SEQ AFL under 17 girls big effort players of the season
Revealed: The SEQ AFL under 17 girls’ big effort players of the season - plus last round’s best players.
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In a catch-up weekend of games which featured less fixtures, Tweed Coolangatta Blues produced “a win for the ages’’ against the highly skilled Maroochy Roos 10.30.
An under 13 player Nikki Sandeman helped Tweed Cooly to victory.
And Victoria Point Sharks had a rousing win over Moreton Bay Lions in the other Div 1 under 17 girls’ clash, 7-8-50 to 3-0-18, while in Div 2 Northern Rivers continued to rumble, and Mt Gravatt-Jindalee had a win.
We cover off those games below, but first let’s pay tribute to some of the competition’s extra effort players, girls who put in that extra stride needed in matches.
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Big Effort Players
Broadbeach
Isla Dowd plays midfield for Broadbeach and has a very big engine which runs all game. She works hard for her team each week both defensively and attacking.
Josephine Plath reads the ball really well and gives it everything for her team. She keeps improving, which is actually a trait across the team. “As a whole the team is improving each week playing some really good team football,’’ said Cats coach James Dofter.
Jamie Stewart is playing her best season as a forward. She attacks the ball really well and is a great team player.
Yeronga
Kiara Dunlop always puts in 100 per cent effort and will win the hard ball, while Bella Wheeler, a first year player, has really impressed as she develops around half back.. She wins a lots of contested footy.
Sienna Morassuti plays wing and midfield and is another great ball winner who provides speed on the outside of the contest. She has a great left boot.
Coorparoo
Coach Scott Harrison said “in our team we have a number of players that regularly give one hundred percent on the field. Those that are always recognised from week to week who bust themselves on the field and lead through their effort’’.
“One player who should also be recognised alongside those who are written about weekly is Ava Ambler. Ava is the captain of our team and very well respected amongst her peers.
Ava has a touch football background and is only in her 3rd year of playing AFL at club level. When asked to who in the team busts their boiler week to week then Ava definitely fits that representation.
As coaches we ask her to step in the midfield and is often playing on opponents with far more experience than her. Ava is still working on her skills but her effort and attitude to gain possession of the ball outweighs that and is always a major ball winner each game.
“Captains at the start of the year are picked from a number of criteria and Ava’s name was at the forefront. During the season she has really solidified her position through her effort on and off the field.’’
Tweed Coolangatta Blues
Jorja Evans has really stepped up the last few weeks and made centre half back her own. She fights for every ball and attacks it like she is playing forward.
Aleah Stringer gives 100 per cent every time she goes out there. She is the general in the Blues midfield and equally as dangerous in contested ball and winning it on the outside.
The last few weeks have seen her rewarded with some goals from her hard work pushing forward.
Mt Gravatt-Jindalee
Coach Damien King said while he mentioned Jessica Hendry, Tarnia King, Jessica McGill, Tahlia Butcher and Lauren Norfolk below, he has a high work rate squad.
“With two teams Mt Gravatt/Jindalee, we are lucky enough to have a few players that even tho not quite as talented as others give 110 per cent effort every week.’’
Jessica Hendry’s unrelenting pressure in defence is never unnoticed. If there is a loose ball you can guarantee that Hendry is there doing her best to win it back for the team.
Tahlia Butcher can never be questioned when it comes to the effort she puts in on game day and at training. “Butch has been rewarded with a senior appearance at Jindalee and preformed well up forward,’’ said coach King.
Tarnia King is one who puts her body on the line in every contest and has an uncanny back of getting her hand on the ball. Tarnia is more comfortable in the backline but has been used on ball and even as a ruck this year.
Jessica McGill is a player that every team needs. Her ability to put the team above herself is unmatched and the guidance she gives her teammates is extremely helpful. Macca is also another who has had a senior debut at Jindalee.
Lauren Norfolk is our number 1 ruckman and she brings effort in spades. Usually a bit shorter than the opposition she attacks every contest like it is her last and makes her presence felt.
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Victoria Point
Captain Chloe Campbell never stops running and is never beaten. She pushes hard in defence from the midfield to help her teammates.
Anneliese Neary never stops running and putting her body on the line whether in the midfield or down in defence.
