A new season – new signings – new goals. The pre-season is over, anticipation awaits and the time for talking is over as the TPIL Lawyers QAFL returns for 2026 this weekend.
All matches are scheduled for 2pm Saturday but Wilston Grange will have to wait for Maroochydore in Round 2, as the floating bye remains for this year.
REDLAND VICTORIA POINT v SURFERS PARADISE Totally Workwear Park
The Grand Final rematch and the reigning premiers will unfurl the flag on home turf as they attempt a repeat effort. The Sharks look as strong as ever with powerhouse full-forward and Ray Hughson Medallist Matt Hammelmann ready to send shivers down the Surfers Paradise defence following his nine-goal effort in last years finale (including kicking the first seven!). The Sharks also staged a scintillating comeback in their Qualifying Final meeting to currently hold the wood over their opponents.
The Demons are naturally licking their wounds after last year but have put that behind them. Coach Sammy Dwyer in his second year has firmly put redemption on the agenda as the Benowa club strives for premiership glory following some recent near misses.
Some key signings including former Gold Coast SUN David Swallow and interstate recruit Josh Minogue looking to take the club to the next level.
Key INS:
REDLAND-VICTORIA POINT – Alex Sexton (GC SUNS)
SURFERS PARDISE – David Swallow (GC SUNS), Joshua Minogue (North Albury), Rory Tarlinton (Aspley)
LABRADOR v BROADBEACH Cooke-Murphy Oval
A tremendous start to Gold Coast rivalries with these two set to do battle for openers.
The Tigers are also looking for improvement from their 2025 position and had a taste of finals footy before succumbing to Surfers. Labrador had a disjointed start to last season and will be hoping for a smoother start and more consistent form. The Tigers will be relishing this clash on home turf and need to capitalise.
If Labrador's first half of last year was unsettling then Broadbeach had one to forget. In club turmoil saw the coach gone by halfway. But true to the Cats spirit they came storming back in the second half to actually make the finals before an early exit at Morningside. Their scalps included thrashing finalists Surfers Paradise and a thrilling win over Palm Beach Currumbin – both away!
New coach Darren Pfeiffer has settled in to Neptunes Home Oval and stamped his imprimatur on a club that is itching to get back into September action.
LABRADOR – Jordan Hayden (Aspley), Jay Foon (South Cairns), Liam Odea (Centrals)
BROADBEACH – Mitchell Carroll (Imperial), Jack Mentink (University/Perth)
MORNINGSIDE v PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN Jack Esplen Oval
An intriguing contest awaits in Brisbane between these rivals who are used to vying for QAFL supremacy and this clash should be no different. PBC will be rueing a missed opportunity from last year where they largely dominated the competition ending on top of the ladder including a win over eventual premiers RVP. Only to bow out in the preliminary final against the Demons. Of course they have the reigning JA Grogan Medallist Levi Casboult ready to do battle again for the Ray Hughson goal kicking medal with Hammelmann and a potent midfield anxious to avenge last years disappointing end. Tom Hickey has also worked his way back into the fold so they have the past two competitions best and fairest in their formidable squad. And sprinkle ex-Blues and Bulldogs key back Liam Jones into the team when available and the spine looks healthy!
Morningside's big announcement was welcoming strong forward Wylie Buzza to the club in 2026. Buzza was a Panthers VFL-aligned player while playing for the Brisbane Lions and more recently VFL finals experience with Southport. The Panthers also have a strong midfield presence and those match ups will be one of the features of this contest. Morningside suffered a couple of surprising losses to lower opposition late last season which had detrimental effect on their premiership hopes.
An opening round against this quality opponent should put them in the right frame of mind.
MORNINGSIDE – Wylie Buzza (Southport), Jake Howson (Aspley), Liam Dawson (Aspley), Jack Melican (Colac)
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN – Benjamin Holian (Strathmore), Ed Michelmore (Old Melburnians), Jack Exell (Calder United)
MAROOCHYDORE v ASPLEY Maroochydore Sports Centre/Neil Upton Oval
Maroochydore proved themselves to be one of the great improvers in 2025 spending a number of weeks in the top eight including a thrilling win over Morningside at this venue late in the season. Zach Shelton is a recent arrival from Golden Square in the Bendigo area and was named in the local league Team of the Year last year and in 2021.The Roos will be looking to take full advantage of their home ground against an opponent that is always ready for any occasion either home or away.
Aspley were also pressing for premiership glory in 2025 but fell short when it mattered despite a trademark effort by Connor Stackelberg at full forward and a formidable midfield on its day. The Hornets are delighted to welcome back former North Melbourne and Brisbane Lion Ryan Bastinac who was Aspley's vice-captain during the 2021 VFL season. He is also bringing brother Jordan with him. Jordan was a graduate of of the Dandenong Stingrays TAC Cup program and played with Frankston. The Hornets are never usually far away from finals calculations but with a significant turnover of playing personnel for 2026, this first-up assignment up the Bruce Hwy is a healthy test.
MAROOCHYDORE – Matthew Gaul (Noosa), Sam McLachlan (Nth Warrnambool), Zack Shelton (Golden Square)
ASPLEY – Ryan Bastinac/Jordan Bastinac (Pearcedale), Jake Whitty (Mt. Burr)
NOOSA V COORPAROO Noosa/Rococo Oval
What a boost for Sunshine Coast football if Noosa and Maroochy can break through with opening round victories on their respective home turf. Like their 'cousins' down the highway Noosa enjoyed time in the top flight in 2025 before falling away at the wrong end of the season. One of those losses was to this week's opponent just as the Tigers were on the fringe of finals footy.
It was a major highlight for Coorparoo as the Kings returned to the TPIL Lawyers QAFL top flight in 2025 and no doubt looking to improve further this season.
A victory on the Sunny Coast would be a tremendous boost for their confidence and would make teams sit up and take notice.
NOOSA – James Tsitas (Broadbeach), Sam Tilley/Tate Winter (Lauderdale), Hunter Lewis (St. Joseph’s), Lucas Jellyman-Turner (Broadbeach), Aaron Hawker (Colac)
COORPAROO – Josh Altus (Goodwood), Lucian Andonov (Sandgate)
MT GRAVATT v SHERWOOD Southside Toyota Oval/Dittmer Park
Two teams that spent most of 2025 out of finals contention although Sherwood made a charge with consecutive late season wins over Morningside and Broadbeach provided some hope. However, a narrow loss at home to Coorparoo in July spoilt their finals plans. The Magpies are another side aiming to climb further up the ladder this season.
Mt Gravatt's lack of on-field success was well documented in a difficult year for the proud club in 2025. The Vultures have no doubt addressed a few of those and and a home fixture in front of a crowd of loyal supporters would be a positive start on a long road back.
MT. GRAVATT – Jake Torney (Old Scotch), Ben Major (Diamond Creek), Blair Healy (Old Paradians)
SHERWOOD – Harrison Newitt (Beaufort), Jai Lette (Scottsdale), Bailey Marshall (Scoresby)
Wilston Grange - have the bye and will be keen to analyse the round one results. The Gorillas were another team around the middle of the ladder that showed glimpses with some impressive results including a memorable home win over the eventual premiers (RVP) in June.
So the scene is now set for the season to be kicked off and there will be review of all the action in TPIL Lawyers QAFL and the Bond University QAFLW when their season commences on this website following each round.