The AFL Townsville 2022 Townsville Renault Senior Women’s Cup and Townsville RMS Men’s Premiership and Reserves season kicks off this Saturday, March 26.
Tipped as the March of the Round, the Curra Swans take on the Thuringowa Bulldogs in the Townsville RMS Men’s Premiership after the two finished first and second on the ladder in 2021.
“After back to back Grand Final appearances, returning Curra Coach, Jamie Fogg, will be keen to see his team get off to a positive start against perennial finalist Thuringowa,” said AFL Townsville Competition Manager, Dan Watts.
“Darren Lange is back at the helm of the Thuringowa Bulldogs, and he too who will no doubt be looking to set the tone for a successful season with a win in Round One.”
The Townsville Renault Senior Women’s Cup Match will see the reigning Premiers Curra Swans also face off against the Thuringowa Bulldogs.
“Curra Swans have had a large change in personnel from last year’s Grand Final team but have retained Coach Meg Greenland, who was recently appointed as a North Queensland Assistant Coach,” said Watts.
“The Bulldogs, under new Head Coach Cath Loveday, showed a lot of improvement in the second half of last year and boast some promising young talent.
“At the other end of town, Northern Beaches Suns take on the University Hawks in the senior men’s. The Suns have last years reserves coach Rod Drew stepping up to guide the senior team this season.
“The Hawks are also boasting a new coach from Victoria; Gareth Lawson, and have also recruited some new faces which will be exciting to see. Both these teams will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2021 season.”
The Townsville Renault Senior Women’s Cup match will see Northern Beaches Suns against the University Hawks, with the latter returning from an impressive performance at the Airlie Beach pre-season competition last weekend.
“This looms as an interesting season, as there has been a lot of changes to the teams from last year,” said Watts.
“In the Townsville RMS Men’s Premiership, the Swans and Bulldogs have very much been going under the radar and will be looking to let their football do the talking.
“I am looking forward to seeing what the Townsville Renault Senior Women’s Cup will bring as we have new talent to Townsville along with girls from the junior ranks stepping up.
Watts said he was also keen to praise the hardworking volunteers at all AFL Townsville clubs after two tough seasons impacted by COVID.
The Junior/Youth competition will start after the Easter break on April 23rd.
Rounds one to five of the senior competitions have already been released with the remining fixture to come shortly as fixtures had to be amended to cater for some venue unavailability.
Senior Fixtures can be found here – https://www.playhq.com/afl/org/afl-townsville/2022/c4851aaa
Townsville RMS Men’s Premiership
Curra Swans vs Thuringowa Bulldogs – Muldoon Oval – 3:15pm
Northern Beaches Suns vs University Hawks – Northshore Oval (the Green) – 3:15pm
Townsville Renault Senior Women’s Cup
Curra Swans vs Thuringowa Bulldogs – Muldoon Oval – 1:45pm
Northern Beaches Suns vs University Hawks – Northshore Oval (the Green) – 1:45pm
Townsville Reserves (Men)
Curra Swans vs Thuringowa Bulldogs – Muldoon Oval – 12pm
Northern Beaches Suns vs University Hawks – Northshore Oval (the Green) – 12:00pm
Garbutt Magpies and Hermit Park Tigers both have a bye this week.
