AIC AFL Footy Best and Fairest players revealed
Who were the best AIC AFL footy stars of 2023? We reveal our Best and Fairest Players here, along with the Most Improved and Unsung Heroes in a competition which reaches its climax on Friday.
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To celebrate another amazing schoolboy season of the booming First XVIII AFL Footy, we name the AIC’s Best and Fairest players, along with the most improved and unsung heroes.
The squad includes some of Queensland’s most promising up-and-coming AFL talent, including Brisbane Lions Academy members who have been kicking goals for their school over the last two months.
RELATED LINKS
AIC FIRST XI TEAM OF THE SEASON
BRISBANE LIONS MOVE ON AIC TALENT
On Friday, a colossal clash between Padua College and Villanova College awaits, with the premiership on the line for the Leaping Wildcats.
If they come out on top, the spoils will be shared between Villa, St Laurence’s College and Marist College Ashgrove.
THE BEST AND FAIREST
Jake Fazldeen, Hugo Crawford and Frasier Lay (Villa)
These Leaping Wildcats were something special when in the action this year.
Often they had commitments with the Brisbane Lions Tier Three Academy but when they could play they were a class above.
The trio organised the team, meaning the coaches didn’t have to coach.
That’s how easy they made it for their teammates out on the paddock and for their coaches on the sidelines.
Coach Darren Fazldeen said this was the case, praising the way Crawford, Lay and Fazldeen directed their troops when injected.
Indeed Villa looked like a polished side with these three leading the charge.
RELATED LINKS
MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE CLAIMS AIC FIRST XI PREMIERSHIP
15 UNSUNG HEROES OF THE AIC FIRST XI
Will Munro (St Laurence’s)
A Year 11 student, Munro was new to the College in 2023 and had an immediate impact.
He brought poise, professionalism, leadership and a vast understanding of the game. The youngster was a consistent force off the half back this year, and would have arguably led the competition in intercept marks.
He is a player to watch in the years to come.
Ben Morrison (St Laurence’s)
The year 10 student quickly found a home at 4.45pm on a Friday night in the open’s. Morison showed incredible strength and power for a younger student, and often could be seen out-bodying bigger opponents or exploding away from contests. These attributes make him hard to miss…that is if you don’t spot the bright green headgear first.
Jersey No.26 will be remembered as a prolific goal scorer.
Lachlan Warwick (St Laurence’s)
The team’s vice-captain, Warwick has been a part of the team since 2021. A move from the backline to the midfield this year proved to be instrumental and turned Warwick into one of the most consistent midfielders of the competition.
A level headed, blue collar worker, he very rarely had a bad day. Warwick was as reliable as they come.
Jack Kalan (St Laurence’s)
Another student who has been a part of the 1st XVIII since 2021 and a co-vice-captain, Kalan was at the core of Laurie’s success.
He was dependable, hard to beat in a one-on-one contest, and you always knew he was going to empty the tank.
No one wore the black and gold jersey more proudly than Kalan.
Tyan Prindable (St Laurence’s College)
If a game of footy went for five hours, Prindable would want to play every minute. An absolute work horse and quality midfielder, Prindable had his game elevated to another level this season.
Starting for the second straight year, and only in grade 11, the college community has no doubt he will be back for another big season in 2024.
Joe Byers (St Patrick’s)
Byers finished first in Paddies’ best and fairest votes, playing a hybrid position where he was called upon in the middle and upfront.
He scored off both feet and was the shining light for Paddies.
Noah Pulinsky (St Patrick’s)
The Year 10 had a quiet first few games but really found his strap in the middle of the season.
Coach Brent Evans said he can’t wait to see what he brings in season 2024.
Tafito Falaniko-ahki (St Edmund’s)
A skilled sportsman and talented midfielder who is foreign to the game coming from a rugby background.
Falaniko Ah-ki is well balanced and attacks the ball with a fierce competitive nature that simply cannot be taught.
