QAFLW grand final preview 2024: Southport vs Bond University
Read the biggest threats Southport and Bond University will each face, the key match-ups, the final message each coach will deliver to their troops and more in our QAFLW grand final preview.400-1: Leading QAFL stars ranked for the 2024 season
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It all comes down to this.
Southport are one game away for exorcising the demons of last year’s straight sets finals exit in emphatic fashion, while Bond University are on the cusp of storied back-to-back premierships.
Only one team can come out on top in Sunday’s QAFLW grand final.
Discover our full preview of the crunch clash between Gold Coast arch rivals below.
Form
Southport
Last five: W, W, W, W, W
The Sharks clinched a grand final berth off the back of an emphatic 22-point win over Aspley and have been the form team of the QAFLW season after securing the minor premiership.
The Sharks have dropped just two games all season and despite sharing the points on top with Aspley they had a far superior percentage of 367.22.
Coach Peter Doherty was thrilled with the qualifying final win over Aspley that thrust his side into the final match of the season.
“It was a great win, we started well, put a lot of scoreboard pressure on and that’s all you can ask for in that first piece,” Doherty said.
“In fairness, Aspley stuck to their task and wore us down a little bit. We played well early, got a score on the board, so it gives us that preparation for Sunday.”
Bond University
Last five: W, W, W, W, W
After a slow start to the season the Bull Sharks have hit their straps late and come into the decider in red-hot form having won back-to-back knockout finals - which can be a blessing or a curse.
“We were a bit nervous going into (last week’s) prelim final against Aspley at Aspley,” said Bond coach Andy Lovell.
“But the girls were outstanding so to earn a spot into the grand final is really pleasing.
“We’ve faced more challenges this year around injury to key players and unavailability issues, but the girls have been extraordinary the way they’ve bonded together really well.”
Key match-ups
The tantalising ruck battle between a pair of top QAFLW talents, and highly touted draft prospects, in Southport’s Georja Davies and Bond’s Havana Harris is set to excite.
“Georja Davies in the ruck for us and I assume Havana Harris in the ruck for them, two exciting, talented players,” Doherty said.
“It’d be worth playing the eight or nine dollars or whatever it is just to watch the two great stars in the making, they’re really exciting.”
Lovell echoed a similar sentiment.
“That’s gonna be critical, they’re both outstanding players, Georja Davies has been outstanding for them either in the ruck of forward, so that’ll be really interesting,” he said.
Doherty also predicted that each side’s defence would be crucial.
“Both forward lines pose a lot of threat and Bond seem to have restructured their forward line a bit, they’re certainly getting score, so the defences are going to have their work cut out for them.
Southport will also need to find a way to limit Bond’s Leah Kasker, while Bond will be putting significant work into ensuring Southport forward Dekota Baron has a quiet day.
In the middle of the ground, former AFLW talent Arianna Clarke could be pitted against cross-code supremo Steph O’Brien - who just weeks ago won the Sapphire Series netball premiership with Ipswich - in what would be a must-watch match-up.
“Trying to find someone to match up on (Steph O’Brien’s) always a challenge,” said Lovell.
“Our midfield’s been our strength this year, of recent weeks Arianna Clarke’s played inside mid, she’s big and strong and really experienced. I’d love to see those two go head-to-head on the big stage, I think that’d inspire the fans.”
Biggest threats
Southport
If Bond is to be successful, Lovell believes the key is being wary of Southport’s physicality.
“If you watch that semifinal win against Aspley they kicked four or five goals to none in the first quarter, they were just so physical,” he said.
“Everyone comments that that’s their biggest asset but I feel like this year they’ve got more speed and outside run as well, they play a really good brand of footy.”
Bond University
For Southport, Doherty believes his side must keep the footy in its hand and nullify Bond’s possession as much as possible.
“They’re clearly a well coached team, they’ve got a lot of x-factor,” Doherty said.
“They’re well drilled and have really exciting players; Nyalli Milne, Havana Harris, Arianna Clarke and the list goes on.
“They’ve got really strong x-factor players that you’re always wary of and they chain well, they use the ball well and if they can get the ball in hand they control the game.”
The final message
It’s gameday, now step inside the changerooms at People First Stadium, and listen to what the coaches are telling their players before they run out with their seasons on the line:
Southport
“We’re hungry, we’ve prepared well, just go out and execute and their best will serve them really well,” said Doherty.
Bond University
“I’ve experienced grand finals as a player and as a coach now, the big learning that I’ve taken out of it is that you don’t want to avoid racing the experience, just take time to relax and enjoy the whole moment, that’s what I’ve been telling our girls,” said Lovell.
“We’ve done the work and we should be really confident that we’re prepared as best as we can be.
“When you do that it allows you to just enjoy the experience and live in the moment.”
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