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BROADBEACH v SOUTHPORT 5.45pm Neptune Homes Oval
The Broadbeach Cats are the new team in the Bond University QAFLW competition in 2026 and have been rewarded with a home fixture against the dominant reigning premier. No doubt a daunting task and this long-established club on the Men's side has worked solidly to prepare for this opportunity. A couple of names to note include Alicia Withers (their 2024 Joy Johnson Club Champion), Jasmine Single (from Perth FC and Bond University) and Riley Perrett.
The Southport Sharks were a dominant force in 2025 losing only the one match before clinching a well-deserved premiership. Expect the premiers have not been lying down over the summer and despite losing some players have recruited strongly to be a force again this year.
BOND UNIVERSITY v ASPLEY 2pm Bond University Oval
An intriguing clash here with Bond University comfortably accounting for Aspley in their previous two meetings at this venue including a qualifying final last year. The Bull Sharks would have been disappointed with their finals exit in 2025 and like a number of teams are naturally keen to close the gap on Southport. Retaining a core group of quality players including 2025 Emma Zielke Medallist Shannon Nolan, 2025 leading goalkicker Kendra Blattman and defensive stalwart Skye White are big positives.
On the other hand Aspley have opened the welcome mat to a number of new players to strengthen their roster and turn recent fortunes around against the power clubs: Ella Smith (GC Suns), Jess Day (All-Australian, Qld rep and Brisbane Lions Academy), Taya Parker (Tasmania and league best and fairest there), Lilli Williams (Vice-Captain Longford FC, Tasmania), Evie Sealey (Limecoast Football league in SA), Tonya Botherway (Captain North Tigers in NZ), Jarrah Altschwager (SA Country and Eva Downie (Essendon VFLW) to name just a few. However, with a number of big names missing for Round 1, the Hornets depth will get a solid test to kick things off.
MORETON BAY v COORPAROO 3pm Red Rooster Park
Moreton Bay continue to grow and will be keen to improve on last years inaugural compilation of three wins. North Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast is an accelerated growth corridor and the Lions are well placed to capitalise. Speaking to their key playmaker Breanna-Rose White during the week, the club has been active and they are looking for steady improvement this season. Jess Davy will shoulder even more load (who thought that possible?) with co-coaching duties and Todd Spackman will be moving the magnets from the sidelines. Not an easy first-up assignment this week against one of the stronger clubs that just missed out on the grand final in 2025.
Coorparoo also had bragging rights for being the only team to inflict a defeat on Southport albeit in atrocious conditions at Giffin Park – but they did it. Like Aspley they too have been actively recruiting - welcoming Georgia Wyett and Dakota Villiva (both from Kew in VAFA) and the skilful Grace Osbourne (Qld rep and spent a year with Wilston Grange). Significantly, Jacinta Baldwick returns after two years on the Brisbane Lions list.
UNIVERSITY OF QLD v MORNINGSIDE 2pm Base Architecture Meadows
UQ finished 2025 a couple of games outside the top six with their highlight being a big victory at home over Bond University early in the season. The Red Lionesses illustrated what they are capable of, but as usual have to cope with the transient nature of student life and we await with anticipation the composition of their side in 2026.
Morningside only lost three matches in their first QAFLW season and yes, they were all to the same team – Southport. The Panthers were no match for the Sharks during the finals series but at least they deservedly took their place on Grand Final day. Always a force to be reckoned with and like a couple of clubs mentioned above, Morningside will have worked hard again to close the gap on their conquerors and cannot wait to take that extra step. Coco Garton (UQ), Katie Day (ASP) and Indiana Williams (Bris Lions) being targeted acquisitions for 2026.
WILSTON GRANGE v MAROOCHYDORE 4-45pm Hickey Park
Wilston Grange took a massive leap to participate in finals in 2025 and they too recorded a win over Bond University along the way to their 10 wins for the season. With the additions of Deontae Sheppard-Greenoff (Cairns leading goalkicker), Nelly Anu (Cairns B&F, Palmerston and GC Academy) and Zimmorlei Farquharson (Bris Lions & Western Bulldogs), a dash of “x-factor” is added to the list. Not to mention that Zimra Hussain also returns and is a ball magnet. A few more wins and moving rungs up the ladder is definitely on the agenda at Hickey Park.
Like Moreton Bay, Maroochydore recorded three wins in 2025 and enjoyed some close battles with teams around them. An overhaul of the football program during the break has breathed a new lease of life into the group and revered coach Steve Moody takes the reigns for 2026. Gabi Simpson (UQ & gun-netballer) joins the fold, SJ O’Grady returns to senior football, and running machine Taya Oliver has moved north after 2 years with the GC Suns. The Roos have also been scouting wide on the Sunshine Coast and securing the best talent available to give the ‘green machine’ the best chance of creating waves this season.