Coaches nominate: Top rising stars and best young players of QAFL, QAFLW

With the 2024 QAFL, QAFLW season well and truly underway, competition coaches have shined a light on their side’s key rising star. See the full list of up-and-coming young talents.

QAFL, QAFLW coaches nominate. Pictures: Highflyer Images, Craig Slaney Sports Photography and Brooke Sleep Media.

Coaches nominate is back for another year and with the 2024 season underway, senior coaches from across the QAFL and QAFLW have had their say on a range of new topics.

Each round we will reveal who has stood out from each club, diving into unique topics such as best-one-on-one player, most underrated, craftiest forward and more.

This week we uncover the players who are just beginning to carve out their senior footy career, while making a name for themselves as ones-to-watch.

Check out what the coaches are saying.

QAFL

Broadbeach, Danny Nolan: “Adam Hull is a forward that’s trying his best and developing and doing everything right. Taine Dawson is a ruck/forward, he’s just competitive, loves the club and gives his all.”

Broadbeach Cats QAFL player Adam Hull. Picture: Highflyer Images.

Labrador, Clint Watts: “Jack Turner is a defender/midfielder that came from the youth system at Southport, he trains hard and does everything right. Mason Field is young and came to us as a small forward but we can also swing him back as a small defender. He kicks efficiently, tackles and defends hard.”

Maroochydore, Steve Wildschut: “Two players come to mind which would be Bailey Hahn and Hudson Vivian. Bailey picked up the rising star award earlier in the season and Hudson has been among our better players for the past couple of weeks.”

Maroochydore QAFL talent Hudson Vivian in action. Picture: TJ Yelds Sports Photography

Aspley, Adrian Pilgrim: “I’d go with Lleyton Brown as our young-gun and rising star. He’s stepped up into a leadership role this year and gets a great balance of defence and offence. He’s growing as a leader and his ability to read the game is quite impressive for a player of his age.”

Morningside, Paul Egan: “That would be Harry Taylor. He took home the Colts best and fairest medal last season while also playing a few seniors matches. He trains his backside off, never misses a beat and is a good young fella.”

Noosa Tigers player Billy Bowes. Picture: Craig Slaney Sports Photography.

Noosa, Matthew Leuenberger: “We’ve got a few, especially this season with a young group but I’d go with Billy Bowes. He’s got some x-factor about him and does some things on the field that are quite difficult to teach.”

Redland Victoria Point, Phil Carse: “Byron Finch is a Southport aligned 19-year-old. He kicked 35 goals in the QAFL last year, and already has bags of six in a few games this year. He’s a really talented small forward with a beautiful left boot, and he knows how to get to the right spot all the time. Dan Annable played six senior games last year and just turned 16. He’s with the Lions Academy and has played sensational footy. He’s put on a lot of size this year and is a fairly lean, really courageous midfielder. I picked him at the start of the year as a player that’s a good chance to play Allies.”

Sherwood, Brett McEvoy: “Isaac McCarthy played division two seniors last year. He came into twos in the first (practice) game for Sherwood, made 25 tackles and was more worried about the one tackle he missed. He’s been playing seniors since then, and can go up forward, down back, and is good through the middle. He’s built strongly, and I’m not sure how he’s not still part of any academy program.”

Surfers Paradise QAFL player Hamish Anderson. Picture: Highflyer Images.

Surfers Paradise, Matt Lappin: “Ben Woodburn is a young midfielder who seems to bring a bit of energy to the group. He’s a real character and the best tackler and pressure player. Hamish Anderson is a winger, he had a good pre-season, is really reliable and consistent on the wing, and runs all day in the right spots.”

Wilston Grange, Brent Moloney: “We’ve got 10 players in the Lions academy so we’ve got a number of good young players but from our current club crop I would say Archie Smith. He started the year strong in seniors and he’s only sixteen so he’s hard to ignore.”

Mt Gravatt, Hamish Mitchell: “Ryan Durrant probably. He’s only 17-years-old but covers plenty of areas and positions on the field.”

Palm Beach Currumbin, David Armitage: “Fred Valpied was nominated for the rising star in round four and has been solid. He’s a rebounding half back with a silky left foot, incredible endurance, and incredible speed. A very good player and was with the North Ballarat Rebels.”

• SEQ under-17 girls: Most versatile players
  
• QAFL colts: Why the comp’s top five is firing; best players so far
  

QAFLW

Aspley Hornets, Luke Glacken: “We’ve got a few this year again but I’d say Jamie Bryant. She’s only a young player but has had some strong interest from representative teams and is starting to find her feet.”

Maroochydore Roos player Abbey Rankin. Picture: Highflyer Images.

Maroochydore, Paul Magher: “Abbey Rankin probably fits this topic again. She’s 17-years-old, has come to the Sunshine Coast to go to university and has added plenty already to our side.”

Bond University, Andy Lovell: “Abbey Bevan is our young rising star. She’s a really mobile tall that can play tall centre half forward or full forward. She’s played in the ruck and is a raw talent that takes ripping contested marks. Is showing signs of being a ripping player.”

Wilston Grange, Phil Tonkin: “Summer Hamilton for sure there. She’s playing at half forward this season after debuting in round one. She’s been in the votes most games and is just a player that gets it. She gets footy, knows where she needs to be, has a great turn of foot and is a player with good raw talent.”

Wilston Grange player Summer Hamilton in action. Picture: Clyde Scorgie/Brooke Sleep Media.

UQ, Ross Clayfield: “Ashleigh Moyle played Queensland last year as bottom-ager. She’s top-age this year, and her ability to take the game on and straight line running is super impressive.”

Coorparoo Kings, Rory Lake: “Kalei Brighton plays ruck, which is a lacking position for the team and she’s come in and played her role. She’s been unbelievable and

just keeps getting better and better and practising her craft. Mabel Dart is with the Lions Academy. She made her debut in round four and is competitive and athletic.”

Yeronga, Stuart Mackay: “Pre-season wise Abigail Lunson did a lot. She’s thrown herself into senior club footy and was rewarded with the number one jersey which is a legacy left by Emily Bates. It’s a special number made relevant by Bates and Abigail is stepping into that role well.”

Southport Sharks, Peter Doherty: Was unavailable for comment prior to the time of publishing.