Whitsunday Sea Eagles host AFLQ Mackay pre-season Carnival in Airlie Beach

Ten teams travelled to Airlie Beach to compete in the contest, with the Whitsunday Sea Eagles women’s squad also rejoining the competition.

The Whitsunday Sea Eagles women's team for 2021. Photo: Contributed

On Saturday the AFLQ Mackay pre-season Carnival returned to the home turf of the Whitsunday Sea Eagles in Airlie Beach.

Ten AFL clubs from across Mackay, Moranbah, the Whitsundays and Townsville put on a show for the competition for the senior men and women’s pre-season carnival shields.

The North Mackay Saints men’s team continued their winning streak from last year’s AFL Mackay premiership to take home the shield in a dominating performance against the Hermit Park Tigers.

The Whitsunday Sea Eagles senior men showed promise with a new look outfit led by captain Alex Rodgers.

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Finishing the day with a win and a loss, this year is full of potential for the young team as they look set to improve on last season.

The senior women played for the inaugural Barb Adamson pre-season Carnival Shield designed as a tribute to the Whitsunday Sea Eagles life member who tragically died last year.

In an all Townsville grand final, the Curra Swans out classed the Hermit Park Tigers for the win in the women’s competition.

The Whitsunday Sea Eagles senior women rejoined the AFLQ competition for the first time since 2018 with a new line-up of enthusiastic players.

AFLQ Mackay pre-season carnival women's competition winners Curra Swans. Photo: Contributed

After a challenging first up contest against an experienced Bakers Creek squad, the Sea Eagles learnt from the first game experience to move forward and gel as a team against the Mackay Magpies.

Captain Georgie Carland rallied the Sea Eagles to come within a goal of the highly decorated Mackay Magpies in a hard-fought second match.

The Sea Eagles women look set to challenge the rest of the AFLQ Mackay competition in 2021.

AFLQ Mackay pre-season carnival men's competition winners North Mackay Saints. Photo: Contributed

The Whitsunday Sea Eagles now look to the AFL Junior Carnival in Moranbah on March 27 to see how the talented junior sides are going to fare for the season.

If you are looking to play AFL or would like to give it a go, the Whitsunday Sea Eagles train on the AFL oval at Whitsunday Sportspark in Jubilee Pocket Tuesday and Thursday nights or email [e-mail]

Originally published as Whitsunday Sea Eagles host AFLQ Mackay pre-season Carnival in Airlie Beach