THE QAFLW finals series intensifies on Saturday, with a direct path to the Grand Final on offer for either Southport or Coorparoo in the qualifying final. Bond University and Morningside then meet in a do-or-die semi-final, where the winner earns a preliminary-final date with the qualifying-final loser and the defeated side sees its campaign end.

QAFL Women’s

SEMI-FINALS FIXTURE:

Southport vs. Coorparoo | Qualifying Final | Saturday August 22, 2:00pm @ Fankhauser Reserve
Bond University vs. Morningside | Semi Final | Saturday August 22, 3:45pm @ Bond University Oval

The qualifying final at Fankhauser Reserve pits minor premiers Southport against second-placed Coorparoo, with the winner to progress directly to the Grand Final. The Sharks have been the benchmark throughout 2026 and are gunning for a three-peat. These sides split the results between one another this season, with the Kings getting up in the first encounter back in Round 5 by 13 points at Giffin Park, before the Sharks returned fire in a hard-fought 32-point win at Fankhauser Reserve.

Southport’s engine room is led by Stephanie O’Brien and Ella Maurer, while Sienna Clinch gives the Sharks another point of difference through the ruck. Coorparoo is more than capable of challenging, especially if Grace Roberts-White and Ayla Fetahagic can turn the midfield battle in the Kings’ favour. The task for Coorparoo is limiting Southport’s transition and denying the Sharks the repeat inside-50 entries which have been central to their dominant season. It looms as a high-quality contest, but Southport’s home-ground advantage and body of work make the Sharks favourites to book a grand final berth. Southport by 22 points.

The second semi-final sees Bond University host Morningside in a clash that ends one side’s season. Both teams were emphatic elimination-final winners last week, with the Bull Sharks controlling territory to beat Aspley by 38 points and the Panthers using a dominant clearance advantage to defeat Wilston Grange by 57. The contrast in styles makes for a fascinating contest: Bond will look to own field position, while Morningside will aim to win the stoppage battle and feed its forward half.

Bond University has the home ground and a narrow four-point victory over Morningside in their Round 4 encounter to draw on, having stormed home with three unanswered final-quarter goals on that occasion. Evy Reeves and Shannon Nolan were outstanding in last week’s win, while Skye White can influence the contest at both ruck contests and around the ground.

Morningside will counter with the class of National Draft Combine invitee Zoe Petrides, who produced 25 disposals, six clearances, seven inside 50s and a goal against Wilston Grange. Stella Scott and Isabella Levine combined for 52 disposals in the same match, while fellow Combine invitee Ella Gibson shapes as a crucial player in the ruck. It is a matchup with little between the sides, but Bond’s ability to generate sustained territory and its home ground should give the Bull Sharks a narrow edge. Bond University by eight points.

For Southport and Coorparoo, the equation is clear: win and prepare for the Grand Final, lose and face the Bond University-Morningside winner in a preliminary final. For the semi-final combatants, there is no second chance – only a place in the final three or the end of season 2026.