MORNINGSIDE Panthers’ first season in the top flight Queensland women’s football has started brightly after the side knocked off Aspley Hornets to make it 2-0 in 2025. The Panthers rolled fellow QAFL Women’s newcomers Moreton Bay Lions in Round 1, and made it two from two with a low-scoring, hard-fought 4.0 (24) to 1.3 (9) victory over the Hornets in brutal wet conditions.

Aspley has been close yet not quite on the premiership dais the past couple of seasons with back-to-back top three finishes including a grand final appearance in 2023. However with plenty of changes since then, the Hornets – who still have plenty of quality players on the list – have not been able to rekindle their form of past seasons to start the new year.

In a game that was a slog between the arcs due to the weather, the sides combined for just 33 inside 50s, with Morningside marginally ahead in that area (20-13), while producing an elite defensive display of 109 tackles to 99 in tough conditions. There was no true winner around the stoppages with Aspley marginally ahead in hitouts (41-36) but clearances were 26 apiece in the Round 2 match.

Both sides kicked a goal in the first term, but it was tough going if you were an Aspley forward after that, only adding two behinds to the team score across the final three quarters, and they both came in the last term. Morningside was not that much better, though a 2.0 second term created some separation which was enough to secure the 15-point victory at Jack Esplen Oval.

The win marked Morningside’s first at its homeground, with four individual goalkickers including captain Courtney McDonnell and the Roy sisters – Laura and Gracie – with Sienna Graham converting the other. With the top draft talent missing from Round 2 due to Academy trials and the Under 16s Championships, it gave the opportunity for others to stand up.

For Morningside, that was Isabella Levina who racked up 29 disposals, four clearances and seven tackles, while Laura Roy (28 disposals, seven clearances and 13 tackles) was phenomenal around the ball. Gracie Roy (three contested marks among four from 17 disposals and seven tackles) was just as good, while Teresa Dixon battled hard through the ruck with 24 hitouts.

Aspley looked to the reliable firm with Lucy Pengelly (16 disposals, five marks, seven tackles and one inside 50) and Holly O’Flaherty (20 disposals, three clearances, seven tackles and two inside 50s. Jesse McMillan spent the day attached to an opponent, laying a ridiculous 23 tackles to go with 18 touchhes and three clearances around the coalface, while Emma MacDonald won 30 hitouts from 10 disposals and three tackles. Lucia Liessi‘s 23 disposals were a team-high, while Jasmine Kawa had five clearances from 22 disposals and seven tackles.

MORNINGSIDE 1.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 4.0 (24)
ASPLEY 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.3 (9)

GOALS:
Morningside: S. Graham, C. McDonnell, G. Roy, L. Roy
Aspley: R. Vetter

BEST:
Morningside: G. Lwin, K. McKinless, A. Blyton, L. Roy, I. Levine
Aspley: L. Pengelly, H. O’Flaherty, J. McMillan, R. Vetter, L. Hung

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Southport overcame the loss of its stack of AFLW Draft prospects to put Maroochydore to the sword in a 112-point win. It was not quite the 119-point belting of week one, but was still mighty impressive for the Sharks. Olivia Meagher and Caitlin Miller each booted four goals in the 18.16 (124) to 2.0 (12) victory with Megan Hunt named best-on by the coaches.

In a similar result, Bond University made light work of Moreton Bay, posting a 74-point victory over the Lions in the losing side’s first road trip of season 2025. The reigning runners-up were helped by recruit Kendra Blattman who slotted four goals in the victory, while Shannon Nolan and Jasmyn Davidson were both among the best in the 13.6 (84) to 1.4 (10) win.

A five goals to one second term secured the points for University of Queensland against Yeronga South Brisbane, coming away with an 11.10 (76) to 2.1 (13) victory. Elka Barnett booted three majors with Harriet Knijff and Coco Garton impressive for the Red Lionesses, while Farrandai Hopkins also stood up in the win.

In the last match of the round, Coorparoo ground out a 13-point win over Wilston Grange at Hickey Park, kicking two goals in the third term to create some separation. In the end the Kings got up 4.4 (28) to 2.3 (15) in a challenging day for both sides. Tilayna Nissen was the sole multiple goalkicker and named best-on for the kings, while Emily Bleney (Coorparoo) and Jasmin Rivers (Wilston Grange) impressed for their respective sides.