A maiden Women’s Division 1 Premiership awaits both Broadbeach and Sandgate, as they do battle in the 2025 TPIL Lawyers QFAW Division 1 Grand Final.
Very little separates these two sides, both finishing the season 12 wins and 4 loses, with Broadbeach finishing minor premiers on percentage. The two sides have met on four occasions this season, with a ledger sitting square at 2 wins each.
Sandgate find themselves in their second Grand Final in as many years, whilst Broadbeach are in unfamiliar territory playing in their first Division 1 decider.
If the ancient footballing proverb, you need to lose one to win one, is anything to go by, then Sandgate will be hoping their experiences in last years Grand Final loss to Sherwood will put them in good stead on Saturday night.
Broadbeach have had the benefit of the week off, after downing Sandgate in the Qualifying final by 23 points so will be fresh heading into the final game of 2025.
19-year-old Chelsea Lee has been a rising star of the competition all season, and was a big reason the Cats booked a spot in the Grand Final after booting three goals in a near best on ground performance in the qualifier.
Fellow young gun Alice Minahan also booted two goals in the qualifying final taking her tally to 19 for the year. With Minahan and Lee among the leading goal kickers in the competition, the young duo will no doubt be a focus of the Hawks to shut down on Saturday.
Whilst Lee and Minahan have provided the Cats with youth and a presence in front of goal, it’s hard to go past the skill and experience of former AFLW star Molly Ritson. Ritson has been a crucial piece of Broadbeach’s success this season, a big game from her in the Grand Final will go a long way to securing a premiership for the Cats.
Sandgate have had to fight their way through to the grand final, coming up against the reigning premiers Sherwood in the preliminary final last weekend.
After taking a three-goal lead into quarter time, the Hawks were kept scoreless for two quarters before a flurry in the final term saw them finish too strong for the Magpies and setup a showdown with Broadbeach.
With the Cats by far the highest scoring side in the competition and have proven on numerous occasions they can score quickly and often, Sandgate won’t be able to afford any lapses in the Grand Final.
19-year-old Chloe Rogers has been Sandgate’s leading goal kicker this season, and booted three goals in the preliminary final to steer her side to victory, and the Hawks will be hoping she can replicate that performance on Saturday.
Sandgate captain Grace Eden continues to be amongst the best players in the competition, and arguably is the most important player on the ground for Sandgate. She will need to be at her best on Saturday if Sandgate are any chance of becoming premiers but will be supported by fellow midfielder and 2024 Division 1 Best and Fairest Febulous Kanth who continues to be in red hot form in 2025.
With a mixture of rising talent and veteran State League footballers lining up across the park for both sides in Saturday’s Grand Final, the 2025 decider is shaping up to be one of the best in recent memory.
Catch the first bounce from 5.30pm at Hickey Park, or live and free across the Official AFL Queensland YouTube channel.