Surfers Paradise reversed their demons from recent results against Redland-Victoria Point in defeating the reigning premiers. Mt Gravatt are celebrating after winning their first match in two years in a thriller whilst Morningside in another tight contest overcame Palm Beach Currumbin in a stunning final term. Labrador kicked the last two goals of the game to escape a determined Broadbeach and the Sunshine Coast celebrated a rare home ground victory double as round one provided plenty of highlights to kick off the TPIL Lawyers QAFL season 2026.
At Totally Workwear Park, Redland-Victoria Point unfurled the 2025 premiership flag, but that was the Sharks only highlight as Surfers Paradise confirmed their preseason determination in defeating the reigning premiers by 30 points 20.9.(129) to 15.9.(99)
Like we have seen in the early AFL matches this contest was punctuated with high scoring as 13 goals were kicked between the two teams in the first quarter. They piled on another five goals each in the second for a combined 23-goal opening half, but Surfers holding an 18-point lead at the main break. The Demons then broke away in the third term with a further five goals to establish a match winning lead of 38 points at three-quarter time. Any concerns about final term fade outs against the Sharks were firmly quashed as the visitors withstood any challenge to maintain their advantage to start the season in the best possible fashion.
The result was the perfect debut for prized recruit David Swallow who gathered 23 disposals, five clearances and laid seven tackles. Profile piece from last week Ben Woodburn was the star again (29 disposals, seven clearances, eight tackles plus three goals) with new skipper Matt Doran and Cam Ellis-Yolmen also instrumental in the win. Laurence King led the goalkicking with four as 11 Demons shared the goals.
Meanwhile reigning Ray Hughson Medallist Matt Hammelemnn was restricted to three majors along with Josh Brown for the Sharks while Campbell Aston (35 possessions) and new recruit Alex Sexton, Jake Chapman and ruckman Craig Malone among their best.
Boom recruit Wylie Buzza proved his worth in guiding Morningside home against fellow premiership aspirants Palm Beach Currumbin. The Panthers came from behind booting the last three goals in the game to defeat the Lions by 13 points 11.11.(77) to 9.10.(64).
Buzza instrumental with three goals (23 disposals, nine marks,13 hitouts) and his ruckwork around the ground as Shaquille McLeod was lively with three goals as well. Garrett Mcdonagh (30 disposals), Liam Dawson and Jack Rolls to name a few playing valuable roles in the Panther's victory. The Lions rueing an injury to their star recruit Tom Hickey who had 30 hit-outs, nine clearances among his 19 possessions before his demise as Morningside took control in the final term. PBC's midfield again a force to be reckoned though, with Tom Simpson amassing 40 disposals, AJ Dawson (32 and two goals), Ben Holian (25 disposals) while JA Grogan Medallist Levi Casboult kicked a goal among his 13 possessions and eight hit-outs.
Mt Gravatt are finally celebrating after a thrilling one-point victory over Sherwood at home in front of their loyal and long suffering supporters. The Vultures had not won a game in two years and despite leading all day it looked like that winning feeling was about to be snatched away from them again. The home team led by 13 points at halftime before the game opened up in the third with both teams booting six goals, but Mt Gravatt still held the advantage at the last break.
Sherwood though stormed home and hit the front halfway through the last term as Connor Ashcroft pounced on a tap out from the ruck to put the Magpies in front with his third goal for the match.
It was not until the 28-minute mark following a scrappy and scrambly bit of play in the Vultures forward line that dangerous forward Benjamin Costa snapped truly from close range for his third goal and Mt Gravatt's only one in the term. The siren sounded soon after as wild scenes prevailed after such a long losing streak. Ben Major and and Michael Gordon kicked two each while Brady Rowles Fletcher Clare and Jake Torney were key players in the Vultures win.
Will Fletcher led the way for Sherwood with three goals. Owen Collins, Jack Austin, Jasper Delaney-Taylor (nine tackles) together with Fletcher and Ashcroft the better players for the Magpies.
Broadbeach under new coach Darren Pfieffer fought bravely for the most part at Cooke-Murphy Oval to almost cause an upset against home favourite Labrador. However, the Tigers dug deep in the final minutes with majors to Jake Goldsmith from the boundary and a long range attempt from Cade Gregory which just cleared the goal-line saw Labrador home by two points.
Aiden Fyfe was also instrumental up front with four goals, new addition Jay Foon (26 possessions) proved his worth and ever reliable efforts from Luke Coombes, Mason Field and Harry Sullivan got them over the line despite the home side missing several chances in third quarter.
Broadbeach were unable to take full advantage of the northern scoring end in that term and the young Cats cause was not helped with a couple of players injured late in the game but no doubt will derive great benefit from the tight contest. Mitchell Carroll, Blake Erickson, Max Hudson Brandon Chadwick and Alan O'Neill just some of the many Cats that tried hard all day.
The final two matches were played on the Sunshine Coast and again celebrations were held long and loud as both Maroochydore and Noosa recorded victories.
Maroochydore illustrated that their improved showing in 2025 was no fluke as they easily disposed of last years finalists Aspley to the tune of 54 points.
A stunning opening quarter kicking seven goals while keeping the visitors goalless set the scene for a memorable win. A further eight goals to only five never the had the home team worried with Hugo Papst leading the way with five majors Aaron Wilson and Koby Young starting where they left off last year with three apiece. Benjamin Thomas, Matthew Gaul, Jackson Bury and Max McDonald leading the stats for the Roos.
Despite a relatively new look Aspley outfit with Ryan Bastinac (28 disposals) back in the fold they lacked the usual firepower up forward to make any inroads on the determined Roos. Lachaln Sherwood, Finbar Delbridge, Bayley Roberts and Heath Mercer listed among the Hornets best.
Further up the highway, Noosa were asked to fight a little harder against Coorparoo, but the home side withstood a late challenge from the visitors to hold on by eight points. Officially the final score 11.10.(76) to 10.8.(68). The Noosa Tigers had established a handy four-goal lead at half-time but only managed three six-pointers in the second half as the Kings found a spark booting four goals of their own in the final term.
However, a freakish snap from the pocket by Noosa playmaker Maverick Pettigrove (30 disposals, six clearances) helped steady the ship and the Tigers held on for a valuable win. Judging by the background noise of the feathered bird-life at Rococo Oval even they were excited by the close finish!!
Besides Pettigrove, Sam Tilley (game high 33 possessions), Billy Shanks, Aaron Hawker (10 tackles) and Ethan Stanley with four goals the main contributors for the home team.
For Coorparoo, Josh Altius with four goals from 16 possessions, Lachaln McClare (three goals), Noah Polinski, Rafe Priestley and Angus O'Brien listed among their best.
A reminder that Wilston Grange had the bye and the whole TPIL Lawyers QAFL has the Easter weekend off so the Gorillas need to wait a little longer to make their presence felt. If some of the standard and thrilling results we have witnessed in round one continue it is going to be an enthralling season 2026.