Photo by Anthony Byron.
Broadbeach will test themselves in their inaugural match against the reigning premiers, Southport, ahead of the Bond University QAFLW competition return tomorrow.
The Gold Coast derby is amongst the five blockbuster games scheduled across the Coast, Brisbane and Moreton Bay.
Ahead of the season opener, Bond University have extended their support of the QAFLW competition as the naming rights partner for a tenth season, reaffirming their commitment to developing women’s Australian rules football in Queensland.
Bond University have become known for nurturing the next generation of talent in Queensland, including future NAB AFL Women’s stars, since first partnering with the competition in 2017.
At the 2025 Telstra AFLW Draft, all eight Queensland players drafted to the Gold Coast SUNS starred in the Bond University QAFLW competition. Five of the draftees played in Southport’s premiership victory over Morningside last season, including the SUNS top pick Sunny Lappin, who was awarded Best on Ground for her performance in the Grand Final.
Head of AFL Queensland Richie Lyons thanked Bond University for their continued support.
“Bond University’s support of our QAFLW competition over the past decade, demonstrates their advocacy and commitment to growing and developing senior competitive women’s Australian rules football in Queensland,” he said.
“With so many NAB AFL Women’s players having their start in this competition, it demonstrates a genuine pathway for Queensland women and girls to aspire to.
“We are anticipating another season of thrilling football, with epic games and fierce rivalries and I wish our players, coaches, umpires and volunteers all the best for the season ahead.”
Bond University Director of Sport Michael Collins said the University was proud to continue its long-standing partnership with the QAFLW, a competition that has become a vital pathway for women’s football in Queensland.
“To see so many AFLW players emerge from the QAFLW competition speaks to the strength of the pathway that exists in Queensland,” Collins said.
“At Bond University we’re proud to support that journey, whether it’s through our long-standing naming rights partnership with the competition or through the AFL scholarships we offer to female athletes.
“Our aim has always been to help talented young women thrive both on the field and in the classroom.”
At the 2026 Bond University QAFLW Media Day, Captains and representatives from all 10 clubs shared their predictions on how they think the season will unfold.
Seven captains have backed defending premiers Southport for a three-peat in 2026.
Two captains tipped Southport’s Steph O’Brien to win her third Emma Zielke Medal as the competition’s best and fairest player. While Aspley’s Jessica Stallard is the favourite to be the 2026 Leading Goalkicker.
Full questions and voting results are below.
Which club aside from your own is most likely to reach the Bond University QAFLW Grand Final?
Southport - 7
Morningside - 3
Who is your predicted Emma Zielke Medallist?
Steph O’Brien (Southport) – 2
Shannon Nolan (Bond University) - 1
Olivia Meagher (Southport) – 1
Jasmine Single (Broadbeach) – 1
Jacinta Baldwick (Coorparoo) – 1
Laura Roy (Morningside) – 1
Ella Smith (Aspley) – 1
Grace Roberts-White (Coorparoo) – 1
Keyshia Matenga (Wilston Grange) – 1
Who will win the 2026 Leading Goalkicker Medal?
Jess Stallard (Aspley) – 2
Lucy Bellinger (Morningside) – 1
Giselle Davies (Southport) – 1
Jessica Stallard (Aspley) – 1
Chelsea Lee (Broadbeach) – 1
Kendra Blattman (Bond University) – 1
Taima Rue (Moreton Bay) – 1
Chelsea Chesterfield (Coorparoo) – 1
Steph O’Brien (Southport) – 1
Who will be the 2026 Rising Star?
Martha Webb (UQ) – 1
Peyton Mackie (Southport) – 1
Issy McDonough (Aspley) – 1
Phoebe Tuck (Maroochydore) – 1
Billie Cooke (Bond University) – 1
Shae McDonald (Coorparoo) – 1
Taima Rue (Moreton Bay) – 1
Keleejay Bingham (Wilston Grange) – 1
Ally Lappin (Morningside) – 1
Josephine Plath (Broadbeach) - 1
Who will win Mark of the Year?
Ayla Fetahagic (Coorparoo) – 1
Yve Fittock (UQ) – 1
Jess Davy (Moreton Bay) – 1
Tiara Steel (Coorparoo) – 1
Giselle Davies (Southport) – 1
Zimmorlei Farquharson (Wilston Grange) – 1
Halle Cunningham (Broadbeach) – 1
Sarah Humm (Maroochydore) – 1
Annabel Lynch (Bond University) – 1
Gracie Roy (Morningside) – 1
Who will win Goal of the Year?
Katie Day (Morningside) – 2
Cailtin Miller (Southport) – 1
Chelsea Chesterfield (Coorparoo) – 1
Summer Hamilton (Wilston Grange) – 1
Amelia Ella (Bond University) – 1
Amie Millard (Broadbeach) – 1
Anita Ovenden (Maroochydore) – 1
Laura Irvin (Moreton Bay) – 1
Lilly Gilliland (UQ) – 1