MAROOCHYDORE is on the board in the 2025 QAFL Women’s season following a 64-point belting of fellow winless side Yeronga South Brisbane, as the competition returned for Round 3 over the weekend. In one of two Anzac Day clashes, Maroochydore silenced the home crowd at Leyshon Park to have 26 scoring shots to two, albeit in an inaccurate 9.17 (71) to 1.1 (7) display.

Wet weather throughout south-east Queensland made all action across the weekend tricky, though the Roos always looked in control against the Devils. Slotting six goals to nil in the opening half, Maroochydore quickly established a 41-point advantage by the main break. Yeronga finally got on the board in the third term thanks to Racquelle Sutton, though the celebrations were few and far between.

In the end, Maroochydore re-established its control through the fourth term to kick the only two goals of that quarter. While the second half showed signs of inaccuracy (3.11 compared to 6.6 in the first half), the green and gold never looked like losing and the win pushed them up to seventh on the table, leapfrogging Aspley, as well as remaining clear of Moreton Bay and Yeronga South Brisbane.

Tasmanian Amy Bissett turned it on in the clash, booting 4.2 from 17 disposals, three marks and two inside 50s, pairing well in attack alongside Abbey Rankin (3.2 from 17 disposals, two marks, three clearances and three tackles).

Queensland state Under 18s representative Poppy Tindal (18 disposals, three marks, five tackles) was strong with the over-ager the equal leading ball-winner with Jessica Whitehouse. Glenelg recruit Demi McCarthy continued to also show her worth, finishing with 16 disposals, three marks, three tackles and four inside 50s, while youngster Lataya De Pauw had her chances with four behinds from 14 touches.

Ebony Panoho (15 disposals, two marks and five tackles) was staunch in defence, while Crisstal Povis (15 disposals – 13 contested – two clearances and three tackles) cracked in. Thyra Leanne Tavil and Lily Clutton were also among the best Devils in defeat.

YERONGA SOUTH BRISBANE 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 (7)
MAROOCHYDORE ROOS 5.3 | 6.6 | 7.12 | 9.17 (71)

GOALS:
Yeronga: R. Sutton
Maroochydore: A. Bissett 2, A. Rankin 3, L. Gilliland, S. Langmaid

BEST:
Yeronga: T. Tavil, C. Povis, I. Turner, L. Clutton, R. Sutton
Maroochydore: A. Bissett, R. Beuzeville, A. Rankin, M. Marshall, L. Massie

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Morningside’s dream start to its first QAFL Women’s season continued with a third straight win, this time knocking off Wilston Grange to sit only behind the big two of Southport and Bond University. The Saints ground out a 3.4 (22) to 1.9 (15) victory with Laura Roy again best on ground.

Southport’s dominant season rolled out by taking care of Aspley by 62 points at Graham Road with the Sharks booting nine of their 12 goals in the second and fourth terms. Despite missing a host of young guns due to Gold Coast Suns Academy’s match, it was Olivia Meagher and Caitlin Miller – best known for their midfield traits – who combined for a ridiculous 10 goals with six and four respectively in the win.

Bond University had it a little tougher to remain undefeated when it got past Coorparoo in a 19-point result. The Bull Sharks won 4.4 (28) to 1.3 (9) as Abbey Bevan booted three goals and Skye White was named best-on, while Enah Desic was the standout for the Kings in a hard-fought defeat.

In the other remaining match, University of Queensland moved into the top four with its second win of the season, destroying newcomers Moreton Bay by 62 points. The Red Lionesses had 21 scoring shots to four in the 9.12 (66) to 0.4 (4) win as Farrandai Hopkins starred and Elka Barnett booted a match-high three goals.