QAFLW 2025 season preview: Key recruits, players to watch, coaches aims

Ahead of the QAFLW season, head coaches have uncovered their fresh faced recruits, players to watch and their side’s competitive edge for 2025. Read the full preview and have your say.

QAFLW 2025 Season Launch. Picture: Highflyer Images

With the first bounce looming, every QAFLW head coach has uncovered their off-season takeaways, key players to watch and their side’s excitement factor for 2025.

Round 1 will be played on April 5 with the regular season running until August 9 and the grand final to take centre stage on September 7.

Morningside and Moreton Bay have entered into Queensland’s top flight competition with 10 clubs competing for the 2025 premiership flag.

This season will include an expanded top six finals series and will also welcome five new head coaches across the league.

Ahead of round 1 this masthead caught up with each side’s head coach to find out how pre-season had gone, their 2025 competition aims, new recruits and which players they believe are ones to keep an eye on.

• QAFL coaches reveal: Ins and outs, key players and 2025 aims
  

Southport

Head coach: Matthew Lappin

Captain: Rianna Schipp

2024 result: Premiers

Matthew Lappin will be at the helm of the Southport Sharks QAFLW side in 2025. Picture: Supplied.

There was no denying the depth in talent at Sharks HQ in 2024 with Southport taking out the QAFLW seniors and reserves premierships.

Now, with new coach Matthew Lappin at the helm and a new system in place, the Sharks are set to provide a new kind of threat in 2025, with an enhanced focus on attacking football.

“I was here at the Sharks a few years ago in the men’s program but this is my first time coaching in the women’s space,” Lappin said.

“It’s been refreshing, I’ve been impressed by their willingness to learn and get better.

“It’s been a good adjustment for me having spent so long in the men’s space, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, it’s also been handy that I’ve got a daughter in the program as well so I can help shape her a little bit when she’s here.”

Players to watch:

• Olivia Meagher: Was previously a member of the Collingwood AFLW list and has joined the club after playing in Cairns. She has already impressed during pre-season making a name for herself with her strong running, impressive skill and competitive edge.
• Tyla and Bindi Crabtree: The duo have joined from the Greater Western Victoria Rebels and have already proven themselves as strong additions to the squad.
• Rianna Schipp: The captain was a strong player last year but Lappin expects her to explode in 2025 after an outstanding pre-season.

What excites you the most: “I think just the style of footy we’re trying to play. I think last year they were clearly the best team in the contest. This year we want to still be really strong in the contest but we want to try and open the game up a little bit more and run out in space, play with some speed, try and take the ball out of the contest and try and male it a bit more of a running game and a skill game,” Lappin said.

Bond University

Head coach: Andy Lovell

Captain: Grace Moodie

2024 result: Runners Up

The 2023 premiers and last year’s runners-up have been the benchmark of the competition in recent years but Lovell knows that past achievements mean nothing ahead of a new season, with that the case this year in particular.

The club has undergone the most significant turnover in its history, with senior players retiring, leaders moving interstate and rising stars drafted into the AFLW.

Instead of looking to make wholesale signings from interstate, Lovell has opted to reward the stars in reserve grade, who have been grand final mainstays in recent years.

Bond University Director of AFL Andy Lovell. Picture: Cavan Flynn.

Players to watch:

• Shannon Nolan: Won the Bond University best and fairest last year as a small running midfielder. Despite winning the best and fairest last year, Lovell believes there is still plenty of room for Nolan to continue to improve and develop.
• Ella Callaeja: A talented and experienced hybrid forward who has had an outstanding pre-season. She has the game IQ and talent to make her mark around the contest or in front of goal.
• Lexi Samuels: The winger had a breakthrough season last year as she made the step up to the seniors and did not look out of place in the slightest.
• Skye White: A former Suns Academy member who returns to Bond University as a full-time player. She is a mobile key defender with plenty of talent.
• Grace Ella: Another player with Suns Academy experience, Ella has speed to burn. Throughout her time with the Suns, she was a lockdown defender who provided great drive off of halfback.
• Maisy Evans: The 19-year-old ruck enters her second year at QAFLW level and will look to build on a strong first season at Bond.
• Tobi Chapman: A reserve grade star in recent years who will have the chance to make her mark at senior level as a tall, athletic inside midfielder.

