{"id":212138,"date":"2026-04-14T10:18:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T00:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=212138"},"modified":"2026-04-14T10:18:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T00:18:06","slug":"around-the-country-contenders-flex-muscles-in-qaflw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2026\/04\/14\/around-the-country-contenders-flex-muscles-in-qaflw\/","title":{"rendered":"Around the Country: Contenders flex muscles in QAFLW"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>IN THE first of a new series taking a look around the country and some of the players catching the eye across the eastern seaboard, there were some absolute smashings in each of the competitions, with the QAFL Women&#8217;s boasting a 374-point combined difference between the winners and losers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>QUEENSLAND:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>QAFL Women&#8217;s: Round 1<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a one-sided round of action as the QAFL Women&#8217;s competition kicked off, with the closest game being 59 points and the highest losing team&#8217;s score being 3.4 (22). From a combined five games, the losing teams booted 5.10 (40) to a whopping 60.54 (414) with the usual suspects in Southport, Bond University, Morningside and Coorparoo all amongst the victors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a tough introduction for new club Broadbeach, as the Cats suffered a 98-point loss to the reigning premiers, going down 13.21 (99) to 0.1 (1). The Sharks travelled to Kombumerri Park and took control from the outset, as <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"81997\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/giselle-davies\/\" target=\"_blank\">Giselle Davies<\/a> (four goals) and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"30899\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/olivia-meagher\/\" target=\"_blank\">Olivia Meagher<\/a> (three did a bulk of the damage. Cats skipper Ariana Reilly tried hard all game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bond University flexed its muscles over Aspley in front of a home crowd, beating the Hornets 12.5 (77) to 1.2 (8). New recruit <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"64786\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/tegan-williams\/\" target=\"_blank\">Tegan Williams<\/a> (four goals) starred in the win, with the likes of <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"88537\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/isabella-iverach\/\" target=\"_blank\">Isabella Iverach<\/a> and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"131732\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/kendra-blattman\/\" target=\"_blank\">Kendra Blattman<\/a> also prominent on the scoresheet. <strong>Jessica Stallard <\/strong>kicked off her 2026 campaign with Aspley&#8217;s sole major in the contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Morningside also enjoyed a nice big win, defeating University of Queensland, 10.7 (67) to 1.2 (8) on the road. <strong>Mackenzie Sleep<\/strong> (three goals) and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"139123\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/indiana-williams\/\" target=\"_blank\">Indiana Williams<\/a> (two) were both prominent, while <strong>Sophie Balcombe<\/strong> was named best-on for her side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Coorparoo left little mercy for Moreton Bay in the two sides&#8217; clash, storming past the Lions in a 98-point thrashing. The Blues kicked 14.15 (99) to 0.1 (1) in the clash at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex. <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"148135\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/chelsea-chesterfield\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chelsea Chesterfield<\/a> finished with three goals, while <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"132527\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/grace-roberts-white\/\" target=\"_blank\">Grace Roberts-White<\/a> picked up from where she left off in 2025 with a strong first-up performance for the Blues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The other game in Round 1 was the biggest margin of the lot with Wilston Grange posting a 110-point victory over Maroochydore, 21.6 (132) to 3.4 (22). Former AFLW forward <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"54214\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/zimmorlei-farquharson\/\" target=\"_blank\">Zimmorlei Farquharson<\/a> slammed home six goals in the massive win, with <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"139286\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/kaiya-hides\/\" target=\"_blank\">Kaiya Hides<\/a> and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"141387\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/tshinta-kendall\/\" target=\"_blank\">Tshinta Kendall<\/a> each kicking three. Former Australian netballer <strong>Gabi Simpson<\/strong> was named best-on for the losing team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>NEW SOUTH WALES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>AFL Sydney Women&#8217;s Premier Division: Round 2<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In lieu of a raft of Swans and Giants Academy members, AFL Sydney&#8217;s top women&#8217;s sides went in testing some of their depth, but there was little doubt about the key contenders in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Manly Warringah Wolves bounced back from a sheepish showing against UNSW-ES Bulldogs last week to destroy reigning wooden spooners Pennant Hills Demons, 129-0. Dominant goalkicker <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"43029\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/isabella-rudolph\/\" target=\"_blank\">Isabella Rudolph<\/a> slammed home half a dozen goals as recruit <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"54293\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/bella-clarke\/\" target=\"_blank\">Bella Clarke<\/a> booted four in the win and was named best afield amongst a stacked side of contributors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>North Shore Bombers were able to shake off a first quarter challenge from East Coast Eagles to come away with a 47-point victory at Gore Hill Oval as the red and black unveiled their premiership flag from 2025. Matilda Eder booted three majors, while <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"131723\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/lucy-yates\/\" target=\"_blank\">Lucy Yates<\/a> was named best afield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last year&#8217;s grand finalists Sydney University ground out a hard-fought win over UTS Bats at Waverley Oval, kicking an inaccurate 4.10 (34) but doing enough to knock off the home side by 21 points. <strong>Sophie Andreacchio<\/strong> was her side&#8217;s sole multiple goalkicker, while stars such as <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"131738\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/emma-juneja\/\" target=\"_blank\">Emma Juneja<\/a> and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"29844\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/amanda-farrugia\/\" target=\"_blank\">Amanda Farrugia<\/a> impressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>UNSW-ES Bulldogs also made it two from two with a 69-point victory over St George Dragons. The Bulldogs kept the Dragons to just one goal for the game, as <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"63353\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/rebecca-privitelli\/\" target=\"_blank\">Rebecca Privitelli<\/a> and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"131730\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/taylor-smith-2\/\" target=\"_blank\">Taylor Smith<\/a> each booted three goals in the victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>TASMANIA:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Northern Tasmanian Football Association: Round 1<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>North Launceston put Longford to the sword with a 19.19 (133) to 0.1 (1) thrashing to kick off the season. The Bombers shared the goals around with five multiple goalkickers, as <strong>Dominique Giutini <\/strong>and <strong>Rhianna Binns<\/strong> were both amongst the best players on the day. <strong>Tayla Farrell<\/strong> battled hard for Longford in defeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Launceston kept Deloraine scoreless in the first half and went on to win by 17 points, 5.6 (36) to 3.1 (19) despite the Kangaroos hitting back with three goals to one in the second half.<strong> Maddie Hogarth <\/strong>and<strong> Zoe Kingsley<\/strong> stood out, while <strong>Karlee Evans<\/strong> was best-on for the losing side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the other game, South Launceston easily defeated Scottsdale with an 8.8 (56) to 0.2 (2) domination. <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"185560\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/georgia-mcintee\/\" target=\"_blank\">Georgia McIntee<\/a> (three goals) and <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"65283\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/liana-freestone\/\" target=\"_blank\">Liana Freestone<\/a> (two) lead the way in front of goal, while <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"128992\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/georgia-gillow\/\" target=\"_blank\">Georgia Gillow<\/a> was named best-on. <strong>Mikayla Binns<\/strong> was an eye-catcher for the Magpies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Southern Football League: Round 2<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>North Hobart produced a jaw-dropping 225-0 thrashing of Brighton with the experienced footy factory proving too good for their opponents in the Southern Football League. Overager <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"169335\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/lily-mcconnon\/\" target=\"_blank\">Lily McConnon<\/a> slammed home nine goals, with <strong>Emily Mifsud<\/strong> slotting seven in the victory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kingborough also flexed their muscles in a commanding 14.10 (94) to 1.0 (6) triumph over Lauderdale. The Tigers provided too strong after some early resistance as <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"65274\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/hailee-baldwin\/\" target=\"_blank\">Hailee Baldwin<\/a> starred and both Molly Mitchell and Georgie Bailey kicked four goals. Top-age draft prospect <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"169510\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/stevie-lee-johns\/\" target=\"_blank\">Stevie-Lee Johns<\/a> was named best afield, while former AFLW forward <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"29714\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/jess-wuetschner\/\" target=\"_blank\">Jess Wuetschner<\/a> also stood out and kicked her side&#8217;s only major.