Image: TJ Yelds
Following an enthralling and exciting round one, the TPIL Lawyers QAFL returns after the weekend break. All matches are scheduled for Saturday and Coorparoo has the bye this week.
SURFERS PARADISE v MORNINGSIDE 2pm Kallibr Homes Oval
Early in the season, but is this a potential Grand Final match-up for September? Surfers Paradise illustrated their 2026 intentions in the opening round by avenging last year’s September defeat in determined fashion against Redland-Victoria Point. Meanwhile, Morningside with the aid of a couple of handy additions overcame Palm Beach Currumbin in the final term to show that the Panthers will be a force again this season.
The two teams met only once last year – round seven at Jack Esplen Oval – and in a tight contest the Panthers prevailed by 16 points before both made the finals but avoided each other. The Demons midfield featuring Ben Woodburn, new skipper Matt Doran, Cam Ellis-Yolmen, new recruit David Swallow and Hugh Greenwood up against the Panthers mids in skipper Jack Rolls, Tommy Horne, Garrett McDonagh and Tristan Hobley plus the strike power up forward of Shaquille McLeod and the new addition Wylie Buzza makes this an eagerly awaited fixture and some early bragging rights.
BROADBEACH v NOOSA 1pm Neptunes Homes Oval
(Please note the slightly earlier starting time here)
New Broadbeach coach Darren Pfeiffer came so close to having a dream start but fell just short in the dying minutes against Labrador. No doubt lessons would have been learned, and the Cats will look to take full advantage of home turf at Merrimac. Noosa received a scare at home in Round One from Coorparoo but eventually came away with the win giving new coach Darren Winter the taste of 4 points in Queensland. Like the above match these two only met once last year and it was in round seven! The Noosa Tigers had a comfortable home win but that was over the 'old' Broadbeach. A vastly different Cats opposition will run out on Saturday and be desperate to open this seasons account - but the Tigers have an opportunity kick off the season with two wins on the trot, and a joyous retreat north on Saturday evening.
ASPLEY v LABRADOR 2pm Automall Aspley Oval
An intriguing contest awaits in Brisbane between these rivals that last season you might have penned down as a home team win. However, with numerous off-season changes at Automall Aspley Oval and following an unsuccessful trip to Maroochydore in round one, there is plenty of work to be done. The Bastinacs, Lachie Sherwood and Mason O’Sullivan will be looking to add to their early season good form. Meanwhile, Labrador were fortuitous to scrape home against the Cats two weeks ago and would have derived great benefit from that run. The fleet-footed midfield of the Foons, ‘Brucey’ Lee and former Hornet Jordan Hayden will be looking to take things up another notch on Saturday. If the Tigers have plans for going deep in September, this is a clash they must capitalise on but by the same token, the Hornets hive is not to be taken lightly.
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN V MT GRAVATT 2pm Stalagmite Oval
Mt Gravatt was the story in round one following their first competition victory in two years.
The return of Jake Torney and the addition of Ben Major resulted in a thrilling 1 point win that no doubt lifted spirits at Dittmer Park and an opportunity to throw everything at this week’s opponent presents itself. Palm Beach Currumbin fought a great battle in a high quality encounter in Round One against Morningside, but an untimely injury to key tall Tom Hickey and a powerful Panthers last term extinguished the Lions winning chances.
Back on the Gold Coast tomorrow and PBC are out to bounce back from that loss and grab the four points with a quality midfield (Simpson, Holian and the ‘King’ is back) and strike power up forward headed by Levi Casboult.
SHERWOOD V REDLAND VICTORIA POINT 2pm Powenyenna Oval
This is the only match in the round which has teams opposing each other that suffered defeats from two weeks ago, and naturally both teams will be anxious/motivated to get a win on the board. The home team will take encouragement from taking the eventual premiers (RVP) to within two points at this venue in early May last year. The Magpies showed in 2025 that they can mix it with the 'big boys’ with some crucial wins and a late run at the top eight. Jack Austin will need to be at his best on Saturday and the core group of disposalists in Collins, Meekin and Glass will need to support evergreen Will Fletcher to provide the forwards the opportunity to kick a score. The loss to the Vultures in Round One might be the trigger that was needed to excel on Saturday! RVP will undoubtedly be reminded of that narrow escape on Powenyenna last year so should be fully prepared – with Willo at one end and Hammer at the other…and a midfield stacked with weapons, including former Brisbane Lions James Madden, an Irishman known for his speed. Not that extra motivation is likely required following the opening round loss to Grand Final adversaries Surfers Paradise in a quality match, so expect the Sharks to bite back hard.
WILSTON GRANGE v MAROOCHYDORE 2pm Hickey Park
Wilston Grange had the bye in Round One and will be keen to finally get on the field to commence their 2026 campaign. The Gorillas were another team around the middle of the ladder last season that showed glimpses with some impressive results including a memorable home win over the eventual premiers (RVP) in June. The youthful Grange though were twice beaten by this week’s opponent (the Roos) last year. The second time round in a low scoring affair at Hickey Park, the Gorillas inaccuracy in front of goal did not help. Maroochydore go into this fascinating contest following a confidence boosting win over Aspley in Round One and will need to be ready for a fresh and spirited Wilston Grange outfit that has proactively recruited during the off-season.
Some new gorillas to look for include: Josh Butson (Gold Coast academy, Cairns Lions),
James Creighton (Brisbane Lions, GWS Giants), Fitzroy Greenwool (Cairns and GC Suns in the NEAFL) and Mark Horne from the Cairns/Nth Qld area as well.
COORPAROO sit out Round Two after their close loss to Noosa and will look forward to hosting Aspley at Giffin Park in Round Three.