What excites you the most: “To see how far we can go. Compared to the last two years, we’re quite young and inexperienced but that’s exciting too because we’ve got talent and they’ve been desperate for an opportunity and their opportunity’s here now. Bringing almost a whole new squad together and trying to connect them I think that’s a great challenge in coaching,” Lovell said.

Aspley

Head coach: Luke Glacken

Captain: Emma Pittman

2024 result: Third

Just four years ago the Hornets finished the 2020 season winless which is a wild stretch considering they are now one of the most feared sides of the competition.

A grand final loss in 2023 was followed up with 12 wins and two losses through the 2024 regular season before bowing out with two straight finals losses.

Now the brown and gold are looking to go all the way and head coach Luke Glacken believes they have the tools to do so.

“My main takeaway from pre-season has been the ability for the group to embrace standards and drive one another on the training track,” he said.

“Players have been given opportunities to develop in different positions with different game styles this year and they have driven each other to excel at the chance.”

Aspley QAFLW head coach Luke Glacken. Picture: Ben Grimes.

Players to watch:

• Lilu Hung: By all reports had a fantastic pre-season. Her body is ready and primed for a huge season.
• Jaci Plumpton: An Aspley junior that’s making her way through the ranks with plenty of raw athleticism and untapped potential. Be sure to keep an eye on her this season.
• Gabby Roberts: Has gone from strength to strength and continues to develop her football IQ and game sense. Is set for a breakout season.
• Katie Day: A high calibre recruit from Collingwood VFL that brings an intensity and level of hardness that will bode well throughout the year.

What excites you the most: “The squad has gelled together and taken ownership of the program. They have embraced the hard work that’s been put in front of them and have already been in a position that they have needed to overcome challenges. When put to the test this year, the girls have built real grit, paired with the eagerness to grasp the opportunities they have been granted this year, it will make us hard to play against,” Glacken said.

Coorparoo

Head coach: Ben Mackenzie

Captain: Ayla Fetahagic

2024 result: Fourth

The Kings snuck into finals last year with six wins and eight losses.

However, with the third-placed Bond University picking up five more wins, the focus for 2025 is all about bridging the gap between themselves and the likes of Bond, Aspley and Southport.

“It’s always an easy thing to say we’ve had a great pre-season but we have been lucky, no injuries, fitness has been a big focus of ours and the girls have done everything I’ve asked of them and been super impressed in that space,” Mackenzie said.

Coorparoo Kings QAFLW head coach Ben Mackenzie. Picture: AFLQ

Players to watch:

• Ayla Fetahagic and Lucy Schneider: The duo are Queensland representatives and are crucial members of the Coorparoo squad.
• Grace Roberts-White: Roberts-White took home the Coorparoo best and fairest award last season and will look to have another big year in the midfield this season.

What excites you the most: “There’s some new players in the squad that have come on board which is a pretty exciting part of where we’re at. I think for us, we’ve got a really solid senior group who have been at the club for a long period of time and to blood some new talent alongside those is what I’m most excited to see this year,” Mackenzie said.

Wilston Grange

Head coach: Phil Tonkin

Captain: Mackenzie Findlay

2024 result: Fifth

With six wins and eight losses last season it was a true middle of the road performance from the Gorilla’s who only managed one win against the top four sides.

With so much young talent bursting at the seams, it’s always going to be tough for Wilston Grange to compete against the more experienced heavy hitters at the top of the table but in saying that, there’s no reason why the Gorillas can’t make a push for finals in 2025.

“The group buy-in has been massive and we’ve had huge numbers all pre-season,” he said.

“The main focus has been on our strength and conditioning which has really levelled up and we are fitter than ever before.

“Our young talent once again will be key and the players coming through our system are quite exciting.”

Wilston Grange head coach Phil Tonkin. Picture: Facebook.

Players to watch:

• Grace Osbourne: A new addition to the club that has already added another layer to the Gorillas midfield.
• Jas Ware: Has returned for her second season at the club and brings a new found confidence which has been evident throughout the pre-season. Her work as a leader has been huge and her ability to play across three lines ticks a lot of boxes.
• Taneka Dhadlie: Another player that’s returning for her second season of QAFLW. Her attention to detail across half forward will no doubt excite Queensland selectors this season.

What excites you the most: “I’m really keen to see 21 good humans come together every Saturday by enjoying their footy and playing for one another. The education piece around role playing will make our 2025 squad have a one club mentality,” Tonkin said.

