DESPITE missing their Northern Academy prospects through the Talent League Girls competition, the top flight women’s state leagues in New South Wales and Queensland continue over the weekend for AFL Sydney and QAFL Women’s Round 3 and Round 2 respectively.

AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division:

ROUND 3 FIXTURE:

East Coast Eagles vs. Pennant Hills Demons | Saturday April 18, 12pm @ Bruce Purser Reserve
Sydney University vs. Manly Warringah Wolves | Saturday April 18, 1pm @ Sydney Uni
UNSW-ES Bulldogs vs. North Shore Bombers | Saturday April 18, 2:40pm @ Henson Park
UTS Bats vs. Parramatta Goannas | Saturday April 18, 3:10pm @ Waverley Oval

Bye: St George Dragons

The round kicks off with East Coast Eagles likely to turn around an 0-2 start to the season against the Demons. Both teams will be looking to improve offensively and in transition, but East Coast has the massive experience edge over Pennant Hills. The Demons have had a tough few seasons and will be looking to build throughout 2026.

Manly Warringah Wolves bounced back on the winner’s list last week against the Demons but will ahve a far stiffer test against Sydney Uni in a repeat of last year’s preliminary final. They will look to be more proactive in moving the ball on attack, while the Students are very good at disrupting forward play and then transitioning on instinct themselves. If the Wolves continue the momentum from last week however, watch out.

Another massive clash between two finals-bound teams sees reigning premiers North Shore Bombers head to Henson Park to tackle a reinvigorated UNSW-ES Bulldogs. The Bulldogs smashed the Wolves in a stunning Round 1 performance then did as expected with a huge victory over St George, and now face their stiffest test. The Bombers blitzed the Goannas and then proved too good for the Eagles, with this game also being North Shore’s biggest challenge. The key will be which team can execute better on teh day, and whether or not the Bombers can run and gun down the field with freedom.

UTS Bats have split their two results this far, but should have no problems taking care of business against a developing Goannas outfit. The Bats can play great football when able to move the ball seamlessly from the inside to the outside, and given the experience gap, should be able to do it against Parramatta. If they can, it will likely be a big win, while the Goannas will need to keep the game contested and apply pressure for as long as possible to make it a tough slog for the home team.

QAFL Women’s:

ROUND 2 FIXTURE:

University of Queensland vs. Maroochydore | Saturday April 18, 12pm @ UQ Playing Field
Wilston Grange vs. Broadbeach | Saturday April 18, 2pm @ Hickey Park
Southport vs. Morningside | Saturday April 18, 3pm @ Fankhauser Reserve
Moreton Bay vs. Bond University | Saturday April 18, 3:45pm @ Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex
Coorparoo vs. Aspley | Saturday April 18, 4:45pm @ Giffin Park

A Grand Final rematch headlines Round 2 of the QAFL Women’s competition, with reigning premiers Southport playing host to Morningside over the weekend. Both teams are combing off big wins and should provide quite a contest, though the Sharks are tipped to have a bit too much firepower as has been the case over the last couple of seasons.

Another potential close contest at the other end of the scale is that of University of Queensland and Maroochydore, given both sides will want to respond from disappointing Round 1 defeats. The Red Lionesses went down to Morningside by 59 points, while Maroochydore suffered a massive 110-ponit loss at the hands of the Gorillas. The Roos travel for a second straight week but will be hungry to come away with the four points.

The remaining three games look one-sided based off Round 1 results, with perhaps the Coorparoo-Aspley contest the closest of the trio. Aspley was well beaten by contender Bond University, while Coorparoo obliterated Moreton Bay, but with their Round 1 opponents expected to be at opposite ends of the ladder, the Round 2 clash could paint a better picture of where each side is at going forward.

Bond University and Wilston Grange look destined for massive wins if Round 1 is anything to go by, with the Bull Sharks taking on Moreton Bay and look an even better side than the Kings – who won by 98 points – while the Gorillas clash with newcomers Broadbeach who had a baptism of fire taking on Southport in Round 1.