Robert Hinkler, Zane Pearce, Damon Dunlop and Ben Lillico (Iona)
Robert Hinkler, Zane Pearce, Damon Dunlop and Ben Lillico led the charge for Iona this season.
Ruckman Hinkler, a Lions Academy member, led by example and around him midfielders Pearce and Lillico feasted.
Pearce and Lillico made a young and the old pairing – Year 12 student Pearce was the seasoned captain and Lillico a new chum from the Year 10s. Down back, Year 12 student Dunlop was a tower of strength as the Iona’s vice-captain.
Hayden Hall (Padua College)
Hayden Hall was Padua’s most consistent player all year. “He has had some great individual moments during the season,’’ praised Padua coach Tom Giuliano.
Michael Romelo, Reagan Andriske (Ambrose Treacy)
Michael Romelo has silky skills, lightning speed, and was dominant in each game he played. Meanwhile, Reagan Andriske had great year, an inspirational leader who played every minute of every game as a midfielder.
Jack Thompson, Ned Rosenbrook, Will Ford (Marist College Ashgrove)
Jack Thompson starred in the midfield early in the season until an arm injury caused him to miss games.
Ned Rosenbrook led by his actions, his aggressive yet disciplined footy set the scene from the first bounce each week.
Will Ford had lots of carries from the midfield and half back, combining unbelievably well with his strike weapons up front.
And last but certainly not least, Munroe Wood, a dynamic midfielder with a hard edge.
The other half of twin George racked up possessions and tackles.
RELATED LINKS
AIC SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP REPORT
AIC FOOTY BEST AND FAIREST – ROUND 6
VILLANOVA
There were a number of players at Villanova who improved significantly throughout the AFL season, said coach Brian Pascoe. A couple were boys who had a background in AFL such as Jackson Dalrymple and Isaac Lynch who both developed in confidence and their intent that made them far mor effective in their roles on the half forward flank and the ruck.
Pascoe said oOther players that showed great improvement through the season and were new to AFL included Lachlan Brown, Joey Watson, Caden Griffiths who played through the wing and half forward flank ensuring the ball transitioned into the forward line. Both Jackson Connor and Jackson Moloney became valuable targets in the forward line.
UNSUNG HARDWORKERS
Ned Rosenbrock (Ashgrove)
Rosenbrock was an easy choice for coaches Brett Gillett and Matt Beattie, the Wilston Grange senior footballer set the highest of standards for his teammates throughout the year at training.
Rosenbrock, like the Patrick Beverley of the NBA, is one of those players you hate to play against but love to have on your team, such is his competitive nature.
Joseph Elisseos and Jack Williams (St Laurence’s)
Both are both Year 11 students and both had an unspoken impact on this year’s 1st XVIII Squad for Laurie’s. As development players, these boys played only a handful of games during the season but were integral to St Laurence’s overall team success.
They didn’t miss a beat in training and in games. They were always present, engaged and willing to do extras.
“They would run water, be goal umpires, assist in running duties, if you asked for help – they would do it,’’ said head coach Sam Wiltshire.
“After a big Friday night of supporting their teammates, they could then be found on a Saturday supporting our Primary students. The impact they had on the group was enormous, and they deserve a lot of credit for what they have done for the culture of our program.’’
VILLANOVA
The backline for Villa comprised students who did not have a background in AFL although a couple played in last years AIC AFL season, said coach Brian Pascoe. Mitchell Voss, Benny Lawrence, Ben Addley, Max Downie and Will Serafini working through the backline playing the role defined for them which generally is unsung however made it difficult for opposition teams to score. Pascoe said hard at it in training, White is the guy to put his head over the ball at any time — you will find him at the bottom of the pack.
Even his coach has to keep him out of it because he’s had that many head knocks. That’s the type of player he is—physical and aggressive.
Tom Bowers (St Patrick’s)
Bowers is the prime example of what you want out of a captain.
The Paddies skip did not miss one session all year, leading his side through his actions at training and in games.
Casey Burger (St Patrick’s)
Burger wasn’t unlike Bowers in that he was a great leader for his teammates.
