Rockhampton Panthers women kick off 2024 campaign in commanding fashion

Rockhampton Panthers’ full forward Kelsey Williams was bang on target in her team’s big win as the AFL Capricornia senior women’s and men’s comps kicked off. See who got the wins and who scored the points.

Rockhampton Panthers' Kelsey Williams and Glenmore Bulls' Tim Higgins were among the top goal-scorers in Round 1 of AFL Capricornia fixtures.

The Rockhampton Panthers’ agonising three-point loss in last year’s AFL Capricornia senior women’s decider has made them even hungrier this season, according to co-captain Amy Mill.

And the talented outfit dined out on the Gladstone Suns in Round 1 of the competition on Saturday.

The Panthers booted 21 majors in their 130-point win on their home turf at the Rockhampton Cricket Grounds.

Full forward Kelsey Williams had a field day, kicking eight goals in the one-sided contest.

Rockhampton Panthers full forward Kelsey Williams kicked eight majors in her team’s big win.

Maddison Law landed four and Emma Lewis three as the Panthers signalled their intentions from the opening hooter, leading by 48 at the first break.

See the photos from Panthers versus Suns Round 1 fixture here

And in an ominous warning for the other teams, Mill said they were not at full strength against the Suns.

“I’m really happy with that,” she said.

“We started off really well, considering we had a few players missing this week.

“It’s exciting to think when we’re at full strength what we can do.”

Panthers’ co-captain Amy Mill was happy with how her team performed in Round 1.

Mill said the Panthers had retained the majority of their playing group from last year but there were a few exciting new inclusions such as Lewis, who starred in the forward line.

She said Williams was outstanding, as was Elise Bottcher who worked tirelessly in the middle.

Mill said the close loss to Yeppoon in the 2023 grand final was providing real motivation for the team.

“We’re going game by game but we want the flag,” she declared.

“Losing by three points last year has made us even hungrier for it.”

Round 1 results and top scorers

Senior women

Yeppoon Swans 4.7-31 (Natalie Robertson 2, d BITS Saints 2.2-14 (Indiana Franklin 2)

Rockhampton Panthers 21.10-136 (Kelsey Williams 8, Maddison Law 4, Emma Lewis 3) d Gladstone Suns 6 (Madelyn Hogarth 1)

Glenmore Bulls 5.5-35 (Rachel Lawson 2) d Brothers Kangaroos 0.1-1

Tim Higgins kicked four goals in Glenmore’s win over Brothers.

Senior men

Yeppoon Swans 20.8-128 (Alex Chapman 3, Ozzy Jackson 3, Josh McKee 3) d BITS Saints 5.2-32 (Jackson Cooper 1, Jaksen Brose 1)

Gladstone Suns 7.8-50 (Jamie Hill 2, Kale Ross 2, Philip Solomon 2) d Rockhampton Panthers 40 (Lachlan McKenzie 2)

Glenmore Bulls 8.5-53 (Timothy Higgins 3) d Brothers Kangaroos 4.4-28 (William Neate 2)