Ipswich Aussie Rules: 14 rookies on the rise
See the Ipswich youngsters kicking goals on the Aussie Rules pitch with 14 rookies on the rise revealed here. SEE THE LIST
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AFLW Brisbane Lion Kate Lutkins is one of Ipswich’s examples of an Aussie Rules hero, a hard worker with a ‘never give up’ attitude.
Lutkins, a West Moreton Anglican College and Ipswich Girls’ Grammar School Old Girl, didn’t get her start in the AFLW until the age of 28.
Since her debut in February of 2017, Lutkins has been awarded three All-Australian blazers, a premiership and Best on Ground award in the 2017 grand final and a contract extension into 2023 upon other achievements.
It’s only a matter of time before another Ipswich Aussie Rules talent breaks through the ranks.
We will see, but for now let’s run through 14 promising young rookies of the sport
Cross Code talents:
Tom Gillett (Ipswich Grammar School)
Gillett, 16, is a talented sportsman representing Queensland in cricket. Meanwhile he is a top AFL prospect being extremely athletic at a towering 200cm.
Standing at 6’6”, the IGS representative footballer is a big part of the Brisbane Lions Academy.
He is in the Brisbane Lions level 2 U16 academy program and took part in the Sherwood QAFL Senior Pre-Season earlier in the year.
Isaac Olver (Ipswich Grammar School)
Isaac Olver is a 15-year-old all around sportsman excelling at swimming and cricket. He is a big 6’4’ ruckman from IGS who has played State under age football and is part of the U16 Division 1 Sherwood team.
But wait there’s more. He, along with Gillett is a top AFL prospect with the Lions U16 Academy.
Harry Thomson (Ipswich Grammar School)
13-year-old Harry Thomson is an athletic cross-code footballer who attends Ipswich Grammar and plays both Rugby Union and Aussie Rules.
In Rugby, he was part of the all-conquering Ipswich Grammar U14 group who lost one game in four years playing centre or on the wing. In Aussie Rules he is a representative player, who has won two consecutive Division 1 Best & Fairests at the Sherwood Magpies.
Annabel Peacock
13-year-old Annabel Peacock is a multi-sport athlete and is one of the best junior female footballers in South East Queensland She led the Sherwood Magpies to their historic U13 SEQ Juniors Premiership in 2021.
She was awarded best on ground in the Grand Final and took home the club best & fairest to cap off a remarkable year.
Aussie rules:
Kaitlyn Smith (WestMAC)
Smith is a young Aussie rules player from West Moreton Anglican College.
She was selected in the 2021 Queensland School Sport 13-15 Years Girls Merit Team.
Darcy Prest (Sherwood QAFL Seniors)
The 19-year-old Darcy Prest is a young Aussie rules player from Springfield. He played under age state footy all the way through and was part of the Lions Academy.
In his most crucial year of 2020, the season was wrecked by COVID and underwent shoulder reconstruction.
However, he dusted himself off and made his QAFL Senior debut in Round 1 of 2021 and is one of the players to watch in QAFL moving into the future.
Will Cruice (Eddies’)
Will is a smooth mover and great user of the ball from St Edmund’s College Ipswich.
He’s playing senior footy for Sherwood this year alongside Darcy Prest, and is tough as nails.
Ollie Cruice (Eddies’)
Ollie is a Colts player at Sherwood and has raised eyebrows with his attacking football and physical game style. He is a young-gun to watch moving forward.
Jules Cruice (Eddies’)
Along with his brothers from Ipswich, Jules, the youngest, was captain of the Metropolitan West U15 team last year and selected in the QLD U15 side.
Unlike Ollie and Will, he plays at Morningside and is an upcoming talent in youth football circles.
Christiano Cheneka (Collingwood Park Power JAFC)
Chris is new to the club in 2022 and has taken the competition by storm.
His attack on the ball, tackling pressure, and ability to consistently step an opposition player opens up the play and helps his team either clear the backline or surge the ball into the forward 50.
Harrison Bridge (Faith Lutheran College)
Harrison is just 14 years old and is from Plainland. He attends Faith Lutheran College and has played representative footy for the last four years. Bridge was a QLD U12 State player in 2019. He was the Best & Fairest winner in a very strong Division 1 U14 Sherwood team, and plays Division 1 U16 Football at Sherwood in 2022.
He was invited to take part in the QAFL Senior Pre-Season over summer. What a talent.
Ethan Duke (Ipswich Grammar School)
13-year-old Ethan Duke is an elite middle distance runner attending Ipswich Grammar School who also plays representative Australian Rules at a high level. He was Best & Fairest for the Jindalee Jags and was awarded Best on Ground in the U14 SEQ Juniors Grand Final when playing up an age group.
Oscar Kenny (Collingwood Park Power JAFC)
Collingwood Park Under 11 AFl young-gun “Ozzie” is a hardworking midfielder with a long and accurate kick.
He is often seen clearing the ball defensively or hitting the scoreboard himself due to his tremendous gut-running ability.
Riley Brand (Collingwood Park Power JAFC)
Riley is a fierce competitor, who wins plenty of the ball through his quick dash and ability to read the game.
Having played at the club for four years, he is developing into one of the strongest junior players in the Under 10s competition, who racks up the possessions week after week.
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