Tag: Aussie rules football

Three Morningside Panthers Selected for Inaugural AFL Open

Michael Dobbie-Bridges, David McCormick, and Ash Holt will represent Queensland in the groundbreaking 2024 Toyota AFL Open, marking a significant milestone for the Morningside Panthers wheelchair program.

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Morningside Panthers lead the way

The three Panthers players will don the state colours at the inaugural national event, scheduled for 21 to 26 November at South Pine Sports Complex in Brendale.

Dual All-Australian Dobbie-Bridges takes on the player-coach role for the Queensland wheelchair squad.

Holt has emerged as a defensive standout for Morningside in her rookie season, using her exceptional reading of the play and one-on-one skills to shut down opposition attacks.

In addition to their playing duties, the three Panthers representatives bring extensive experience, with McCormick also a multiple-time state representative.

All three maintain dual affiliations with AFL clubs, demonstrating strong pathways between local and elite levels of the sport. Dobbie-Bridges and McCormick are aligned with the Brisbane Lions, while Holt is partnered with the Gold Coast Suns.

About the 2024 Toyota AFL Open Tournament

The 2024 Toyota AFL Open represents a watershed moment in disability sport, combining wheelchair and intellectual disability competitions into a single premier event. More than 200 athletes from across Australia will compete in over 90 matches during the five-day tournament.

The landmark tournament combines the two national wheelchair and intellectual disability AFL competitions:

Toyota AFL Open – Inclusion. Sponsored by APM South East Queensland, the inclusion division is an annual representative competition for participants aged 16 and older with intellectual impairments.

Toyota AFL Open – Wheelchair. Sponsored by Pathways to Care, the wheelchair division features the best athletes from across the country representing their respective states and territories, including a team from the RSL.

Read: Morningside Pioneers New Wheelchair AFL League in Queensland

Panthers supporters can watch the final stages of competition live and free through the AFL Play YouTube channel and Kayo Freebies on 25 and 26 November.

Published 11-November-2024

Morningside Panthers to Join QAFLW in 2025

AFL Queensland has announced that the Morningside Panthers will join the Bond University QAFLW in 2025 alongside Moreton Bay, expanding the competition to ten teams and reinforcing their commitment to growing women’s football in Southeast Queensland.

Read: Panthers vs Sharks: Morningside Face Redland-Victoria Point in Season Decider

Morningside Panthers elite performance and pathways

The Panthers entry into the QAFLW follows their impressive recent form, including a grand final appearance in 2023 and a reserves premiership in QFAW Division 1. These achievements are complemented by the pathways the club has established to support women’s football in the region.

Morningside AFC Seniors Vice President – Women Janet Martin views the move to QAFLW as “a natural and very exciting next step in the journey for female football at the Morningside Panthers.”

The Panthers now offer a complete pathway for female footballers, from under 8s through to senior women. With the launch of their female football excellence program, the club is bolstering development opportunities for athletes.

“Since 2018, Morningside has progressed from just one senior women’s team in the QFAW Division 2 competition to the largest female participation club in Queensland.”

Opportunities and challenges ahead

Competing in the QAFLW will expose the Panthers to tougher opponents, requiring them to elevate their training and performance standards. However, it also presents invaluable exposure and a closer opportunity for their top players to progress to the AFLW.

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As they gear up for the 2025 season, fans can expect thrilling performances from a team eager to prove themselves at the highest level of women’s football in Queensland.

Published 13-September-2024

Panthers vs Magpies: Morningside Dominates Reunion Round

The Morningside Panthers enjoyed a hugely successful day out against the Sherwood Magpies in the Downtown Toyota Premiership Reunion Round. In the marquee QAFL senior match, Morningside defeated Sherwood convincingly by 107 points. Panthers vs Magpies finished 24.12 (156) to 7.7 (49) at the Jack Esplen Oval.

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Across the other grades, Morningside won 4 out of the 5 matches against the Magpies. The only loss came in the QFAW Division 1 Seniors contest where Sherwood edged out Morningside.

Panthers vs Magpies in QAFL

In the QAFL Seniors competition, Cockatoo and Downie led the way with five goals each, with Dadds also contributing four. Other goal kickers for the Panthers included Egan (2), Waters (2), Castle, Hodge, Horne, Lloyd, Lohmann, and Pinchen.

For the Magpies, Austin, Fletcher, and Hude kicked two goals each with a single to Gillett.

The big win sees Morningside’s senior QAFL team maintain their undefeated record after 9 rounds. They sit atop their respective tables with an impressive percentage of 181.48%.

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Morningside fans will have to wait until July 13th for the club’s next home QAFL match. However, the QFAW Division 1 team will play at home against Coorparoo on June 15, Saturday.

Published 07-June-2024