A Grand Final replay, a top-of-the-table clash, and a local derby all in one - matches in the Bond University QAFLW do not get any greater than Bond University versus Southport.
Having triumphed in the first all-Gold Coast Grand Final of the women’s state league last August, Southport visits Bond University this Saturday, level on points with their crosstown rivals but well ahead on percentage and probably also on perception given the manner and magnitude of their victories.
While the Bull Sharks have won their opening three games by an average margin of eight goals, the (Great White) Sharks have demolished their opponents with ball movement and support play that may be faster than anything previously seen in Queensland women’s footy. Still, Southport knows that Bond Uni is the team most capable of forcing them into errors and turning opportunities into goals.
Neither side has had to make wholesale changes. Bond University has Queensland representative Jasmyn Davidson available again as well as former Giants Academy midfielder Chloe Smith. Southport is without Rianna Schipp for the first time since she became captain last year, but have a ready-made wing replacement in triathlete Keely Whittaker who was named Best on Ground for the Sharks’ Reserves last week. The Sharks also give debuts to Reserves Premiership winner Holly Wall and Neive Ryan of the SUNS Academy and Thuringowa Bulldogs.
Southport’s defence passed its first major test of 2025 last week against Aspley. Tearnie Brown and Leigh Alder in particular read the play accurately all night and rebounded both quickly and intelligently. The extra height of Bond Uni forwards Abbey Bevan and Kendra Blattman will give them a different test, as will the aerial prowess of Ella Calleja, should she be able to push forward, and Bella Iverach.
In the midfield, Steph O’Brien was at her ferocious best last week and benefitted greatly from Maddy Watt’s ability to win contested ball and clear it to her quickly. But none of the three sides the Sharks have faced this year have had a midfielder like Shannon Nolan.
Nolan spent her first few years at the Canal yo-yoing between seniors and reserves. Last year, she showed that she could be both creative and destructive at high speed and was named Bond’s Club Champion (Best and Fairest). Nolan’s stats in 2025 are already up on last year’s output and last week she dominated the midfield against a highly-rated Coorparoo. If Nolan, along with Georgia Johnson, Tobi Chapman and Lexi Samuels, can make a mess of the Sharks’ clearances, that will go a long way towards putting the game on the Bull Sharks’ terms.
Saturday’s clash is, on available records, the first Bond University QAFLW match in which both coaches have played in the AFL. While a high-level playing career does not automatically make a great coach, the evidence that Andy Lovell (Bond University) and Matt Lappin (Southport) know how to create and communicate a game plan is overwhelming. Watching each of them respond to the changing conditions of the match will be an education for all who care to look.
For the third year in a row, the first Shark Stoush of the season is being played at the Canal in the early rounds. In 2023, Southport won the Stoush but Bond Uni won the return clash and the premiership. In 2024, the exact opposite happened. Historically, the lessons learned from the year’s first meeting have been as important as the four points.
Elsewhere in Round 4:
• Aspley travels to Maroochydore still searching for its first win of 2025;
• Moreton Bay visits Coorparoo with the same mission;
• University of Queensland hosts a Morningside team containing three of their former stars;
• and Wilston Grange looks to reignite its season at home against Yeronga.
BOND UNIVERSITY v SOUTHPORT
Saturday 3 May 2025, 4:45pm at Bond University Oval, Robina
Live stream with commentary on YouTube
Head-to-head: Played 9 - Southport won 5; Bond University won 4
Head-to-head at Bond University Oval: Played 4 - Southport won 3; Bond University won 1
Last time they met: 25 Aug 2024 (Grand Final) - Southport 8.6 (54) d Bond University 3.1 (19) at People First Stadium.
MAROOCHYDORE v ASPLEY
Saturday 3 May 2025, 2pm at Neil Upton Oval, Maroochydore
Live stream on YouTube
Head-to-head: Played 12 - Maroochydore won 7; Aspley won 5
Head-to-head at Neil Upton Oval: Played 5 - Maroochydore won 3; Aspley won 2
Last time they met: 6 Jul 2024 - Aspley 8.6 (54) d Maroochydore 2.3 (15) at Automall Aspley Oval.
COORPAROO v MORETON BAY
Saturday 3 May 2025, 2pm at Giffin Park, Coorparoo
Live stream on YouTube
Head-to-head: first meeting.
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND v MORNINGSIDE
Saturday 3 May 2025, 3:45pm at Base Architecture Meadows, St Lucia
Live stream on YouTube
Head-to-head: first meeting.
WILSTON GRANGE v YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE
Saturday 3 May 2025, 4:45pm at Hickey Park, Stafford
Live stream on YouTube
Head-to-head: Played 25 - Yeronga won 18; Wilston Grange won 7
Head-to-head at Hickey Park: Played 10 - Yeronga won 8; Wilston Grange won 2
Last time they met: 13 Jul 2024 - Wilston Grange 7.10 (52) d Yeronga 1.2 (8) at South Pine Sports Complex.
You can watch all matches in the Bond University QAFLW by visiting the AFLQ YouTube channel.