QAFL Players to Watch, Rookies on the Rise hot tips
Hot tips on the QAFL Players to Watch and Rookies on the Rise nominations from all clubs ahead of the competition starting on Saturday.
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The Aspley Hornets will make a historic entry into the QAFL as clubs prepare for Saturday’s season opening round.
News Corp will provide reports each Sunday throughout the season on the premier community club competition in the state, back by our pictorial team.
The Hornets, established in 1964 and initially developed as a junior club, enter the competition after the NEAFL was disbanded.
“As disappointing as it was to withdraw from the VFL, going back to community football has its advantages,’’ said general manager of football Mark Perkins.
“We now have a direct line for our junior players through to senior football at the highest level in Queensland.’’
The northern suburbs and Moreton Bay Council region is a great nursery for the code and Aspley’s entry is just what the doctor ordered for the competition.
Hornets fast facts
+ established 1964
+ wins six successive premiership, Division 1, QFA (1985 and 1990)
+ After being dropped to Division 2, Aspley reinstated in QFA Div 1 for the 2009
+ Elevated in 2011 to NEAFL
+ Women’s team competes in Queensland AFL Women’s League.
+ Invited into the QAFL for 2022 and coached by Daniel Webster.
So who will be some of the key established Players to Watch in 2022 - and who will be some of the respective club’s Rookies on the Rise?
ASPLEY HORNETS
Established Players to Watch
Former NEAFL captain Jackson Allen returns to the Hornets in an assistant coaching position while playing full back.
Liam Dawson: The former Lions player who will provide leadership and experience to Aspley QAFL line up at either end of the ground
Ben Warren: A former North Melbourne player who will take up a role through the midfield and forward line.
Rookies on the Rise: Josh Chapman, Riley Owens, Will O’Dwyer, Izaak Gejaz, Josh Cooper, Mitch Howsen, Kye McKenzie, Lochy Harrop
LABRADOR
Established Players to Watch
Watch for established forward-back Lachie Henderson and midfielders Cameron Ellis-Yolmen and Andrew Boston to lead the way for Labrador.
Rookies on the Rise:Harry Law (mid/forward), Luke Coombes (wing-forward), Nathan Wright (utility).
SURFERS
Established Players to Watch
Elite ruckman and forward Matt Green will again be a key player in Brad Moore’s Demons’ ’ campaign.
But so will key defender Nick Hay and midfield ace Kain Ford.
Rookies on the Rise: Riley Stone (mid/halfback), Marlin Corbett (midfield).
MT GRAVATT VULTURES
Established Players to Watch
Craig Malone will provide a tower of strength in the ruck for what will be arguably the youngest list in the league.
Luke O’Sullivan will drive the midfield effort and also watch for Dylan Smith down back.
Rookies on the Rise: Zac Young (forward), Liam Corboy (midfield-wing), Marcus Koo (ruck)
“We have worked very hard on our culture on and off the field,’’ said coach Tony Lynn. “We have a great leadership group who have driven training standards and team values throughout the pre-season.’’
MORNINGSIDE PANTHERS
Established Players to Watch
Tough inside midfielder Jimmy Cowlishaw and captain Billy Pendlebury will spearhead another very competitive Morningside campaign. Watch for Pendlebury’s outstanding intercept marking as a backman.
The club is also fortunate to have Brad Hodge - the 2021 Devery Kelly Medallist (Panthers best and fairest) - in the ruck or down forward.
Rookies on the Rise: Kelly Castle as a wing forward who kicked six goals against Maroochydore last year.
Midfield-forward Tom Jeffrey is back from the Aspley VFL side and is a third generation Panther.
Tom Griffiths: The athletic Griffiths is an attacking defender.
MAROOCYHDORE
Established Players to Watch
The Roos will look to powerful full forward Lochie Laing, attacking small backman Jackson Bury, inside midfielder Jake Warren and Sam McLachlan, a big bodied midfielder, to lead the way.
Rookies on the Rise:
Ben Thomas - creative half forward
Damon Eastwell - elite running wingman
Alex Jacobs - reliable backman
BROADBEACH
Established Players to Watch
The Premiers had a gala 2021 and this season will have Brad Lowe, James Gledhill and Liam Nelson as established Players to Watch.