University of Queensland

Head coach: Ross Clayfield

Captain: Charlotte Andrews

2024 result: Sixth

It was a mixed bag for UQ in 2024, with the team slow out of the blocks, picking up just two wins from their opening nine games before coming out on top in three of their last five clashes.

After the strong finish to the year, coach Ross Clayfield has high hopes for his younger players this year and expects several breakthrough seasons.

“We’ve done a lot to invest in young players the last two seasons,” he said.

“We have seven, eight, nine players who have Lions Academy backgrounds now in that 18-20 age bracket.

“Just seeing them really mature and develop as people and footballers is exciting and I think they’re ready to become really important components of our footy team.”

University of Queensland QAFLW side. Picture: Highflyer Images.

Players to watch:

• Harriet Knijff, Ashleigh Moyle and Erin Gilbert: The trio have been at the club the last few years and are expected to have breakout campaigns in 2025 and will be heavily utilised throughout the midfield.
• Jessi Henning: A key cog in the UQ system who continues to get better each year.
• Gabi Simpson: The former Queensland Firebirds netball star joined UQ last season and her elite-level professionalism has been pivotal for the team as she has taken on a formal leadership role in the team this year.
• Camilla Satyasiv: A new backline recruit from Yeronga South Brisbane, Satyasiv brings several years of senior football experience and is set to thrive in a new environment

What excites you the most: “We’re always excited about new people at the club but probably the most important thing for us is getting continuity from one season to the next. I’m excited to see some of our younger players step into leadership roles. Elka Barnett is our new deputy vice-captain, she’s new to a leadership role and is a great club person,” Clayfield said.

Maroochydore

Head coach: Leigh Redpath

Captain: Abbey Tognazzini

2024 result: Seventh

The past 12 months have been a rollercoaster for the Roos, who parted ways with their head coach Paul Magher in round seven before Redpath stepped into the role.

The lone Sunshine Coast-based club finished the season with four wins from their 14 matches but after a full pre-season Redpath said he was excited to see how his side opened their 2025 campaign.

“It’s probably been a harder pre-season than the girls have experienced in the past and a main reason for that has been through our partnership with UniSC,” he said.

“The girls now have a gym and running program set out for them via the students at UniSC that will go towards some research papers for their different classes.

“It’s been different but they’ve already got plenty out of it and it’ll be exciting to play some proper footy.”

Maroochydore QAFLW head coach Leigh Redpath.

Players to watch:

• Abbey Tognazzini and Jesse McMillan: Can pencil both players in as regular standouts every week. Both bring plenty of energy on both sides of the footy and will be key for Maroochydore’s chances.
• Shae Partington and Demi McCarthy: Two new players from Glenelg South Australia that have already impressed head coach Leigh Redpath.
• Poppy Tindal, Lataya De Pauw and Marlee Marshall: Three younger players that will hopefully reach new heights this season against some serious top end talent.

What excites you the most: “The change in how we move the footy will be pretty exciting I think. I’m keen to see how we stack up against the better side’s of the competition because I think it will be pretty strong this season,” Redpath said.

Yeronga South Brisbane

Head coach: Anthony Sacco

Captains: Clancey Sutton and Ebony Panoho

2024 result: Eighth

Sacco will step into the head coaching role this season after serving as the Devils midfield coach in 2024.

He said after a rollercoaster off-season his squad was excited to get out and play some footy.

“The main thing we’ve seen through the pre-season has been a lot of player movement,” he said.

“I think with the two new teams coming into the competition it’s triggered a lot of movement of players returning to their former clubs or seeking a new club.

“That was a bit of a challenge for us but it’s settled down now and our numbers are getting better and better.”

Sacco said another key takeaway had been the club’s work behind the scenes at strengthening their female pathways.

“We’re one of six Brisbane QAFLW clubs so we’ve made a conscious effort that the pathway for junior girls to continue on to the senior level is clear and attainable,” he said.

“That’s an important focus as well as branching out to other local clubs who haven’t got a QAFLW senior side, but know there are other options.”

Yeronga South Brisbane QAFLW head coach Anthony Sacco. Picture: Facebook.

