Image: Anthony Byron
Some key matches this week in Bond University QAFLW Round Five with Coorparoo hosting Southport and Aspley playing Morningside.
COORPAROO (1st) v SOUTHPORT (2nd) 4.45pm Giffin Park
Southport dislodged ladder leader Wilston Grange last week - will they do the same with Coorparoo here? The reigning premiers produced a quality burst of football in the third quarter to nullify the Gorillas challenge and sent a warning to the competition that they have not lost their hunger for success and want their top spot on the ladder back. Leaders Rianna Schipp, Steph O’Brien, Megan Hunt and Olivia Meagher have all started 2026 strong and will undoubtedly be keen to continue to trend this week.
Coorparoo jumped out of the blocks conquering a couple of fellow rivals Aspley then Bond University in round three on the way to remaining undefeated. The extra recruiting during the pre-season paying dividends early for the Kings who face their biggest test against the Sharks. Chelsea Chesterfield is kicking goals, Grace Roberts-White hunts the ball, Lucy Schneider is racking up possessions and rock solid captain Ayla Fetahagic continues to lead the team with aplomb.
Naturally it will be fresh in the minds of Southport players that their only loss last season was here at Giffin Park in atrocious conditions. Let us hope drier conditions will prevail to produce another quality exhibition of QAFLW football.
ASPLEY (6th) v (5th) v MORNINGSIDE 4.45PM Automall Aspley Oval
Aspley had become used to playing finals in the women's competition, but last year that slipped a bit as Morningside and other teams have entered QAFLW and raised the level. The Hornets made the preliminary final in 2024 before losing to Bond University and last season while making the finals in sixth spot lost again to the Bull Sharks in the first week.
Repeat round one this year, Bond Uni was their conqueror and the unbeaten Coorparoo the following week, but Aspley have bounced back to even out the win/loss ratio defeating teams beneath them on the ladder.
Morningside have endured a tough few rounds against some of the major players, which included a nail-biting win over Southport, but subsequent losses to Wilston Grange and Bond University have them amongst the pack.
It will be a big game for 'new' Panther Kaitlyn Day playing against her former club in which she starred in the corresponding fixture last year. The Hornets victorious by 17 points with Day collecting 28 disposals and two goals. No extra motivation required here for Aspley to claim a big scalp.
MORETON BAY v BROADBEACH 1pm Red Rooster Park
The two relative newcomers meet for the first time in a match both will be desperate to celebrate a maiden win. The Lions for this season and for the Cats – a maiden win in QAFLW history for the debutantes.
Moreton Bay have endured a couple of big losses but can score when given the chance and this contest presents their best opportunity to put their talent on the big stage.
Likewise for Broadbeach who went so close last week against the University of Queensland and would have learnt a great deal from that defeat. Desperation will only count for so much, it will be a matter which team can execute best to get over the line in front. One thing is for certain, the winning teams celebrations should be special.
In the remaining two matches, University of Queensland will be hosting a wounded Wilston Grange at 3-45pm at UQ Playing Field 2 (Base Architecture Meadows). The Gorillas suffered their first defeat of the season away to Southport last week and on that form will be keen to bounce back.
UQ though are only one game behind their opponents and always have an eye on the top half of the ladder. The Grange had the better of the Red Lionesses last year, but another home game here for the students so they can ask a few questions.
Bond University had a win to savour for the ages over Morningside last week and will be hoping for drier conditions on the Sunshine Coast where they take on Maroochydore (4-45pm Neil Upton Oval). The Bull Sharks sit third on the ladder but know they can potentially climb higher with the top two meeting each other. They will not be taking this game lightly as the Roos have shown they can score when required. A true test for the 'green machine' this week.