Rookies on the Rise: Ryan Pickering, Riley Winter, Brayden Taylor.
Taylor made his QAFL debut in round 7 against Mt Gravatt last season and didn’t miss a senior game after that.
Pickering had a huge finals series and is still developing his ruck craft. His confidence will be high after a big grand final performance.
SHERWOOD MAGPIES
Established Players to Watch
Toara Morango: He is just 21, but is already a senior player of high calibre who has the potential to be “the best key defender in the competition’’ according to the Magpies coaching staff. He plays full back or centre half back and will always take the opposition’s best forward.
Luke Mitchell: Mitchell is a small defender-midfielder who is an outstanding leader and one of Sherwood’s most experienced players who is approaching 100 senior games. He missed all of season 2020 due to working in the AFL bubble, but bounced back immediately in 2021 with a runner up finish in the best & fairest. At 25 years old, he is coming into his prime years. He is a club junior that is a third generation Magpie who has been at the club since aged five years.
Rookies on the Rise
Jack James: An exciting prospect who has stepped up from Division 1 football with the Beenleigh Buffaloes. He is an experienced player who started playing senior football aged 15-16 years, although this will be his first year in the State League. Expected him to play down back.
Liam Hude: Hude is just 17, and wasn’t far off senior footy in 2021 when he was still eligible for the under 16s. He has an incredible attitude and thirst to improve and should make an impact at senior level in 2022.
Will Cruice: An 18-years-old from colts, Cruice was emergency a few times in 2021 and will be looking to take the next step in 2022. He is a smooth moving midfielder-forward and has plenty of class that should translate to senior football
Lawson Campbell: Lawson is a local junior who is a graduate of three solid years in our colts but plays with maturity beyond his years. He is as hard as they come, and is physically ready for senior footy.
Owen Collins: Collins arrives from Sandgate and looks ready to go despite being just 17 years. He is a tough inside midfielder with great vision and never takes a backwards step, one to watch closely.
NOOSA
Established Players to Watch
Jono Freeman: An ex-Brisbane Lions and Aspley in VFL player who is athletic ruck man and who can go forward. He has been a good pre-season leader.
Tom Templeton: Super fit mid who loves the contest
Tom Rourke: Bourke is a strong bodied midfielder with a penetrating kick.
Rookies on the Rise:Shadeau Brain, Cooper Ogden, Luka Misic
Wilston Grange:
Established Players to Watch
Matt Payne: Arguably the NEAFL’s greatest ever player, Payne in a three-time NEAFL MVP winner, a 10-time club best-and-fairest winner and seven-time NEAFL Team of the Year member.
Matt Eagles: Eagles is a South Australian born key defender who previously played for the Queensland based Yeronga Football Club in the QAFL. In 2016, Eagles appeared in the popular TV show ‘The Recruit’ where he was the eventual winner. He played for the Lions in 2017 and has played in two Premiership winning NEAFL teams. In 2019, he was voted the Andrew Ireland Medal winner in the Grand Final.
Redland-Victoria Point
Established Players to Watch
Matt Hammelmann: He is a proven goal scorer at State League level – QAFL, NEAFL, VFL - and has been in the NEAFL Team of the Year on multiple occasions.
Jack Rolls: Back after a one year stint with Aspley (VFL), he previously played in the NEAFL for Redlands.
Rookies on the Rise
Matt Warren: The 21-year-old junior played an underrated role in the side last year and is set to take another step in 2022
Campbell Aston: Aston, 20, joins from Morningside. Has the ability to play a variety of positions and could be the surprise pick up of the year.
Matt Hambleton: A 20-year-old Canberra product, Hambleton impressed many in 2021 with his maturity. Can do some special things on the field.
ROUND 1
Palm Beach Currumbin v Surfers Paradise
Morningside v Redland-Victoria Point
Mt Gravatt v Sherwood
Aspley Aspley v Wilston Grange
Maroochydore v Labrador
Broadbeach v Noosa
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