By Ant Wingard
Bond University v Yeronga
2:00pm, Saturday April 6
Bond University Oval
Last time they met
R16, 2018: Bond University 5.1 (31) def. by Yeronga 9.3 (57) at Bond University.
Summary
Sam Virgo is set to play her first competitive game for Yeronga since their 2017 Bond University QAFLW Premiership win this weekend when the Devils travel to face Bond University.
Virgo is one of many Devils named to face the Bullsharks to usher in the new QAFLW season – a side Yeronga has enjoyed continual success against in the competition.
History between the two sides heavily favours the red and black, who remain undefeated against Bond University in the two contests between the two sides since the latter promotion to the premier state competition in 2018.
The clash between the two sides could help shape their respective seasons early in the fray as a win could lay the foundations after both missed out on a finals berth in 2018 albeit by percentage.
For the Bullsharks, former Devils pair Georgia Brehmer and Kalinda Howarth, who crossed teams over the summer, will make their club debuts while Molly Ritson will also play her first game in the navy and yellow for the first time since 2017.
Game Changer
Bond University: Tamsin Perry oozes potential and could prove to be a difference maker in this contest. The crafty outside midfielder thrives in space but has found a knack around the contest with her relentless tackling.
Rising Star Watch
Yeronga: After relocating from Townsville, Maddison Goodwin will make her QAFLW debut for the Devils in the clash and will be deployed in defence by Devils coach Aaron Russell. Goodwin, the latest sportsperson in a family which includes an NBL basketballer and 1992 Olympic representative, made a name for herself as a key pillar of the Queensland team at the NAB Under 18 National Championships.
Coorparoo v Aspley
4:45pm, Saturday April 6
Giffin Park
Last time they met
N/A.
Summary
For the third straight season, the reigning QFAW Division 1 Premier has been promoted to the QAFLW with Aspley set to make their competition debut this weekend.
The task for the Hornets though, could be the most formidable initiation imaginable with many expecting the Kings to once again finding themselves at the pointy end of the ladder.
Despite their talented roster, Coorparoo will find themselves without a number of their top-end players through either high performance programs or team captain Cleo Davis’ wedding.
The absence of a number of key players in the Kings’ defensive five may play into the hands of Aspley spearhead Michaela Campbell, who booted 13 goals in her 13 games for Wilston Grange last term.
Aspley have continued to back the Hornets’ youth by building around their established Division 1 core and promoting a number of talented youngsters from their Under 17 program. If that youth can match it with the Kings’ experience, the contest could get interesting.
Game Changer
Coorparoo: Kayla Geddes maybe just the most prolific outside runner in the competition. After narrowly missing out on a place on the Brisbane Lions AFL Women’s list last October’s draft, Geddes will be eager to show her speed once again this season.
Rising Star
Aspley: The Hornets boast up to ten players on their list who have been promoted to their list from their youth girls program and one who could make an immediate impact at QAFLW level this weekend is Lucy Pengelly. Pengelly, a Brisbane Lions Academy member, proved herself at the lower level and now, her transition could be a big boost for the Hornets.
Coolangatta Tweed v Maroochydore
4:45pm, Saturday April 6
Exxim Oval
Last time they met
Round 9, 2018: Coolangatta Tweed 6.6 (42) def. Maroochydore 3.8 (26) at Exxim Oval.
Summary
Coolangatta Tweed are hoping a refreshing over the summer can help put an end to their injury-plagued run to end the 2018 QAFLW season.
The Bluebirds lost in their remaining five home and away games before falling once again in the first week of the finals but their showdown at home against Maroochydore.
The side enter Round 1 with a clean bill of heath will field boom recruit Amy Fortescue from the Northern Rivers competition in a forward line that still contains Lauren James and Collingwood AFLW spearhead Jordan Membrey.
For Maroochydore, the contest represents a chance to put their one-win 2018 season behind them.
And following the proclamation from Roos head coach Stu Jackson that they hope to win over six games this year, the weekend’s action is the perfect opportunity to notch their first.
If they were to do so, it’d be done without a number of their key inclusions over the summer which include Brisbane Lions defender Shannon Campbell and Lions Academy members Lily Postlethwaite and Belle Dawes, who will instead play an academy game at Yeronga on Saturday.
Game Changer
Maroochydore: Roos onballer Kate Surman emerged early in 2018 as one of the competition’s most damaging midfielders despite her limited experience playing football. Now in her third season with the Roos, the 2018 QAFLW team of the year member has the opportunity to take her game to another level with Maroochydore’s rebuffed line-up.
Rising Star
Coolangatta: At 21-years-old, Bluebirds’ utility Holly Mirfield remains one of the most promising talents in the QAFLW. Now with the experience of playing with the Gold Coast SUNS in the Winter Series, Mirfield will be integral to the Bluebirds’ line-up this year given her versatility across the field.
University of Queensland v Wilston Grange
4:45pm, Saturday April 6
Griffith University Campus Oval 2
Last time they met
Round 14, 2018: Wilston Grange 4.2 (26) def. by University of Queensland 6.8 (44) at Hickey Park.
Summary
Wilston Grange remain the great unknown ahead of the 2019 Bond University QAFLW, but we could find out several answers following their opening round clash with preliminary finalists University of Queensland.
With several personnel changes to the squad including a number of premiership players and the premiership coach, any gauge on the Gorillas will be difficult until the ball is bounced at Griffith University.
And while a sizeable portion of their team remains from last season, the Gorillas will unveil their new-look line-up under the helm of Rod Podbury.
The Red Lions will too play their first game under a new coach, Lee Whitehorn, who sadi despite limited match preparation, the Red Lions would be ready to go come game time.
“Two, maybe three training sessions that have been cancelled because of weather,” Whitehorn said ahead of the clash.
“Those things haven’t been ideal, but we’ve put in plenty of work, really based around ball work. The girls have had plenty of touch.
“We’re really looking forward to round one this weekend.”
Game Changer
Wilston Grange: This time last year, Catherine Svarc remained a relatively unknown talent at Hickey Park but now the reliable defender is an integral part of the Gorillas’ team. As the makeup of the line-up changes, more responsibility will be placed on Svarc; a player who has already earned the praise of Gorillas’ head coach Rod Podbury in the lead up to the season.
Rising Star
University of Queensland: Bullocking midfielder Maria Moloney has been earmarked as the type of player that can take the next step in 2019 by new coach Lee Whitehorm. With nearly all of the Red Lions’ AFLW contingent unnamed for the contest with the exception of Megan Hunt, Moloney has an opportunity to cement herself in the midfield.
