SOUTHPORT (1ST) V WILSTON GRANGE (4TH) 2-30PM FANKHAUSER RESERVE
Southport’s brilliant winning streak came to a wet and miserable end away to Coorparoo last week and will be anxious to return to winning form ahead of the finals. Standing in their way are the ever-improving Wilston Grange and next week’s final round sees an eagerly awaited away clash with second-placed Morningside.
The defending premiers will be hurting that their unblemished record came unstuck last week and with the Panthers level with them on 13 wins, they will be desperate to hold on to that top spot and secure the home final.
However, in some breaking news on Friday, versatile key position player Tayla Gregory has joined the Gold Coast SUNS on the eve of the 2025 AFLW season.
After forming a key part of the Sharks’ 2024 QAFLW premiership side, Gregory has featured in Southport’s best on nine occasions in 2025, in addition to a best-on-ground display for Queensland earlier this month, where she finished with 31 hit outs and 23 disposals.
Gregory joins the club as an injury replacement player for Heidi Talbot who will be sidelined for the season with a shoulder injury which requires surgery.
The talented Shark is in the mix to feature for the first time in SUNS colours in Saturday night’s practice match against Geelong at People First Stadium.
Wilston Grange appear to be in better form than when they hosted Southport back in round nine and were humbled by 75 points. That was the Gorillas last loss and in amongst those wins since were victories over fellow finals aspirants Aspley and Bond University.
In fact, the Grange have been steadily improving from last year where they finished fifth on the ladder with six wins. Already in 2025 with two rounds remaining, they have nine wins and are intent on making a presence in this year’s finals series.
ASPLEY (6TH) V COORPAROO (3RD) 2PM AUTOMALL ASPLEY OVAL (GRAHAM ROAD)
Aspley finished equal on points with Southport in 2024 but are finding this year more of a battle and are sitting precariously in sixth with University of Queensland ready to jump in if they slip up.
The Hornets have lost three out of their last four games including the previous two to Bond University and Southport. However, there was a valuable win over Morningside in round ten, but that was cancelled out the following week with a narrow defeat at Wilston Grange.
The previous meeting with Coorparoo in round four at Giffin Park resulted in a 20-point loss after failing to keep pace with the Kings after half time. A must win here to be a part of this year’s finals.
The issue for Coorparoo is to come down off that ecstatic high following the memorable win over the Sharks last week. It was a gutsy effort in the conditions and to restrict such a formidable outfit to only one goal, even in the wet. Led by captain Ayla Fetahagic, the Kings other stars including Grace Roberts-White, Renee Teys and Lucy Schneider will need to ensure the team’s focus is on the job at hand this week. Like Wilston Grange, the Kings have elevated themselves this season to reach 10 wins – four more than last year. Now they have taken a big scalp it needs to be followed up against a desperate Hornets side in this critical clash.
As mentioned, UQ(7th) are ready to jump above Aspley if that result goes their way, but their first requirement is a win over Moreton Bay at 3-45pm on Saturday afternoon at home. The Red Lionesses battled bravely in the horrendous conditions last week at Morningside and with a bit more luck the result may have had a different outcome than a five-point loss.
Conversely, the Lions have managed three wins this season and will be looking to finish off the season with some positivity and make like difficult for UQ in their quest for a finals place. Jess Davy supported by youngsters Emmerson Brady, Tahlia Benson, Kiah Thompson and Mahalia Johnson will be keen to test UQ’s Eva Sartor, Harriet Knijff and Gabi Simpson who returns from netball duties abroad.
Following a couple of tricky away fixtures resulting in defeats against ladder leaders Southport and finals aspirants Wilston Grange, Bond University appreciated the return to home turf and winning form over Aspley last week.
While the Bull Sharks (5th) are now safely two games ahead of the Hornets they are level with Wilston Grange on nine wins but are minus 23 percent differential. Grand finalists in 2024 they will be keen to return to the top four and another crack at Southport.
On Saturday Bond must travel to the Sunshine Coast to play Maroochydore with the two sides meeting recently in round 11. The Roos themselves returned to the winners list last week and are looking for further improvement in front of their home supporters.
It might be difficult for Morningside to focus on this week with such a big clash against rivals Southport in the final round next week. However, there is an opportunity for the Panthers to move a game ahead if the Sharks do fail on Saturday.
The task too will be difficult for hosts Yeronga South Brisbane at Leyshon Park (4-45pm), but like other teams around them, the young Devils will learn a lot from their opposition and look for some positives to finish off the season.