ASPLEY
Key Recruits
Leo Connolly (StKilda) - Rebounding Defender
James Webb (Kingborough, TSL) - Wing / Forward. Played for Tasmania in the state game the last two years.
Rory Tarlinton (North Cairns Tigers) - Key Defender / Forward. AFL Cairns Team of the Year Full Back.
Charlie Hewitt (Moreton Bay Lions) Key Forward / Defender
Key Departures
Jasper Craven (Victoria, Wangaratta Magpies)
Errin Wasley-Black (South Australia)
Tom Watson (Moreton Bay Lions)
Will O’Dwyer (Maroochydore)
Will Peppin (Tasmania, North Hobart)
Young player to watch:
Jake Howson - talented forward with strong hands. Good in the air and at ground level.
Expectations for the 2025 season - ADRIAN PILGRIM - Senior Coach
"We will continue to focus on individual and team development in the three phases of the game. If we can execute and balance our defensive systems with attacking ball movement consistently, we expect to remain competitive in games. Hopefully this will put us in strong winning positions throughout the season and enable us to challenge again come finals time."
SUMMARY
After finishing the 2024 Home and Away season as minor premiers, the reigning back-to-back champions were well on track to secure a hat-trick of premierships on its return to the QAFL. Straight set losses to eventual Grand Finalists Morningside and Redland Victoria Point were far from the ideal finish to the season but the fact that the playing group had the hunger to compete again at the highest level and be the hunted all season is a testament to the mental strength and ability of this club.
Aspley lost just three games during the home and away season; to Broadbeach and Maroochydore (who didn't make finals) and to a Tom Hickey led Palm Beach Currumbin. This for the most part showcased its drive to compete and beat the best in the top six and take down most challengers.
The club has lost Craven, Wasley-Black, Watson, O'Dwyer and Peppin; all who have played key roles in the premiership years. Former St Kilda young gun Leo Connolly is one of the bigger names to join the club (albeit with an injury-delayed start to the year) and is coming off VFL experience with Casey last season.
After enjoying the experience of playing against AFL Queensland over the past few seasons, James Webb has left the Apple Isle and joined the Hornets. Rory Tarlinton is another handy pick-up after coming across from North Cairns in the off-season and was another who played at Bond University Oval last year, but for North Queensland in the representative match. Charlie Hewitt crosses to the club from Moreton Bay and has enjoyed his experience in the Brisbane Lions Academy.
There is no doubt that the Hornets will rise again and be a genuine threat to the competition for the fourth year running. The losses are big, but the recruits will play key roles in owning their positions. Tarlinton is one to watch and it will be of great interest to see how he adapts and controls the game at this level.
If you're a loyal fan from Graham Road, there is still that hunger to add to that trophy cabinet.
BROADBEACH
Key Recruits
Matt Harvey
Beau Bailey
Aidan Hare
Adrian Speedy
Jye Lane
Liam Nelson
Sam Jasper
Ryan Gilmore.
Key Departures
Tom Reeves
Corey Hitchcock
Finn Gray
Young player to watch
Jez Butler
Expectations for the 2025 season - REGAN SHEEHAN | Football Operations
"To improve on last year and continue the form we finished the 2024 season with."
SUMMARY
The 2024 finals looked rather bizarre without the might of Broadbeach making an appearance. The club that the newly drafted Leo Lombard called home is back on the rise again ahead of the 2025 season.
A change in leadership and on-field talent provided new opportunities for players to make their mark in the QAFL and this club is ready to write a new chapter and restore the belief of 'business as usual' as it pushes towards the top six.
Matt Harvey headlines the list of new recruits to the club as the crafty player who knows how to kick a goal or two is fresh off playing in a preliminary final for Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo Football Netball League. Beau Bailey joins from the Mornington Peninsula Football League and like Harvey, has VFL experience under his belt.
Aidan Hare and Jy Lane have made the trip across from the WAFL and they will be joined by another Mornington Peninsula product Adrian Speedy. The return of club legends Liam Nelson, Sam Jasper and Ryan Gilmore will inject valuable strength, speed and goal scoring power into the team.
The loss of Reeves, Hitchcock and Gray will hurt but arguably the biggest hole will be left by 2023 J.A. Grogan Medallist Kwaby Boakye as he repairs and recovers from an ACL - but this playing group thrives off depth across its three teams and it will work hard to cover those losses.
It was a slow start to the 2024 season for the Danny Nolan led Cats but they can take pride in finishing the year strongly with wins over finalists Wilston Grange and Aspley, plus a spirited performance against Surfers Paradise later in the season.
There is a great foundation to build on and the five new additions and the return of some familiar faces will fill those key gaps and add that greater level of consistency that this team needs to return to the promised land yet again.
COORPAROO
Key Recruits
Kyle Dunkley – crosses from Morningside and the Brisbane Lions VFL list.
Jonah Licht – ex-Mt. Gravatt (& NEAFL) stalwart returning from a year interstate.
Bryce Longland - joins the club after crossing from Morningside where he played in the Reserves Grand Final in 2024. Has state level experience with the Lions Academy.
Luke Swinton - joins the Kings from Tasmania. While an ACL injury will keep him out of action for the 2025 season, his experience as a defensive coach will be invaluable and assist the team in a strong way as he prepares for his playing comeback in 2026.
Chris Evans - he is no Captain America or Johnny Blaze, he is better. A talented junior from the Victoria Point Sharks and Lions Academy.
Nathan White - crosses from Surfers Paradise and Bond University in recent years. Loaded with experience and will be a tremendous asset.
SUMMARY
The new kids on the block will be all fired up and ready to go for their much-talked-about entry into the QAFL. Former Kangas player & QLD State Coach Leigh ‘Turtle’ Harding holds the reins from the coaches box – it couldn’t be in better hands. After a successful run in the Division One competition in recent seasons and Giffin Park playing host to the 2022 and 2023 QAFL Grand Finals, fans already have a close association with the ground and the club. Existing players rising to the challenge will include Matt Suckling (former Hawk), Sam Holna (former capt), Luke Brown, Ben Hogan and Kyah Moncur (BL Academy).
There is a lot of unknowns about what it means for a new club to move into the state’s top-level competition but there is also lots of excitement and each team knows that they will be up for a big challenge.
LABRADOR
After just missing finals in 2024, the Tigers will be eager to return to ‘top 8’ contention in season 2025 under the stewardship of the experienced coach, Chris Rourke.
This team was the Jekyll and Hyde of the QAFL competition in 2025. It had strong wins over Surfers Paradise, Morningside (96-points) and Broadbeach but suffered tough losses to Aspley (101-points), Maroochydore, Sherwood and Noosa that ultimately made the difference in making finals.
Labrador has retained a core group of its list. Former AFL listed player and ball winning magnet Rhys Nicholls will be a key cog in his second season at the club; 2024 Danny Newman Medallist Aiden Fyfe will kick more goals and add more possessions to his name; Cade Gregory, Matt ‘Brucey’ Lee, Luke Coombes and Josh (& Jayden) Young headline just a fraction of the talent that will wear the yellow and black.
Archie Grant is one of the major inclusions this year after crossing from Morwell in the Gippsland Football Netball League. Archie is a tall and athletic wingman who can play as an intercepting defender and will be a key element to many forward thrusts.
Notable exits from the list this year include Tom Simpson, Jay Foon, Charlie Offermans and Jake Goldsmith.
Labrador has seen some turnover heading into 2025 but definitely remains a contender to make finals, though it needs to find that consistency to finish off games with full confidence.