A stand-alone marquee game on the Easter long weekend will launch the 2021 Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL) competition, with Noosa hosting Wilston Grange at Rococo Oval on April 3rd.
The Tigers’ claws will be out from the get-go, the newly promoted club eager to show their might against the other premier men’s clubs in South East Queensland.
Queensland State Leagues Competition Manager, Matt Bialkowski, said 2021 would see 11 teams vie for the Premiership in what was shaping up to be the biggest year yet for the state’s top competition.
“It’s a great achievement for Noosa to be elevated into the QAFL after coming off the back of consecutive Division 1 Hart Sport Cup Grand Finals in 2019 and 2020,” he said.
“With the QAFL now expanding to 11 teams, it’s going to be very exciting to see the depth of our competition with such a significant geographical spread of our clubs from Noosa to Palm Beach Currumbin.”
“I’m thrilled today to unveil the 2021 fixture, as we countdown to the first bounce of the season on April 3.”
The 2021 season also sees the inclusion of the Redland-Victoria Point Sharks into the QAFL; a merger between the Victoria Point Sharks and Redland Bombers, having competed in the NEAFL since 2011.
The newly formed team will be in action at home in round two hosting Surfers Paradise.
Round 2 will see the 2020 Colts Premiers Palm Beach Currumbin raise their Premiership Flag at their first home game taking on Morningside. While at Hickey Park, Wilston Grange will welcome Maroochydore in five back-to-back State League competition games, including three QAFL and two QAFLW matches.
Morningside seniors and reserves will unveil their 2020 Premiership Flags in round three at home, with the Panthers hosting the Broadbeach Cats in a 2020 grand final rematch.
Traditional rivalry games will be played on ANZAC Round to commemorate ANZAC Day. The blockbuster matches will see Surfers Paradise host Labrador, and Wilson Grange at home to Morningside. While further north, it’ll be a battle of the Sunshine Coast, with Maroochydore taking on Noosa in a twilight game.
Broadbeach will face Surfers Paradise in round five Sunday fixture on the May long weekend.
Round seven will mark Pride Round with all South East Queensland clubs encouraged to join in the celebrations.
Sir Doug Nicholls Round will be celebrated across two weekend; rounds nine and 10.
Mr Bialkowski said marquee matches and themed rounds would make for some fantastic footy in 2021.
“With the largest makeup of the QAFL competition that we’ve seen in recent years, our 11 teams will compete over an 18 game home and away season,” he said.
“The finals structure will see the top 6 competing over 4 weekends, culminating in a grand final on Sept 18th.”
“The profile of the QAFL continues to rise and we want to encourage people to come along to the games and support their local clubs.”
“But if you can’t get to the match, you can still catch all of the action. All QAFL games are recorded and uploaded to the QAFL Vimeo page for the public to view, and one ‘match of the round’ is live streamed every week in the QAFL.”
2021 QAFL OFFICIAL FIXTURE
*Please note; times and venues are subject to change.
