Sunshine Coast coaches name key players, aims ahead of 2022 AFLQ Schools Cup finals

Coaches from the remaining four Sunshine Coast teams have revealed their aims and standout players ahead of the AFLQ Schools Cup finals at Maroochydore.

AFLQ Schools Cup players to watch include Rogue Hollis, Brock, Sophie Jenkins, Amber Swan, Charlie and Eddie Thomas.

Four Sunshine Coast school Aussie rules teams remain in the hunt for the state title of the 2022 AFLQ schools cup.

From 612 teams the remaining 30 include Peregian Springs State School (primary male), Mooloolaba State School (primary male and female) and Mountain Creek State High School (senior female) after progressing through the regional and South East Queensland fixtures.

The finals will be played at the Maroochydore Multisports Complex on Fishermans Rd from Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 16, 2022.

Games from all three fields will also be live streamed through KommunityTV.

We caught up with coaches and teachers to find out their aims for the finals and which players they named as ones to watch.

Mountain Creek State High School

Senior female coach Peter Bock said he was excited to be taking another strong Mountain Creek outfit to the finals after their efforts in 2021.

“We’re really looking forward to having the opportunity to have Mountain Creek SHS senior girls back in AFLQ Schools Cup finals, AFLQ does a great job showcasing school AFL and it is really special to be a part of it,” he said.

“This year our senior girls had an epic game in the semi finals against Kedron SHS at Metricon Stadium where we won by just one point and we have been riding high since then.”

Rogue Hollis (C), Amber Swan (C), Hayley Edgar, Zali Bubb, Hayley Spivey and Lily Gilliland from Mountain Creek State School are preparing for the AFLQ Schools Cup Finals. Picture: Patrick Woods

Bock said he would be looking towards his team’s captains for more inspirational performances.

“Our girls are led by captains Rogue Hollis and Amber Swan who have been playing senior club football this year,” he said.

“They both provide us with experience and a fierce competitive edge.

“We also get lots of drive forward from our mids Ruby Hersey and Lily Logan with Kiarra Peut and Hayley Edgar our leading goal kickers finishing off their good work.”

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

“We are optimistic about our chances but understand the growth in female football and especially in schools has been huge and these finals games are going to be of a very high standard,” he said.

Mountain Creek SHS have Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, St Andrews Catholic College and Varsity College in their pool.

Peregian Springs State School

Team manager Darren Ratten said he was thankful to have even nominated a team after Covid-19 and staff shortages initially required the school to withdraw.

“At the very first round of the carnival in June at Noosa we had to withdraw our team due to an inability to provide supervising staff and coaches,” he said.

“However our local community rallied and the local Coolum Breakers Junior Football Club, offered to assist by providing coaches and support.

“This offer allowed us to return to the carnival and participate and so we are very appreciative of Dan Fisher for coaching and training all the way through to the state final.”

Charlie, Cobey, Seb, Brock, Tommy, Chase and Jack from Peregian Springs State School are preparing for the AFLQ Schools Cup Finals. Picture: Patrick Woods

The primary male team is made up of 13 year 6 and six year 5 students who had been training twice a week in the lead up to the carnival.

“The boys are fit and the best prepared they can be,” he said.

“From the first qualifying games at Noosa through to the regional finals in Brisbane our aim as a team is to have fun and enjoy our footy.

“We give our personal best effort and that is the most we ever expect so teachers and parents are very proud whatever the result may be.”

Ratten said the boys were looking forward to their pool matches against Emmanuel College and St Laurence’s College.

“We have nine boys in the team who represented the Noosa district and one player who went on to represent the Sunshine Coast region,” he said.

“As a school we are proud of the way the boys have conducted themselves at the carnival so far on and off the field.”

Mooloolaba State School

Deputy Principal Paul Little was proud of both his team's efforts as the primary girls team were looking to defend their 2020 and 2021 titles and the primary boys team were having their first taste of finals footy.

“Our AFL program has grown over the past couple of years and the players are very excited to make it to the state finals,” he said.

“They are really looking forward to putting all the training into practice this Friday on the field.

“The girls have had some success over the past couple of years and the boys are especially excited having watched the girls do so well in the two previous years.”

He said each team had players that were able to take control of the match.

“Both teams are really balanced, our defence has been very solid, our middles work tirelessly and we have some strike forwards,” Little said.

“Both teams have a sense of competitiveness and we don’t like to single out individuals because if we are to win it will require a whole team performance.”

Mooloolaba State School 2022 AFLQ Schools Cup primary girls captains, Sophie Jenkins and Isabella Dunton and primary boys captains Eddie Thomas and Cayden Noke.

Little said his players were excited for the coming matches.

“We are growing a proud list of achievements in a number of sports and our students, when given the opportunity, throw themselves into it wholeheartedly and their hard work delivers great results,” he said.

“Our aim is to play our best footy of the year so far, if we all do our job, we know we will be competitive and the results should take care of themselves.”