BOND University has stunned back-to-back premier Southport to claim the 2026 QAFL Women’s flag, running out 6.4 (40) to 3.4 (22) winners at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday and denying the Sharks an unprecedented three-peat.

Shannon Nolan was imperious throughout, collecting 26 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances to claim the Best on Ground Medal, while a dominant first half set up the Bull Sharks’ first flag since 2023.

Bond University made its intentions clear inside the opening minute, kicking truly to be off and racing before Southport had settled. The visitors continued to dominate territory across the first term, restricting the Sharks to a solitary behind and taking a 12-point lead into the first change.

The margin stretched further in the second quarter as the Bull Sharks pushed out to as much as 17 points, with Tayla Christensen the lone bright spot for Southport, trading goals either side of the Bond University surge. Christensen’s second major trimmed the deficit back to 11 points at half-time, with the score reading 4.0 (24) to 2.1 (13).

Southport could not find a way through after the main break. Bond University controlled the third quarter almost entirely, adding 1.2 (8) while holding the Sharks to a single behind, and the writing was on the wall by the final change with the margin out to 18 points, 5.2 (32) to 2.2 (14).

The last quarter followed a similar pattern, with the Bull Sharks adding another goal through the final term before Scarlett Featherstone slotted a consolation major for Southport in the shadows of full-time. Across the final two quarters, Bond University kicked 2.4 (16) to Southport’s 1.3 (11), a period that reflected the Bull Sharks’ complete territorial control for most of the afternoon.

The disparity in the middle told the story of the contest. Bond University won the inside-50 count 35-20 and dominated hitouts 43-28, with Skye White‘s 30 hitouts giving the Bull Sharks first use at stoppages. Southport actually shaded the contested marking (11 to seven) and finished with fewer total disposals by only 22 (182 to 204), but could not convert its share of the ball into scoreboard pressure, managing just three goals from 20 forward-half entries.

Nolan’s medal-winning performance was backed up by Evy Reeves, who complemented her captain’s midfield partner with 23 disposals, five clearances and a goal. Annabelle Foat was influential at the coalface with six clearances and eight tackles, while White’s ruck dominance underpinned the Bull Sharks’ first-use advantage all afternoon. Charlotte Taylor added a goal and 13 disposals.

For Southport, Steph O’Brien was the Sharks’ best on a difficult day, gathering 24 disposals and six clearances in a losing side. Olivia Meagher was prolific in defence with 20 disposals and eight tackles, while captain Rianna Schipp (14 disposals, four clearances) and Ella Maurer (12 disposals, four clearances) continued to work hard through the middle without the same supply their midfield had enjoyed throughout the home-and-away season. Giselle Davies battled valiantly in the ruck, finishing with 19 hitouts and seven tackles.

The result completes a remarkable turnaround for Bond University, who fell to Southport by 35 points in the corresponding 2024 decider.

SOUTHPORT 0.1 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 3.4 (22)
BOND UNIVERSITY 2.0 | 4.0 | 5.2 | 6.4 (40)

GOALS:
Southport: T. Christensen 2, S. Featherstone
Bond University: E. Reeves, C. Taylor, M. Brosnan-Ball, C. Adamson, K. Blattman, A. Ella

RMC BEST:
Southport: S. O’Brien, O. Meagher, R. Schipp, E. Maurer, S. Burnham
Bond University: S. Nolan, E. Reeves, A. Foat, S. White, C. Taylor

Best on Ground Medal: Shannon Nolan (Bond University)