The fixture for the 2022 Bond University QAFLW Premiership season has dropped, with Round One commencing on Saturday March 26th.
Eight clubs will contest the 2022 Flag, allowing for 14 matches for each team over a 16-round-home-and-away fixture.
Finals will see the top four play over a three-week series, with the Grand Final on Sunday 7th August.
2022 sees the inclusion of the Southport Sharks, after being elevated to the premier women’s competition at the end of Season 2021.
Coolangatta AFC have been granted a temporary leave of absence from the QAFLW this year to re-build their list and reposition their women’s program. They are aiming to participate in the QFAW Division One competition this season.
2022 highlights include the Grand Final rematch between University of Queensland and Bond University and the unfurling the 2021 Premiership flag at UQ in Round Two; a double header between Aspley and Wilston Grange in the QAFL and QAFLW on April 2nd and a standalone Gold Coast derby in Round 14 in support of the inaugural NQ vs SQ Women’s Representative Clash.
Pride Round will be celebrated in Round 16 with all eight clubs coming together to play their games in a blockbuster fixture at Yeronga AFC.
Competition Lead ‑ SEQ Seniors & State Leagues, Mitch Simpson, said he was excited to see the competition’s standard lift year on year and anticipated the bar to be raised again in 2022.
“With the Bond University QAFLW competition having greater alignment with the QAFL this season, we will see more blockbuster state league matches and double headers which is exciting for both competitions,” he said.
“The ability to showcase the Bond University and Southport Gold Coast Derby across the NQ v SQ representative weekend is a major feature of the calendar and will further highlight the female talent pathway across the state.”
The University of Queensland made history last year when they made the 2021 Bond University QAFLW Grand Final, and their maiden finals appearance didn’t disappoint.
Premiership player Isobel Hartog said they were well-prepared to defend their 2021 title.
“Key to us is staying humble. We come into the season with no expectations other than to play our best footy and get wins on the board,” she said.
“If you talk to (captain) Megan Hunt – she is very pumped and excited to try and make it back-to-back flags!”
For new kids on the QAFLW block, Southport Sharks 2021 Co-Captain Hannah Davies said the team were excited to be part of a legacy being built at the Sharks.
“We’ve gone from being nobodies to making our way to the QAFLW within three years of having a senior women’s team so it’s a really exciting time for the club,” she said.
“We’re only going to keep growing and growing. We started our preseason in November and each week the intensity keeps building.”
Bond University Executive Director of Sport, Garry Nucifora, said Bond University were thrilled to be back on board as the competition sponsor.
“Bond University enters its seventh year as naming rights sponsor of the QAFLW and is proud to be a staunch supporter of women’s’ AFL in Queensland,” he said.
“The excitement and growth surrounding the sport in the state is commensurate with what has occurred in the university’s highly successful AFL women’s program.
“The Bond University QAFLW Competition provides talented female players with high calibre fixtures the envy of similar structures in the southern states.
“AFL Queensland should take great credit for its commitment to, and management of, this wonderful competition.
“All involved look forward to another wonderful QAFLW season in 2022!”
New Head Coaches in 2022 include Lexia Edwards (Yeronga), Mark Wilkin (Wilston Grange) and Rebecca Randazzo (Coorparoo).
While John Taylor (Aspley), Steve Moody and Nick Smith (Maroochydore), Luke Mansbridge (Bond) and Ross Clayfield (UQ) are all back on board.
Ex. AFL player Ryan Davis (West Coast Eagles / Gold Coast SUNS) and inaugural Senior Women’s Coach at Southport will lead the Sharks in their first year in the QAFLW, after securing back-to-back QFAW Division 1 Premierships in 2020/21.
2022 Bond University QAFLW OFFICIAL FIXTURE (4)
