RED LIONESSES AND HORNETS FACE CROSSROADS IN THE MEADOWS
University of Queensland and Aspley have the chance to deal a major blow to a fellow Bond University QAFLW finals contender when they meet at Base Architecture Meadows on Saturday afternoon.
The Red Lionesses have begun their season by following the form guide exactly: losses to the top three sides; wins over the bottom two. With five of their next six matches played in St Lucia, a good run of results could entrench them in the top half of the ladder.
The Hornets have just the one win from their first five matches, having also lost to the top three. A win on Saturday will ensure that they don’t lose touch with the top six.
UQ has made two changes from the side that lost to Southport: defenders Orla Crowley and Julia Dawson come onto the bench in place of Finn Davies and Bailey Cooke.
Aspley brings in four new faces: Queensland and Northern Territory representative Jaimie Bryant makes her 2025 debut; Bree McKenzie returns to the top grade for the first time since 2023; Ella McCall makes her Seniors debut after a long apprenticeship in Reserves; and former Yeronga winger Lyneeka Hollows returns to the state league for the first time since 2021 having enjoyed several years of success with the North Mackay Saints.
There is no question that the wet weather, predicted to also affect Round 6, has played a significant role in the 2025 Bond University QAFLW, but it has not affected each side equally.
UQ has played more of a contested ball style in recent years and keep finding key midfielders who thrive in that environment. This year, former Lions Academy and Yeronga Devil Farradai Hopkins has not only won most of the hard ball in the middle of the ground but has also been responsible for much of the Red Lionesses’ forward drive.
Aspley, meanwhile, has probably been more affected than any side by the unseasonal wet weather, its running handball game repeatedly undone by handling errors and unsure footing.
Long-term injuries to nine key players, most notably Louise Tyson and Lucy Pengelly, haven’t helped either. Whereas their passing by both hand and foot over the past two years has been precise and tight, Aspley has found this year that to lose two Lous makes them too loose.
The brown and golds still have very high possession statistics and even the highest disposal efficiency of any team this year. Midfielder Jasmine Kawa has played at a consistently high standard of late, captain Emma Pittman misses a pass about once a month, and new ruck Emma MacDonald is arguably even more valuable to her side once the restart is over.
However, the breaking of the possession chain at crucial moments means that the Hornets have just 14 forward-50 marks this year, the second fewest in the competition.
Against that, UQ leads the league for intercept marks: 68 taken by 22 different players. Errant inside-50 entries have been picked off by Hopkins (9), halfback Jessi Henning (6), ruck Coco Garton (5), or breakout defenders Sammy Snowden and Harriet Gow (5 each).
Gow made her state league debut last year but has noticeably grown in confidence, while Snowden’s performance against Southport looked nothing like someone who was playing junior and school football just nine months ago. If Aspley’s forward-50 entries are anything but precise, the stocks of Gow and Snowden could skyrocket.
Also in Round 6:
• Southport looks to preserve its perfect record against Coorparoo;
• A for Morningside over Maroochydore would make them the first team to win its first six Bond University QAFLW matches
• Yeronga will look to tear up the form guide when it hosts Bond University;
• and Moreton Bay will look to build on last week’s maiden win when it travels to Wilston Grange.
UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND v ASPLEY
Saturday 17 May 2025, 2pm at Base Architecture Meadows, St Lucia
Live stream with commentary on YouTube
Head-to-head: Played 12 - University of Queensland won 9; Aspley won 3
Head-to-head at Base Architecture Meadows: Played 4 - University of Queensland won 2; Aspley won 2
Last time they met: 15 Jun 2024 - Aspley 5.6 (36) d University of Queensland 3.6 (24) at Base Architecture Meadows.
SOUTHPORT v COORPAROO
Saturday 17 May 2025, 2pm at Fankhauser Reserve, Southport
Live stream on YouTube
Head-to-head: Played 6 - Southport won 6
Head-to-head at Fankhauser Reserve: Played 3 - Southport won 3
Last time they met: 20 Jul 2024 - Southport 12.9 (81) d Coorparoo 1.0 (6) at Fankhauser Reserve.
MORNINGSIDE v MAROOCHYDORE
Saturday 17 May 2025, 4:45pm at Jack Esplen Oval, Hawthorne
Live stream on YouTube
Head-to-head: first meeting.
YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE v BOND UNIVERSITY
Saturday 17 May 2025, 4:45pm at Leyshon Park, Yeronga
Live stream on YouTube
Head-to-head: Played 15 - Bond University won 10; Yeronga won 5
Head-to-head at Leyshon Park: Played 7 - Bond University won 5; Yeronga won 2
Last time they met: 15 Jun 2024 - Bond University 15.11 (101) d Yeronga South Brisbane 1.0 (6) at Bond University Oval.
WILSTON GRANGE v MORETON BAY
Saturday 17 May 2025, 5pm at Hickey Park, Stafford
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.