AFL Queensland is excited to announce that Morningside Australian Football Club and Moreton Bay Lions Australian Rules Sport Club have been granted licenses to join the Bond University QAFLW in season 2025.
This expansion will increase the competition to 10 teams, reflecting AFL Queensland’s commitment to supporting the growth of female football in Southeast Queensland.
Morningside, a club with a storied history in the QFAW Division 1 competition, was a 2023 Grand Finalist and Reserves Premiers, and they continued their strong performance by competing in the finals in 2024. Similarly, Moreton Bay AFC, a 2024 finalist, has demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency, winning the 2023 Seniors Premiership and reaching the 2022 Grand Final.
Head of AFL Queensland, Trisha Squires, said both clubs proven track record underscores their readiness to make a significant impact in the Bond University QAFLW.
“Morningside and Moreton Bay have demonstrated outstanding performance and dedication at the QFAW Division 1 level, as well as ensuring they have strong female pathway programs for junior girls to aspire to play,” she said.
“This expansion aligns with our goal to foster the growth of female participation in Australian rules football, which continues to soar year on year in Queensland.”
Morningside AFC Seniors Vice President – Women, Janet Martin said the Panthers were thrilled to be entering the top league in 2025.
“This achievement reflects the hard work we’ve put in to supporting the development of sustainable football programs for women and girls over the last eight years,” she said.
“Since 2018, Morningside has progressed from just one senior women’s team in the QFAW Division 2 competition to the largest female participation club in Queensland.
“We are proud to now have a comprehensive pathway for female football from under 8s through to senior women, supported by our recently launched female football excellence program. The progression to QAFLW in 2025 is a natural and very exciting next step in the journey for female football at the Morningside Panthers.”
Moreton Bay Lions Chairman, Geoff McDonnell, echoed the sentiments.
“Having a complete pathway for our women’s program in 2025 is a major milestone for our club and our community,” he said.
“This is something we are very proud of and we very much look forward to competing with the best female talent in Southeast Queensland in 2025. We eagerly anticipate this challenge.”
Squires also highlighted the expansion was part of a broader strategy to ensure long-term balance and stability in the Bond University QAFLW.
“AFL Queensland is dedicated to maintaining the balance and stability of its premier women’s competition,” she said.
“One key aspect of this is exploring the potential for a QAFLW license in the Gold Coast region for the 2026 season.
“To ensure transparency, we will be reaching out to QFAW clubs based on the Gold Coast and inviting any interested clubs to apply for a QAFLW license for the 2026 season by the end of 2024.
“An additional Gold Coast club in the QAFLW would further support the league’s expansion and the development of female football, especially on the Gold Coast.”
The Bond University QAFLW continues to serve as a crucial talent pathway for players aspiring to advance to the AFLW level.
With the addition of Morningside and Moreton Bay, the competition is set to offer even more opportunities for emerging female athletes to showcase their talent and pursue their football dreams.