The blonde dynamo, the Paddies school captain.
Archie Watts, Bryn Corten, Lachlan Sey, James Purdy (Iona)
Year 10 Lions Academy member Archie Watts held his end of the bargain up in the hurly burly of senior footy, and together with Bryn Corten (Year 11) and senior students Lachlan Sey (Year 12) and James Purdy (Year 12), he was very much an unsung hero of the season.
Harrison Bau (Padua College)
Bau was a real Mr Fit-it who always played his role extremely well without getting the credit he deserved.
Robert Brown, Jayme Polkinghorne, Conrad Browne and Lochlan Perry (St Edmund’s)
St Edmund’s coach Michael Podolak said his whole team worked hard, but notable mentions went to Robert Brown and Jayme Polkinghorne across half back. “They kept the scores from blowing out of control in many games,’’ he said. He said Polkinghorne led his team after moving from back flanker to a spine position – centre half back.
“It’s a testament to his improvement in the game,’’ Podolak said about Polkinghorne moving from somewhere he wasn’t sure of having him to marking the opposition’s best forwards. “Conrad Browne and Lochlan Perry were also very good through the midfield.’’
Finn Mahoney and Toby Rutch (Ambrose Treacy)
Finn Mahoney took a while to get going in the season but once moved to his preferred position as inside mid, he played above his size and was reliable as ever.
Toby Rutch, the wingman, covered more kilometres than a backpacker running up and down the field each game.
MOST IMPROVED
Isaac Roach and Liam Rice (Ashgrove)
The red-headed Roach and Year 10 Rice have been huge improvers for the boys in Blue and Gold this year.
Roach made one of the plays of the season in the Cameron-Matthews Cup clash against Padua, breaking their hearts on the stroke of full time with a match winning deflection.
Villanova
The most consistent players for Villanova played mainly on the ball including Daniel White, Oscar Tanks and Larry Clarke ensuring plenty of forward entries and working hard to ensure the ball remained forward. Coach Brian Pascoe said Charlie Corrigan in his role of centre half forward and Kieran Micheletti the centre half back were both effective in organising their end of the field.
Isaac Noal (Padua College)
Isaac Noal was a coach’s dream according to Padua head mentor Tom Giuliano. “He has been so easy to coach. He always comes to ask for advice and always takes on feedback positively.’’
Noah Burley (St Patrick’s)
In his first season playing, Burley was committed from the get-go to translate his rugby skills onto the AFL pitch.
That’s exactly what he did, and in fine fashion. After Paddies final game of the season, coach Brent Evans praised the way Burley kept improving week-to-week, touching up on different aspects of his game.
St Edmund’s whole squad
“Unlike most of the competition, we only have three players in the squad of 30 that are traditional AFL club players,’’ said coach Michael Podolak.
“Therefore considering we have to teach the basics of kick and handball then throw them into a high level competition speaks volumes of the students willingness to give a new sport a go. “Only eight weeks ago players didn’t know what a kick in was or what the protected space is around a free kick is.’’
Levi Hawea, Ewan Fisher, Nick Bragger (Iona)
The future of Iona College footy will be in good hands when the 2024 season swings around. Year 11 students Levi Hawea, Ewan Fisher and Nick Bragger all got better and better as the season progressed, and will be wiser for the experience this season.
Riley Clarke (St Laurence’s College)
Clarke is a Year 11 student who quickly fast tracked into one of Laurie’s most important players.
The development and growth Clarke has shown over such a small period of time is extremely impressive.
He is a hardworking midfielder, who displays enormous courage, can kick both sides of his body and knows how to hit the scoreboard.
It goes without saying Clarke is one to watch in 2024.
Joseph Drane and Aidan Brennan (Ambrose Treacy)
Joseph Drane had hardly played AFL before this year and was first picked every week with his great attitude and reliability to beat his opponent each time.
Aidan Brennan played a new position in the second half of the season and that proved to be a great move.
The super reliable Brennan possessing the ability to read play extremely well.
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