Players to watch:

• Lekaiya Rabbitt and Scarlett Young: Both Northern Territory products that have arrived at the club from Nightcliff in the NTFL. Both promising prospects that have already shown plenty of development throughout the pre-season.
• Jade Struhs and Clancey Sutton: The former Southport jet will bring plenty of experience into the Devils side each week as a key forward. Sutton, the Devil’s co-captain, has returned to the club full time this season and her impact will be evident on both sides of the ball.
• Thyra Tavil: Originally from Papua New Guinea, Tavil has moved across from Mt Gravatt’s QFAW division two side. Tavil is a serious talent and possesses a great understanding of the game.
• Lilly Clutton, Freya Ross, Kimmy Bell and Sienna Wilson: All four players are younger prospects but will no doubt be pushing for consistent senior footy with the Devils this season.

What excites you the most: “I think we’ve got a real opportunity to take some big leaps as a rebuilding club. There’s plenty of great young talent at our club so it’s a chance for them to grow and learn every week. We’ve had a few years where the results have not been too kind but we really want to create a strong belief in this group and build from there.”

Morningside

Head coach: Damien Richards

Captain: Courtney McDonnell

2024 result: n/a

Morningside is one of the two new teams to join QAFLW in 2025 and the club is brimming with excitement as the women’s program embarks on a new era.

“Everyone’s pretty pumped and I know all the existing girls as well that have been there the last two or three years are super excited to take the jump up,” Richards said

Players to watch:

• Georgia Hewett: Brings QAFLW experience from Yeronga South Brisbane and her electric speed is set to be a game-changer.
• Charlotte Howard: Missed the 2023 and 2024 seasons through injury but is set to be a key player in Morningside’s inaugural QAFLW venture.
• Lucy Bellinger: The former Brisbane Lion was a key acquisition for Morningside, with the club hoping to use her experience to help shape the club moving forward.

What excites you the most: “Probably the challenge of taking a new team up a division. It’s going to be a bit of a rollercoaster ride and definitely not expecting it all to be going upwards all the time. We’ve set some goals as a club which I think are achievable in our first year. It’s just going to be exciting to see the growth of the squad throughout the season,” Richards said.

Moreton Bay

Head coach: Shane Dawes

Captain: Jess Davy

2024 result: n/a

Started coaching on the Sunshine Coast through the Brisbane Lions academy before being appointed to coach the Moreton Bay senior women’s side in 2022.

With a side that only had two wins to their name in 2021, Dawes flipped the script and helped guide the Lions to the QFAW division one grand final in 2022 followed by a premiership in 2023.

After being successful in joining the QAFLW for the 2024 season the Lions lost a number of key players that wanted to play at a higher level.

“That wasn’t ideal but we still went on to make the preliminary final and our average age across the board was 19 so a very young group that took plenty away from the 2024 season,” Sacco said.

“Now that we are in QAFLW we have gotten a fair few of those players back which has been great.”

The Lions will enter this season with plenty of unknown but Dawes said he was excited to see what his side could produce.

“The overall extra professionalism compared to seasons gone by has been massive from my perspective,” he said.

“The club has been fantastic in it all, they’ve offered plenty of support which is clear through all the new GPS units we now have access to and have given us great metrics around our fitness.

“Even just looking at where the girls started and where they are now prior to round one has been remarkable.”

Moreton Bay QAFLW head coach Shane Dawes addresses his side.

Players to watch:

• Jess Davy: Returns to the club as the Lions captain who last season made the QAFLW team of the year as well as picking up Queensland representative honours.
• Ellen Hopkins and Grace Pearson-Smith.: Both high profile stars that return to the club. Hopkins and Pearson-Smith will provide plenty of structure down forward and act as serious threats in front of the sticks.
• Eloise O’Connor: Has bought plenty of experience to the young Lions side with past QAFLW and VFL matches under her belt.
• Tahlia Smith: Former Cairns Saints captain who relocated to South East Queensland in recent years and will now act as a dominant clearing midfielder for the Lions.
• Charis Tarr and Emmy Brady: Both younger players that have continued to rise through the ranks and should get their chance to explode at the QAFLW level this season.

What excites you the most: “I think their attitude is the best thing as far as how much work they’ve put in and knowing how much is still to come. They’re excited to have a real crack at it and we’re treating every game as an adventure. For us most of the sides we’ve never ever played so they’ll have their opinions of us but until we meet them we don’t really know. Our positive culture and our vibe has made me the most happy as I’m really enjoying myself and I know the girls are too.”

Originally published as QAFLW 2025 season preview: Key recruits, players to watch, coaches aims