Southport Sharks QAFLW Grand Final 2026

Reserves cap off perfect season defeating Coorparoo, Seniors fall agonisingly short against Bond Uni

Reserves | Sharks complete perfect season with historic three-peat

Southport has capped off an undefeated 2026 QAFLW Reserves campaign in style, defeating Coorparoo by 59 points to claim a third consecutive premiership.

The Sharks produced a commanding Grand Final performance to win 8.12 (60) to 0.1 (1), holding Coorparoo goalless and completing a perfect season.

Coorparoo came out with intent and generated the first inside 50 of the game, but Southport quickly settled and began to control territory. Best on Ground Neive Ryan struck the first blow of the Grand Final and was involved in everything early, before Kaylea Kobzan added another to give the Sharks a 16-point lead at quarter time.

Southport found another gear in the second term. Young gun Lucy Ashcroft kicked her first, before Kobzan produced a crafty finish for her second of the afternoon. Jesica Pang then provided one of the highlights of the Grand Final, producing a brilliant finish from the boundary to help extend the margin to 35 points at the main break.

The Sharks continued to dictate terms after half time, generating repeat forward entries and preventing Coorparoo from gaining any momentum. Ryan kicked the first goal of the second half, before Georgia Wakefield, who had spent much of the season in defence, pushed forward and added another.

Southport controlled much of the final term but managed just one more major through Mia Trinder. At the other end, the defence refused to concede, limiting Coorparoo to a solitary behind for the entire Grand Final.

Ryan capped an outstanding season with a Best on Ground performance and two goals, while Peyton Mackie, Abbie Pluples, Taneille Krzyska, Serina Balanda and Tara Nieass were also among Southport’s best.

The final siren confirmed a fitting end to an extraordinary campaign, with the Sharks completing an undefeated season and securing their third consecutive QAFLW Reserves premiership.

SOUTHPORT     2.4     5.6     7.9     8.12 (60)
COORPAROO     0.0     0.1     0.1     0.1 (1)

GOALS: Kobzan 2, Ryan 2, Ashcroft, Pang, Trinder, Wakefield

BEST PLAYERS: Ryan, Mackie, Pluples, Krzyska, Balanda, Nieass

BEST ON GROUND: Neive Ryan

Seniors | Sharks fall short against Bond in Grand Final 

Southport’s 2026 QAFLW campaign has come to an end, with Bond University claiming an 18-point victory in the Grand Final at Brighton Homes Arena.

The Sharks were defeated 6.4 (40) to 3.4 (22), with a fast-starting Bond establishing an early advantage that Southport spent the remainder of the afternoon trying to overcome.

The Bull Sharks made an immediate impact, kicking the opening goal inside the first minute and putting Southport on the back foot. Bond added another before quarter time, while the Sharks managed just one behind to trail by 11 points at the first break.

Bond again started quickly in the second term, but Southport began to find a response. Some strong work forward of the ball allowed Tayla Christensen to kick the Sharks’ first goal, before Bond answered soon after. Christensen struck again later in the quarter to reduce the margin to eight points heading into half time.

Southport came out with renewed energy after the main break, generating repeat forward entries and putting Bond’s defence under pressure. The Sharks were unable to capitalise on their opportunities, however, with Bond adding the only goal of the quarter to take an 18-point advantage into the final change.

With the season on the line, Southport continued to fight in the last. Scarlett Featherstone kicked the Sharks’ only goal of the second half, but Bond held firm and added another major of its own to secure the premiership.

Steph O’Brien led the way for Southport, with Olivia Meagher and Siobhan Ross also influential throughout the contest. Lily McDonald stood tall in defence, while Christensen and Holly Wall were among the Sharks’ best.

The result brought an end to Southport’s 12-game winning streak and a strong 2026 campaign that included a fourth consecutive minor premiership, with Bond University ultimately taking the honours on Grand Final day.

SOUTHPORT     0.1     2.1     2.2     3.4 (22)
BOND UNIVERSITY     2.0     4.0     5.2     6.4 (40)

GOALS: Christensen 2, Featherstone

BEST PLAYERS: O’Brien, Meagher, Ross, McDonald, Christensen, Wall

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