The Anzac Day match between Yeronga-South Brisbane and Maroochydore gives both sides a chance to kickstart their Bond University QAFLW seasons into gear.
The Devils and Roos have both dealt with significant changes to their playing lists over the offseason which left them vulnerable against a rampaging Southport. The good news is that those matches are out of the way and the draw can only get kinder.
Yeronga has had to make eight changes from the side that lost to University of Queensland a fortnight ago.
Six of the inclusions will make their state league debuts, among them ruck Jess Birch who played for Ipswich Eagles in 2024, and Kensa Hoadley who starred for the Devils’ Reserves in 2024 winning the players’ player of the year award.
Goldie Poultney and Charlie Hellier were late withdrawals from the match against UQ having been two of Yeronga’s better players in the opening round loss to Southport. Both return to face Maroochydore.
The Roos have begun their season with losses to Coorparoo and Southport but have made minimal changes to their side and had their moments in both matches.
Ruck Jaspar Jordan and defenders Poppy Tindal and Hayley Edgar will all return to the side. In terms of state league matches, Edgar will be the most experienced player on the field with 26 appearances to date.
Maroochydore’s defence, despite the heavy losses, has shown encouraging signs this year.
Fullback Danielle Fenwick last played in the Bond University QAFLW with Wilston Grange in 2022 as a talented teenager.
She has returned this year as a confident defensive organiser who made sure that the Sharks earned their goals two weeks ago.
Vice-captain Axel Oswald has been her usual classy self when rebounding from halfback, and both Tindal and Billie Missen have impressed in their brief senior careers so far.
With wet conditions expected, the ability of Yeronga to move the ball wide will be tested.
The Devils’ best moments in 2025 have come when they’ve been able to get young talent like Melody McHugh and Lily Clutton into some space. If they can do that against both the Roos and the elements, we’ll see a side of the Devils we haven’t yet seen this year.
Conversely, Roos Roxy Beuzeville and Abbey Rankin might be licking their lips at the prospect of a muddy match that becomes an inside midfield battle. Both got their hands on the ball regularly against Southport while also ensuring they exceeded their tackle quota.
Appropriately for an Anzac Day clash, the Roos will field four members of the 2024 New Zealand women’s team with Oswald joined by Demi Salton, Buell Verkade and Liv Waldron, each of whom debuted this year.
The last time they played against Yeronga’s Thyra Tavil was in the AFL Pacific Cup in Maroochydore last November when the NZ Kahu had a narrow three-point victory over Tavil’s Papua New Guinea Flames.
Elsewhere in Round 3, Coorparoo hosts its Anzac Day clash with Bond University for the first time, Moreton Bay and Aspley will hope that home advantage helps them to their first wins this year against University of Queensland and Southport respectively, while Morningside looks to maintain its perfect start to its Bond University QAFLW era against Wilston Grange.
YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE v MAROOCHYDORE
Friday 25 April 2025, 1pm at Leyshon Park, Yeronga
Live stream with commentary on YouTube
Head-to-head: Played 16 - Maroochydore won 9, Yeronga won 6, drawn 1
Head-to-head at Leyshon Park: Played 6 - Maroochydore won 3, Yeronga won 2, drawn 1
Last time they met: 29 Jun 2024 - Maroochydore 10.7 (67) d Yeronga 2.4 (16) at Leyshon Park.
COORPAROO v BOND UNIVERSITY
Friday 25 April 2025, 3:30pm at Giffin Park, Coorparoo
Live stream on YouTube
Head-to-head: Played 16 - Bond University won 11, Coorparoo won 5
Head-to-head at Giffin Park: Played 7 - Bond University won 5, Coorparoo won 2
Last time they met: 10 Aug 2024 (Elimination Final) - Bond University 10.8 (68) d Coorparoo 2.3 (15) at Bond University Oval.
MORETON BAY v UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Saturday 26 April 2025, 3:45pm at Red Rooster Park, Burpengary
Live stream on YouTube
Head-to-head: first meeting.
ASPLEY v SOUTHPORT
Saturday 26 April 2025, 4:45pm at Automall Aspley Oval, Carseldine
Live stream with commentary on YouTube
Head-to-head: Played 8 - Southport won 5, Aspley won 2, abandoned 1
Head-to-head at Automall Aspley Oval: Played 3 - Aspley won 1, Southport won 1, abandoned 1
Last time they met: 10 Aug 2024 (Qualifying Final) - Southport 7.5 (47) d Aspley 4.1 (25) at Fankhauser Reserve.
MORNINGSIDE v WILSTON GRANGE
Saturday 26 April 2025, 4:45pm at Jack Esplen Oval, Hawthorne
Live stream on YouTube
Head-to-head: first meeting.
You can watch all matches in the Bond University QAFLW by visiting the Official AFLQ YouTube channel.
Photo credit: Yeronga South Brisbane Football Club