Coaches nominate: QAFL and QAFLW reveal most improved players

The QAFL and QAFLW regular season is coming to a close and head coaches have revealed their side’s ’most improved players’ of 2023. See the full list of talents.

Pictures: Highflyer Images and Brooke Sleep Media.

As the QAFL and QAFLW finals quickly approach, it’s time for coaches to have their next say in our 2023 ‘coaches nominate.’

Throughout the season we have revealed a new lot of special talent, from the toughest and the loudest, to the best ball winners and greatest in the air.

For our final instalment of the year we reveal each side’s most improved player from across the 2023 season.

All coaches were approached for comment before the time of publishing.

QAFL

Broadbeach Cats QAFL player Ben Major in action. Picture: Brooke Sleep Media.

Broadbeach, Craig O’Brien: “Ben Major.”

Aspley, Daniel Webster: “Lleyton Brown, he played division one footy before but now he’s just getting better and better as a regular player in a good side. He’s going to be a 200 game player for the club and he’s building an impressive career.”

Maroochydore, Ben Jones: “Ben Thomas, he’s been able to elevate his game again this year and earnt selection in the state squad.”

Morningside, Paul Egan: “Adam Peak.”

QAFL players Bailey Brown for Labrador and Wil O’Dwyer for Noosa. Pictures: Brooke Sleep Media and Highflyer Images.

Labrador, Clint Watts: “Bailey Brown, a winger who is as fit as they come, trains five and six nights a week to better himself.”

Mt Gravatt, former coach Tony Lynn: “Jake Torney, is only a younger player but is really stepping up to the next level. His consistency every week has been really good.”

Noosa, Chris Rourke: “Wil O’Dwyer.”

QAFL stars Campbell Aston (Redland Victoria Point), Brodie Gardner (Sherwood) and Ned Rosenbrock (Wilston Grange). Pictures: Highflyer Images and Brooke Sleep Media.

Palm Beach Currumbin, Jess Sinclair: “AJ Dawson, I coached him in 2019 and 2020 as a small half forward but he played a bit of half back before going to the wing now which has him top three in our best and fairest as he‘s improved out of sight.”

Redland Victoria Point, Phil Carse: “I’d say Campbell Aston out on the wing.”

Sherwood, Jarad Marsh: “Brodie Gardner, has learnt and developed a fair bit around the structures, what he needs to do and how to play a role at the QAFL level. He only debuted this year after playing a fair bit of second grade but has embedded himself as a part of our side week to week.”

Surfers Paradise, Matt Lappin: “Jalen Curtis.”

Wilston Grange, Brent Moloney: “Ned Rosenbrock.”

QAFLW

Aspley Hornets QAFLW player Gabrielle Roberts and Yeronga star Holly Mills. Pictures: Brooke Sleep Media.

Aspley Hornets: “Gabrielle Roberts. A young gun in her second year of footy who debuted in the Seniors a few weeks ago with a track and field background.”

Yeronga: “Holly Mills. She’s come from Toowoomba and has accepted a challenge given by coach each week, has a drive to improve and is always looking for feedback, improving one-on-one game dramatically.”

Coorparoo Kings player Hannah McLaughlin and Maroochydore Roos star Kaiya Hides have been standouts in the QAFLW 2023 season. Pictures: Brooke Sleep Media and Highflyer Images.

Coorparoo Kings: “Hannah McLaughlin.”

Maroochydore Roos: “Kaiya Hides. She’s always had the talent, her application and work rate this year has taken the next step. She’s come from the clouds.”

University of Queensland: “Erin Gilbert. An academy girl played less than 40 games, getting good wraps of how far she’s made this season. Really athletic, accountable and aggressive.”