AFLQ schools cup quarterfinals: St Andrew’s Anglican College, Mountain Creek State High School, Sunshine Beach State High School and Siena Catholic College qualify
Sunshine Coast school AFL coaches have named their teams’ top players ahead of the AFLQ Schools Cup quarterfinals. SEE THE FULL LIST
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Several Sunshine Coast high schools have stamped their foot on the AFLQ Schools Cup competition with four teams set to compete in quarterfinals in Yeronga on Tuesday September 7.
The teams competing from the Sunshine Coast include St Andrew’s Anglican College, Mountain Creek State High School, Sunshine Beach State High School and Siena Catholic College.
All games will be live streamed through the Courier Mail website.
We caught up with each coach to find out how they’re feeling heading into the finals and which top players from their team will be the ones to watch.
Junior Boys
Siena Catholic College (head coach Aaron Deckys)
“It’s been a good journey for us as a team progressing through each gala day and tournament layout,” Deckys said.
“For the boys to be able to represent the college in their chosen sport is really exciting and I’m sure they’ll make the most of it.”
Tyler Whiteley
“Tyler is our captain and he is one of our bigger bodied and highly talented players,” Deckys said.
“He’s a solid all around footy player with a good boot, good vision, quick pace and can lead the boys around the park well.”
Isaac Waller
“He’s one of our key targets when we’re looking to progress the ball forward,” Deckys said.
“His knowledge and skill of footy is incredibly helpful for us as a team.”
Campbell Zutt
“Is another good up and coming young player,” Deckys said.
“He’s been really useful for us in both attack and defence when we require a bit more structure.”
Senior Boys
St Andrew's Anglican College (head coach Grant Christesen)
“The boys are pretty excited and it’s been really enjoyable as we have a range of senior boys in our squad,” St Andrews coach Grant Christesen said.
“It’s been a credit to the boys in terms of how they've performed on and off the field given the delays and date changes due to Covid-19.
“The great thing about the Schools Cup that player development and retaining talent in the club system.
“I have had several boys in the team who had left AFL years ago now recommit to playing at a club level.”
Cooper Langan
“He is definitely one of our better players and was able to be selected in the under 18s state side this year,” Christesen said.
“His work on the ball and as a key defender for us has been really solid across the tournament.”
Jeshua Morgan
“He’s a really useful player across the park for us and that’s shown through his leadership,” Christesen said.
“He’s great with a contested ball, is really fit and can make the most out of anything when his hands are on the footy.”
Will Bertholini
“Another player who can keep going all day and has great skill on the ball,” Christesen said.
“He’s someone that bags a few sneaky goals each game too which is really useful for us.”
Jack Mills
“He’s another one that has crossed over from athletics so he’s well suited on the wing,” Christesen said.
“Is a very handy player and moves the ball extremely well through the middle.”
Junior Girls
Mountain Creek State High School (coaching staff Peter Bock)
“Everyone's really excited and our junior girls have surprised us all in how well they've gone this season,” Bock said.
“It’s all a great indication of how many of our students are playing club football and we’re now reaping the rewards of the growing female competition.”
Sophie Schulze, Lily Gilliland and Hayley Spivey
“These girls would have to be our top three strongest players being that they have all played in our junior teams for a while now and they’re all solid club players,” Bock said.
“We definitely rely on our year nine students to give us some strength through the middle of the field which they do.
“They all work really well together and are big reasons for the girls success in the tournament so far.”
Sunshine Beach State High School (head coach Shanon Hill)
“The girls cannot believe that they have made it this far and have the ability to represent Wide Bay Met North as champions,” Hill said.
“The girls just take everything in their stride, they are super happy to play sport and also appreciate being able to take time away from study to represent their school in the sport they love.
“Majority of this team play other sports like soccer, touch, netball with about half the team playing for our local club the Noosa Tigers.”
Chloe Murray
“She’s proven to be one of our best players throughout the games,” Hill said.
“She’s fierce, fast and can kick well over 50m in distance.”
Zoe Wood
“Her tackling and agile movements to clear the ball is outstanding,” Hill said.
“She then leads forward out of the pack kicking on to sometimes score for the team.”
Lucy Towndrow
“She’s fast, furious, has excellent ground ball skills and does really well in terms of clearing the pack,” Hill said.
“She possesses great bumping skills and tackles with no fear.”
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