Major AFL grand final win for Cleveland drummers

The Lions missed out on their premiership goal but five drummers from a southside school have had a major AFL grand final win and will provide some of the on-field entertainment on Saturday.

Cleveland District State High School drummers who will be able to combine their love of playing the drums and AFL when they get to play as backing drummers at this year's AFL grand final with band Sheppard at the Gabba: from left, Kobi Strand (year 8), Keegan Krueger (year 12), Will Higgins (year 11) and Lochlan Key (year 10). Pictures: NIGEL HALLETT

The Lions missed out on their premiership goal but five drummers from Cleveland District State High have had a major AFL grand final win and will provide the on field entertainment on Saturday.

CLEVELAND FORMAL PHOTOS

CLEVELAND HIGH FORMAL DANCING

REDLAND BACKDROP FOR YOUNG ROCK

Five percussionists from Cleveland will join a drum line at the Gabba when Brisbane Indie pop band Sheppard takes to the stage to play a special song, which has so far been kept under wraps.

The boys were chosen out of hundreds of drummers across the state and were only given notice of their top-notch gig last week, allowing them only two opportunities to practise together and learn the music written for the occasion.

Riley Higgins, Will Higgins (year 11), Kobi Strand (year 8); Lachlan Key (year 10) and Keegan Krueger (year 12)

They were chosen after strong performances at the Creative Generations talent quest in previous years and will join forces on stage with drummers from St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace.

Cleveland music teacher Ash Higgins said it was a dream come true for the boys to be playing in front of a home crowd of 30,000.

But he said it was difficult keeping the details of the Sheppard song a secret.

“It’s all going to be a surprise for the crowd but it was a bit of a surprise for us too,” he said.

“Because of the nature of the Sheppard song, it was obvious that lots of drummers would be needed and there will be up to 30 on the day.”

Cleveland drummers will back up Brisbane band Sheppard at the AFL grand final.

St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace music director Matt Cocking wrote music for the drum line to fit in with the Sheppard performance and liaised with Chong Lim, John Farnham’s long-time musical director.

The renowned musical director will lead the Queensland Symphony Orchestra which will add to the eclectic mix which will include Sydney band DMA’s and Wolfmother.

Rockhampton duo Busby Marou, known for their hit Best Part of Me, will also perform along with Cub Sport, and Electric Fields will join forces with Brisbane singer Thelma Plum.

Sheppard, which rose to fame with Geronimo and Let me Down Easy, is likely to play at least one of its hits at the halftime break, even though the playlist is a closely guarded secret.