Mountain Creek State High School coach tips which players will be the ones to watch ahead of the AFLQ schools cup finals

Mountain Creek SHS AFL co-ordinator Peter Bock has revealed which players will be the key to their teams’ success ahead of the AFLQ schools cup finals. SEE THE FULL LIST

Competition heavyweights Mountain Creek State High School have their eyes firmly on the prize in the AFLQ Schools Cup as finals preparations begin to escalate.

Both senior boys and girls teams will compete in their first finals matches on Wednesday, October 6 in Yeronga, with all matches to be live streamed through the Courier Mail website.

The senior boys will take on Brisbane-based school St Laurence’s College while the girls will come up against Varsity College who are hot off a 48-point win.

We caught up with Mountain Creek AFL program manager Peter Bock to find out how the teams were feeling heading into the finals and which top players from each team will be the ones to watch.

Senior Boys

Mountain Creek State High School senior boys (pictured) and senior girls teams have all qualified for the AFLQ schools cup finals. (L to R) Joel Peters, Mitchell Norlander and Jacob Thomas. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Bock said the real challenge for his team would be against the higher ranked schools teams of the competition.

“Everyone’s excited for it all and it’s been great again to have been able to see who and what we are up against from watching the live-streamed or replayed matches,” Bock said.

“We’re reasonably confident but I know anything can happen in school footy and even sometimes the weather can dictate how the game is played.

“Our goal is always to get to the final four but we know that St Laurence’s are going to be tough.”

Joel Peters

Mountain Creek State High School’s Joel Peters will look to capitalise on his long-range kicking ability. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Joel has an absolute cannon of a left boot and will play in the middle of the field,” he said.

“He uses that to his advantage and sets up a lot of our forward entries.

“He’s been a really good player for a long time for our team so we’re reliant on his performances a fair bit.”

Mitchell Norlander

Mountain Creek State High School’s Mitchell Norlander will again measure up to the bigger bodied opposition players. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Mitch will play fullback and is a really talented sportsman, playing basketball, volleyball and AFL,” he said.

“He normally takes on the biggest opponent in the opposition forward line so that will prove vital again.”

Jacob Thomas

Mountain Creek State High School’s Jacob Thomas will use his big game match fitness to the best of his ability. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Jacob is our small forward target and comes from a surf lifesaving and running background,” he said.

“He is extremely fit so he runs hard and tackles hard all day.

“We look for forward pressure from Jacob and hope to lock the ball down in our forward line for as long as we can.”

Senior Girls

Mountain Creek State High School senior girls (pictured) and senior boys teams have qualified for the AFLQ schools quarter cup finals. (L to R) Zoe Smith, Demi Norton and Neve Underwood. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Bock said he knew what his players were capable of as they headed into the first round of finals.

“We’re up against Varsity who have really improved their footy and I think they were finalists in the junior girls competition last year,” Bock said.

“They’re definitely an emerging threat in our competition and they’ve got some good academy players in their team as well so we’re hoping we have the strike force to match it with them.”

Demi Norton

Mountain Creek State High School’s Demi Norton has excelled for her team throughout the AFLQ schools cup competition. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Demi is a real run and carry type player who will spend some time in the middle and also at half back running on and setting up our attack,” he said.

“She recently played in the Brisbane Lions Academy team and is a really influential player when she has the ball in hand.”

Zoe Smith

Mountain Creek State High School’s Zoe Smith will look to snag a few goals in the quarterfinals of the AFLQ schools cup. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“Zoe is our key forward and has played a number of games for the Maroochydore Roos senior side this year,” he said.

“She is in the Queensland under 19s squad, is a really strong player and gives our forward line good structure.”

Neve Underwood

Mountain Creek State High School’s Neve Underwood will look to perform well for her team once again in the AFLQ schools cup quarterfinals. Photo: Patrick Woods.

“Neve is another who was in the Brisbane Lions Academy and she’ll predominantly play in the middle of the field,” he said.

“She is a very explosive player and has a really good sprinting background on the track and on the beach.

“She always gives us a lot of drive out of the middle and no doubt she’ll be a key player once again.”