As practice matches across the QAFL and Bond University QAFLW ramp up from this weekend, several fresh faces will officially take the helm with a number of new head coaches announced for the 2025 season.
Coorparoo have two new head coaches, with Leigh Harding and Ben MacKenzie being appointed to the QAFL and QAFLW roles respectively.
Harding makes the move from the clubs’ QAFLW program, where he was an assistant coach last season. Harding’s 141 AFL games, and coaching experience within the NEAFL, QAFL as well as leading the Queensland Men’s State team for the past two years makes him an outstanding appointment for the club.
MacKenzie steps into the head coaching role after spending 2024 as an assistant role under Rory Lake as the midfield and strategy coach.
Whilst having a limited Queensland based playing resume, prior to his move to the Sunshine State Mackenzie played senior football across the highly talented Riverina Football League, in New South Wales, and impressed the club with his coaching prowess last season.
Morningside welcome Damien Richards to their women’s head coaching role, with preparations in full swing for their elevation to the Bond University QAFLW. Richards come highly credentialed, most recently coaching in a development position with the Brisbane Lions AFLW side in 2022 and 2023.
Richards has previously coached at QAFLW, leading Coorparoo to back to back QAFLW flags in 2013 and 14 and has been a part of numerous Queensland State Team coaching roles as well.
Moreton Bay have re-appointed Shane Dawes as their Head Coach to take their side to the QAFLW, with Dawes having coaches the Lions QFAW Division 1 side for a number of years.
Dawes has fostered an environment that drives sustained success, after leading the group to a QFAW Division 1 elimination final last year, on the back of a 2023 premiership and a 2022 Grand Final appearance.
Labrador will welcome Chris Rourke into the role as Head Coach, after spending 2024 as the club’s Football Operations Manager.
Rourke’s most recent coaching role was with QAFL rivals Noosa, where he led the Sunshine Coast squad to the finals in his first season in 2022, and has previously coached at Canberra powerhouse Ainslie Football Club for over a decade, securing six premierships for the club.
Southport will be led by Matthew Lappin, replacing the outgoing Peter Doherty as their QAFLW Senior Head Coach for the next two seasons.
Lappin comes highly credentialed, most recently being at the helm of the Surfers Paradise QAFL program for the past two seasons.
Lappin played 55 AFL games for St Kilda and 196 for Carlton, and since retiring from playing AFL in 2007, has had coaching roles at Collingwood, Carlton and Gold Coast SUNS.
Formerly coaching in the Southport NEAFL and VFL ranks over a five year period from 2018 to 2022, Lappin will return to the Sharks with the task of taking the squad to back to back Bond University QAFLW premierships.
Surfers Paradise had the task of replacing the outgoing Matthew Lappin, announcing the elevation of assistant coach Sam Dwyer to Head Coach.
Dwyer came to the Demons in 2024, previously coaching with Port Melbourne and Geelong Grammar. A VFL premiership player with 39 games of AFL experience, Dwyer is a quality appointment who has an exciting young list to continue to develop into the 2025 season.
Whilst the group has had a strong rebuild, playing finals over the past two years, Dwyer will be hoping to steer the group deeper into September after bowing out in week one of finals in the previous two campaigns.
Anthony Sacco will lead Yeronga’s QAFLW charge in 2025, taking over from Stu Mackay. Sacco moves into the head role after spending the 2024 season in charge of the Devils mid-field, having previously coached with Sherwood’s QFAW Division 1 program across 2022 and 2023.
With a long list of playing and coaching experience across Australia and abroad, Sacco’s transition into the new role has been seamless across the start of the pre-season.