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The closest game of the round saw Clarence record a 27-point win over Glenorchy on the road, 5.10 (40) to 2.1 (13). Devils top-ager <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"178837\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/maddison-hardy\/\" target=\"_blank\">Maddison Hardy<\/a> was best afield for the Roos, while experienced state leaguer <a data-type=\"player\" data-id=\"65271\" class=\"_dc_spo\" href=\"\/afl\/player\/jemma-webster-2\/\" target=\"_blank\">Jemma Webster<\/a> also impressed. Rhianna Davis was one of the best for the Magpies in defeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-dc-block-dc-mention _dc_mention\"><div class=\"section-heading_wrap\"><span class=\"section-heading is-small\">Mentions<\/span><span class=\"hor-border\"><\/span><\/div><ul class=\"js-overflow-list overflow-list\"><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/giselle-davies\/\">Giselle Davies<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/olivia-meagher\/\">Olivia Meagher<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/tegan-williams\/\">Tegan Williams<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/isabella-iverach\/\">Isabella Iverach<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/kendra-blattman\/\">Kendra Blattman<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/indiana-williams\/\">Indiana Williams<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/chelsea-chesterfield\/\">Chelsea Chesterfield<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/grace-roberts-white\/\">Grace Roberts-White<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/zimmorlei-farquharson\/\">Zimmorlei Farquharson<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/kaiya-hides\/\">Kaiya Hides<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/tshinta-kendall\/\">Tshinta Kendall<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/isabella-rudolph\/\">Isabella Rudolph<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/bella-clarke\/\">Bella Clarke<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/lucy-yates\/\">Lucy Yates<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/emma-juneja\/\">Emma Juneja<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/amanda-farrugia\/\">Amanda Farrugia<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/rebecca-privitelli\/\">Rebecca Privitelli<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/taylor-smith-2\/\">Taylor Smith<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/georgia-mcintee\/\">Georgia McIntee<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/liana-freestone\/\">Liana Freestone<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/georgia-gillow\/\">Georgia Gillow<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/lily-mcconnon\/\">Lily McConnon<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/hailee-baldwin\/\">Hailee Baldwin<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/stevie-lee-johns\/\">Stevie-Lee Johns<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/jess-wuetschner\/\">Jess Wuetschner<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/maddison-hardy\/\">Maddison Hardy<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"object-mention_single\"><div class=\"tag tag--is-clickable\"><a class=\"tag-text _dc_mention_p\" href=\"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/player\/jemma-webster-2\/\">Jemma Webster<\/a><\/div><\/li><li class=\"js-dropdown dropdown overflowed\"><button class=\"btn btn-icon-only\"><span class=\"icon btn-icon\">\n                    <!-- icon - plus circle - 20px-->\n                    <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n                        <path d=\"M15,9.28h-4.3V5h0A.72.72,0,1,0,9.28,5h0V9.28H5a.72.72,0,0,0,0,1.43H9.28V15a.72.72,0,0,0,1.43,0h0V10.71H15a.72.72,0,0,0,0-1.43Z\"\/>\n                        <path d=\"M10,0A10,10,0,1,0,20,10,10,10,0,0,0,10,0Zm0,18.57A8.57,8.57,0,0,1,10,1.43h0a8.57,8.57,0,0,1,0,17.14Z\"\/>\n                    <\/svg>\n                <\/span><\/button><div class=\"popover\"><div class=\"popover-content\"><ul class=\"popover-menu\"><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>IN THE first of a new series taking a look around the country and some of the players catching the eye across the eastern seaboard, there were some absolute smashings in each of the competitions, with the QAFL Women&#8217;s boasting a 374-point combined difference between the winners and losers. QUEENSLAND: QAFL Women&#8217;s: Round 1 It [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":198937,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22177,8,3129,18085,3132,18230,15,3133,137],"tags":[3071,5277,13159,20358,19905,23438,16921,20700,3339,21158,17919,22606,9034,3039,20492,19418,10970,23439,21352,23440,3729,6902,22772,5773,10668,21159,5374],"class_list":["post-212138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-afl-sydney-womens","category-news","category-nsw-act","category-qaflw","category-queensland","category-round-review","category-state-leagues","category-tasmania","category-womens","tag-amanda-farrugia","tag-bella-clarke","tag-chelsea-chesterfield","tag-emma-juneja","tag-georgia-gillow","tag-georgia-mcintee","tag-giselle-davies","tag-grace-roberts-white","tag-hailee-baldwin","tag-indiana-williams","tag-isabella-iverach","tag-isabella-rudolph","tag-jemma-webster","tag-jess-wuetschner","tag-kaiya-hides","tag-kendra-blattman","tag-liana-freestone","tag-lily-mcconnon","tag-lucy-yates","tag-maddison-hardy","tag-olivia-meagher","tag-rebecca-privitelli","tag-stevie-lee-johns","tag-taylor-smith","tag-tegan-williams","tag-tshinta-kendall","tag-zimmorlei-farquharson"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=212138"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212138\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":212152,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/212138\/revisions\/212152"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/198937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=212138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=212138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=212138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}