Bundaberg Brothers star Bo Tankey plays for South Queensland AFL rep team

A rising teenage star of Bundaberg’s AFL scene has had her first taste of playing representative football – and it has left her wanting more.

Rising teenage Bundaberg’s AFL star Bo Tankey has had her first taste of playing representative football - and it has left her wanting more. Picture: supplied

Teenager Bo Tankey says her first taste of representative football has inspired her further towards her goal of playing in the women’s AFL national competition.

Brothers Bulldogs star Tankey, 16, played in the backline as South Queensland, coached by Jaimie Stanton, defeated North Queensland 10-14-74-0 at Cazalys Stadium in Cairns last weekend.

It was the first time the south have defeated their northern counterparts in the short history of their rivalry and both Tankey and Scout Strong, who plays for Across the Waves Eagles, were key players in the impressive win.

“They both fitted into the squad right away,” said team manager Kieron Hyndman from AFL Wide Bay.

“Up forward and through the middle Scout was a dominate target, helping set up multiple goals throughout the day.

“Bo ensured the SQ women kept a clean sheet down back, her clean skills and quick feet helped get the ball back into SQ’s attacking half.”

“This is a great outcome for the region as we continue to provide impacting players into the South Queensland teams year on year.”

Bo Tankey (left) in action for South Queensland. Picture: supplied

Bo said her first taste of representative football had all been a little surreal, but she was now keen for more.

“I loved it,” she said.

“I got the opportunity to play with older and more experienced players, so it was really good.

“The whole experience was kind of crazy. I’ve never really been away from my parents for that amount of time.

“The team gelled well both on and off the field and I got looked after and it was a brilliant experience.”

Tankey said she loved working with coach Stanton and her team and now looked forward to further pursuing her goal of playing at the highest level.

“The whole coaching staff were great,” the teenager said.

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Bo Tankey (no. 5, left) says her first game of representative football has further fuelled her desire to play in the AFL’s women’s league. Picture: supplied

“It was good to get to know Jaimie. They talked to us as a team and they also focused on individual players which was great.

“It’s definitely a dream of mine to play AFL women’s in the future. I have been working hard on my game.

“Hopefully I can take it a bit further now.”

In the men’s game, South Queensland led by two points going into the final quarter but their northern rivals kicked six goals to two in the final stanza to win 11.12.78 to 9.8.62.

Jimmy Cullum, who is player coach of Bay Power, and Jarrod Stothard, also from Bay Power were in the final 22 after Dylan Alexander (Power) Jayden Daniel Ollington (Hervey Bay Bombers) unfortunately didn’t make the final 22.

Both Cullum and Stothard played in the back six, with team manager Mark Mason said they both had standout games.

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Scout Strong, team manager Mark Mason and Bo Tankey with the winner's shield following South Queensland's big win over North Queensland. Picture: supplied

“Jimmy was very solid and held the powerful NQ forwards accountable,” Mason said.

“That wasn’t an easy task with them at times getting good service and ball delivery from further up the field.

“Once Stothard felt comfortable playing the quicker-paced football, he started to use his speed to his advantage of half back, impressing so much that he was moved up into the space of centre wing in the last quarter. His tackling pressure was also a stand out for his game.

“Both players can be proud of the way they committed to the program, representing the whole Wide Bay region.”