By Ant Wingard
@AntWingard
AFL Queensland is pleased to announce the 2018 Bond University Queensland Women’s Australian Football League (QWAFL) fixture for the upcoming 2018 season.
The 17-round fixture, which kicks off on April 14, will see seven clubs competing for the premiership flag, with new club Bond University making their debut in the 2018 season.
Each team will face off with one another twice; once home and once away, plus an additional game against two clubs for a third time.
The Bond University QWAFL Grand Final will be held on the last weekend in August, falling on either the 25th or 26th of the month.
Coorparoo won’t have to wait for their chance at redemption in their Grand Final rematch with Yeronga South-Brisbane. The Devils host Coorparoo at Leyshon Park in the opening game of the season with the 2017 premiers expected to unveil their premiership flag.
Bond University will host their very first league game at home against Coolangatta Tweed in a local derby in Round 2.
With two university teams in the competition for the first time in 2018, bragging rights will be up for grabs when Bond University and the University of Queensland face off twice.
Wilston Grange will enjoy playing four home games aligned with their QAFL affiliate, taking place in Rounds 3, 4, 8 and 14.
The Round 15 clash between the Gorillas and Coolangatta Tweed will also be a standalone game at Bendigo Bank Oval in a showcase of local women’s football.
QWAFL Competition Manager, Fiona Jones, said the fixture highlighted the best of women’s football in Queensland.
“We’ll see another exciting chapter for women’s football in the state in 2018,” she said.
“There’s plenty of anticipation off the back of the thrilling Grand Final last year between Yeronga and Coorparoo, the continued success of the Brisbane Lions AFL Women’s team and the increase of participation numbers at QWAFL clubs around the south east region.”
Jones also suggested the presence of Bond University in the competition poses a tantalising proposition for both the present and future.
“Bond University’s inclusion into the league is well deserved, and we hope they’ll showcase some of the best women’s talent from the Gold Coast when the season kicks off,” she said.
“With Gold Coast entering the national competition in 2020, we hope another team on the coast, along with Coolangatta, will help foster the future of the AFL Women’s competition there.”
AFLQ can also confirm all QWAFL matches will be filmed in 2018, with the vision being accessible to clubs for talent identification and development purposes.
AFLQ State Football Operations Manager, Barry Gibson, said the vision capabilities is part of their commitment towards improving women’s football at the top levels.
“We are pleased to be able to film all matches in 2018 which will be a significant step towards assisting the AFLW teams of the Brisbane Lions and the incoming Gold Coast Suns with talent identification.
“It will also be a valuable tool for players and coaches, which ultimately will assist in players getting better and getting noticed.”
2018 Bond University QWAFL Fixture Highlights:
- Round 1: Grand Final rematch between Yeronga and Coorparoo
- Round 2: Bond University host first QWAFL home game against local rivals Coolangatta.
- Round 15: Standalone QWAFL game between Wilston Grange and Coolangatta Tweed at Bendigo Bank Oval.
- QWAFL Finals Series: August 11-26.
- QWAFL Grand Final: August 26/27
- Grogan Medal Dinner: September 16.
Download: 2018 Bond University QWAFL Fixture
