and is a formidable rebounder out of the defensive half.
Rebecca Goodwin: The reigning QFAW Division One best and fairest winner, the Broadbeach skippers has already shown glimpses of her damaging best again in 2020. Playing predominantly in the midfield, Goodwin is known for her strength and speed breaking away from contests.
ROBINA
Montana Williams: For a key position player, Williams boasts an elite kick and is known to take the game on. After playing full forward early, a spate of injuries has forced Williams to full back. Reads the play with ease.
Kaycee Richards: The partner of Montana Williams, the pair both joined Robina from Burleigh and are equally formidable on the field. Richards has pace to burn and unrivalled footy smarts that she uses to read the play and take the game on.
Tamsin Perry: A former Bond University Bull Shark, Perry is a workhorse in the middle for Robina. She can read the game well and always puts herself in the right positions to do damage around the ground. Does everything required from a talented midfielder and tackles hard.
BURLEIGH
Tara Park: The centre half forward can change a game instantaneously and remains one of Burleigh’s most potent attacking threats in 2020. Will do anything to get her hands on the ball and has even been spotted taking the ball out of the ruck and kicking miraculous goals.
Rachelle Goodman: Joining the Bombettes from a soccer background, a handful of Goodman’s 2020 goals have come from her kicking the ball off the ground in quick succession all the way to goal. Goodman has a tenacious attack on the ball and wins contests she shouldn’t. Plays on the forward flank.
Victoria Bachelard: Although being relatively new to football, Bachelard has speed to burn. Has played a few seasons of football here and there but has developed into one of Burleigh’s fittest and most damaging players with ball in hand.
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