QAFLW 2024 finals preview: All four sides analysed, plus game-breakers and surprise packet players

An in depth look at every team vying for the QAFLW premiership, including the game-breakers and surprise packet players that could shape the finals.

Madeleine Watt in action for Southport in the QAFLW competition. Picture: Highflyer Images

Just four teams remain in the QAFLW and finals are upon us.

Traditional powers Southport, Aspley and Bond University are all hitting their straps, but can Coorparoo cause an upset and shake the finals series up?

Discover their chances below and the players who could be decisive.

In case you missed it, catch up on our mega QAFLW player rankings from the home and away season.

Southport

The Sharks are in good shape after a slow start to the season and have unlocked synergy amongst the group.

Southport’s dominance tends to start at the contest and it has been good in that space, which allows it to lock the ball in its front half and set up defensively from there. Territory is what underpins the Sharks game.

“We’ve been doing that really well over the last six to eight weeks,” said Southport’s assistant manager of football operations David Ashkar of his side’s contested work.

The Sharks lost back-to-back games to Bond and Aspley early in the season but have since gelled to be unbeaten since round three.

“We learnt a hell of a lot during that period,” Ashkar

Given their finals woes last season where they suffered a straight sets exit after losing just one game in the home and away season. The Sharks won’t be resting on their laurels. It’s also why they underwent a major list overhaul with 35 new players coming to the club in 2024.

Game-breakers: You could throw a blanket over any number of key contributors, but expect the likes of Stephanie O’Brien - fresh off a netball premiership with Ipswich - Megan Hunt, Madeleine Watt and Tayla Gregory to be at the fore for Southport. Talent is littered across their starting line-up.

Surprise packet: Maddy Baldwin’s move forward has worked wonders this season and she’s enjoyed a great goal-kicking run for the Sharks. Expect the former Richmond and Port Melbourne VFLW talent to snag plenty of goals.

Southport QAFLW player Maddy Baldwin. Picture: Highflyer Images.

Aspley

After a 49-point loss to Bond University in the 2023 grand final, Aspley are back for revenge in 2024.

The Hornets have only dropped two matches this season, a 8.5.53-3.8.26 result to Southport away in round 10 and a 5.9.39-4.7.31 loss at home to Bond in round 12.

They average a 36 point winning margin at home compared to 50 when playing and winning away which head coach Luke Glacken has credited to hard work and consistent performances.

“What they’ve been able to achieve so far this season after coming off the disappointment of last year has been great,” Glacken said.

The women in gold and black have stood tall when faced with pressure this year and have moved through the regular season as the hunters to now being the hunted.

“We went through that transitional period at different times of the year but the girls have taken to that challenge really well,” Glacken said.

“Tenacity and hardness at the footy has stepped up which has been a cornerstone of their performances but our first quarter efforts still remain a key focus.”

Jessica Stallard in action for Aspley in the QAFLW competition. Picture: Highflyer Images

Opening quarter efforts have been the achilles heel of the Hornets for the past two seasons ranging from red-hot to ice-cold performances each match.

They’ll especially need to hit the ground running against Southport who at home this season average 22.57 points in the first quarter.

“Southport are the obvious form side of the competition so we know they’re going to make the ground big, we know they transition really well and they’re a competitive side that’s full of talent on every line,” Glacken said.

“I know we can match them, we just have to go in and play our game and make sure we take our opportunities when they come.”

Game-breakers: Louise Tyson has had another fantastic year and is one of the best performing players of the entire QAFLW competition. Just having her on the field is a key focus point and advantage for the Hornets. Jessica Stallard was the leading goalkicker through the home and away season with 32 majors from 11 appearances and will be looking to extend her advantage through the finals.

Surprise packet: Alanna Perry has somewhat snuck under the radar this season but is an experienced campaigner who attacks the footy with aggression and has some elite skills when she’s got it. Was an unlucky admission from the Queensland side earlier this season and will be hoping to show exactly why during the finals.

Bond University

The reigning premiers have undergone a testing season with key injuries ruling out a number of stars including Ava Usher and Josie McCabe who both suffered ACL tears among others.

They squared the ledger at one win apiece with fellow powerhouse Aspley and Bond this season, but also dropped a game to this week’s opponent Coorparoo which set them back on the ladder.

That loss came back in round three and it was a low-scoring affair, with Coorparoo kicking three goals to Bond’s two.

Bond University QAFLW player Courtney Sexton. Picture: Highflyer Images.

The Bull Sharks are expecting a tough contested game from Coorparoo who will be out to cause a mighty upset. Bond will need to be disciplined and strong in the contest to ensure it avoids a repeat of that result.

They have moved the ball well and connected between the lines well throughout the season and lead the competition for marks taken inside 50.

Game-breakers: The midfielder duo of Shannon Nolan and Courtney Sexton have stepped up this year and put together an outstanding season. Ella Caleja will be strong at half forward for Bond, while wingers Tahlia Meyer and Charlotte Taylor have been equally as impressive and could well have a say in the result.

Surprise packet: Bond skipper Paris Lightfoot who has struggled with injuries throughout the season but has stepped up in the past few games to provide great speed and dash off half back. Will be one to watch.

Bond University captain Paris Lightfoot QAFLW. Picture: Clyde Scorgie/Brooke Sleep Media

Coorparoo

Coorparoo are undoubtedly the underdogs heading into the finals series, but they do have form against Bond, however distant it may be.

Bond fell to Coorparoo back in round three in a low-scoring clash, and Coorparoo coach Rory Lake said he wouldn’t be reading too far into the result given how long ago it was.

“The teams have changed a fair bit since then no doubt, it’s going to be two different sides, but we’ll go down with a bit of confidence knowing we were able to win down there earlier in the year,” Lake said.

“Our pressure was nearly as good as we’ve had it all year that day, if we could bottle that up and bring that again we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

In the last round of the home and away season Coorparoo suffered a 52-point loss at the hands of Aspley, indicating that they have some work to do to compete with the top echelon of teams.

Coorparoo QAFLW player Lucy Schneider in action. Picture: Clyde Scorgie/Brooke Sleep Media.

Their pressure will again be key if they are to claim an upset win.

Their work at the contest and also ability to compete for the entirety of matches without dropping into lulls has been a strength.

Correlating that great contested work into scoreboard dominance is where Lake’s side will be looking to improve.

“We want to be able to take our chances more when we hit the scoreboard,” Lake said.

“Finals is a little bit different to home and away, it turns into a real contested and pressure-based game, they’re probably the two areas we want to bring on Saturday.”

Game-breakers: Grace Roberts-White will play a huge role for Coorparoo if she can get her hands to the footy first and get the ball inside 50. The side’s captains in Lucy Schneider and Ayla Fetahagic will also be crucial in helping to set the game up.

Surprise packet: Meg Muir has flown under the radar in the past month but she has been superb on the wing for Coorparoo. Lake is thrilled with her development and described her form as “incredible”. She had a good balance of defensive positioning but is also involved offensively on the wing and plays a well-rounded game.