MORNINGSIDE Panthers are having a debut QAFL Women’s season to remember, winning their fourth straight match to open the season with a 28-point victory over University of Queensland at Base Architecture Meadows on Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers moved up to second on the ladder in their first top flight year after Southport knocked off rivals Bond University in the first grand final rematch, and while Morningside is yet to play either of the two heavyweight teams, is cruising along nicely.

On the weekend, the Panthers burst out of the blocks to boot six goals to one in the opening half and lead by 31 points at the main break. While the Red Lionesses hit back in the second half, the home side only kicked a solitary goal to win the period by three points and the Panthers got up, 6.5 (41) to 2.1 (13).

Laura Roy‘s fantastic start to the season for her new club continued, named best afield with 19 disposals, three marks – all contested – five clearances, three tackles, five inside 50s and a goal in the win. Emma McNaughton was the Panthers’ sole multiple goalkicker, converting two majors from 18 touches, two marks and four inside 50s. Isabella Levine was enormous around the coalface, picking up nine clearances from 22 disposals and laying five tackles, while also kicking a goal.

Morninside dominated the inside 50s count 36 to 14 which was ultimately the difference in the two sides, with the Panthers winning the inside battle (143-110 contested possessions) and still finding it on the outside more (69-59). They also had hitout (26-19) and clearance (30-25) positive differentials, though the Red Lionesses took more marks (30-17).

Elka Barnett kicked both of the University of Queensland’s goals, while it was Harriet Knijff who tried to defy the visitors, recording 23 disposals, four marks, seven clearances and 10 tackles in the loss. Equally as fierce was Erin Gilbert who also notched up double-digit tackles, while Eva Sartor (13 disposals, three marks, two clearances and five tackles) tried hard.

Farrandai Hopkins (15 disposals, five clearances and three inside 50s) and Coco Garton (12 disposals, 14 hitouts) were a couple of ex-Queensland representatives who did their part for the side in defeat. Ultimately though, they could not overcome the depth of the Panthers who also had the likes of Lucy McCormick (19 disposals, five marks and five inside 50s) and Simone Arthur (17 disposals, five tackles and two inside 50s) who were named among the best.

UNI OF QUEENSLAND 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 2.1 (13)
MORNINGSIDE 3.1 | 6.2 | 6.3 | 6.5 (41)

GOALS:
Uni of Queensland: E. Barnett 2
Morningside: E. McNaughton 2, S. Arthur, I. Levine, C. McDonnell, L. Roy

BEST:
Uni of Queensland: C. Garton, E. Sartor, S. Snowden, H. Knijff, E. Barnett
Morningside: L. Roy, G. Hewett, L. McCormick, S. Arthur, I. Levine

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Southport accounted for Bond University following a strong first half which saw the Sharks go 22 points up at half-time. It was far more even after that, but the damage was done with Southport coming away with a 9.7 (61) to 5.3 (33) victory at Bond University Oval. Steph O’Brien and Tayla Gregory both booted two goals and were named among the best as Abbey Bevan slotted three for the Bull Sharks.

Aspley got on the board in the 2025 season in convincing style, smashing Maroochydore by 10 goals. The Hornets kicked five goals to nil in the first half and six goals to one in the second to waltz to an 11.4 (70) to 1.4 (10) triumph. Lilu Hung was named best on ground, as Aspley’s stars came to play in the big win.

Cooparoo justified its premiership credentials with a 73-0 smashing of Moreton Bay Lions at Giffin Park. The Kings moved to third on the ladder with a 3-1 record as Chelsea Chesterfield slotted three majors and Emily Harding was named best on ground in the 11.7 (73) to 0.0 (0) victory.

In the other match, Wilston Grange had an even more convincing victory, blitzing competition cellar dwellers Yeronga South Brisbane, 14.11 (95) to 0.0 (0). The win marked the Gorillas’ second for 2025 and quickly saw them rise up to fifth on the table, as Taneka Dhadlie (five goals) and Naomi Celebre (three) were named among the best on the ground.