Georgia Hunt is a hard running, hard tackling player who gives 100 per cent while Annie Wallace who runs herself into the ground to support her teammates.
Maroochydore
Marlee Marshall is the captain and academy player who never stops along with Jemma Foley, another academ, y player who is always among best her team’s best.
Katie Kerr and Hayley Spivey, who is now out with a knee injury, were other noted big effort players.
Wilston Grange
Amelia Turnbull: Whether it is a cold night at training or the last minute of the final quarter, she always puts in 100 per cent effort. “Apparently she’s a football tragic who watches games all weekend and just loves playing footy and is almost always at training trying to improve her game,’’ said Gorillas coach Jamie Sceney.
“She is the sort of player coaches love because you know what you’re going to get week in, week out.’’
Southport
Joerdan Donnelly is small in statue but huge in heart while Amelia Smith is another Southport Sharks’ player who is not big, but who is courageous. She is someone who is always there when there’s hard ball to win.
Surfers Paradise
Coach Chanel Fletcher said it was hard to single kids out because most of the side “give everything they have each game.’’
“Those that are consistent and are often noted would be our captain Alicia Gordon and leader Chaise Montey.
“These two always give 110 per cent on the field.
“They are also players that can be given roles to take on and are always up for the challenge.
“Alicia completely shut down one of the opposition’s talented players which lead us to a win early in the season and Chaise of late has some gutsy contested marks and big run down tackles that are made when the team needs them most.
“Both are talented footballers with unquestionable effort and passion for the football and their team.’’
Wests Juniors
Sammy Snowden and Nicki Shaw are both 100 per cent committed in the contest, willing to play on through injury and cover more ground than anyone, week in, week out, coach Mark McCabe praised.
Sandgate
Hawks skipper Montannah Fabian leads her team by example and gives everything she has each other regardless of the outcome.
Coach Shane Watterson said in addition, Athena Kandilierakis, who fills a number of positions, leaves nothing in the tank.
“Ruby Austin is new to the game with plenty of pace who gives everything to try and win the footy, while Tara Bettington defends with absolutely everything she can give, week in, week out,’’ Watterson said.
In Div 1 action, Tweed Coolangatta Blues had a big win despite being low on numbers due to illness.
“We played with 15 girls, three of them still a little off colour and four of them undoers 15’s - we even had an under 13 player,’’ said a proud Blues coach Dave Palmucci.
“Our mantra on Sunday was nothing easy, and we fought, tackled, competed and harassed today like our life depended on it.
“Every single girl out there dug in deep and played their role and we managed to pull off an amazing win 21-6.
“Eva White and Nakeisha Drew-Perkiss were simply outstanding rotating from half back and mid.
“Our three way ruck combo of Lunna Elkerton, Izzy Boucher and Hailey Flynn were giving us great drive out of the middle and our outside runners provided the run and carry going inside 50.
“I could mention everyone really, but special mention to Nikki Sandeman for stepping up from Under 13s and holding her own, and so close to snaring a couple of goals.
It was a great win.’’
Maroochy coach Yates said his side lost because they did not do the little things right.
“Like attack the ball, not playing in front, forwards not applying pressure.’’
“But our backline played really well.
Billie Missen and Lataya Depauw were best, along with captain Marlee Marshall who was solid as usual.
Two unheralded players have been rock solid for Yates in the last two games - Lily Yates and Sienna Dickey. Both were backline players.
Also Dakota Gilbert came back from an ankle injury and played really well.
In Div 2 action, Northern Rivers continued to build nicely in the run to the end of the season with an 88-point win over Everton Wolves.
“With the return of a few injured players and assistance from our highly motivated 15s, we were determined to build on the structure and pace of our team,’’ said coach Steve Foreman.
“The Tigers Girls were straight out of the blocks from the opening bounce with classy and connected play.
“Once again ruck superiority led by Billi Hutton had our centre line controlling the ball giving us repeat entries into our forward line.
“Roving from explosive centres Allanah McNally, Milly Ella, Wren Hynes and Summer Browning gave our forwards plenty of scoring opportunities.
“Our dominance through the centre corridor had the Wolves defending wide. Our wingers and Centre Half Back line really came into play with Erin Lanyon, Ari Brown and Bonnie Starling providing sharp linkage and reloading our attack forward. Sundara Seymour, returning from injury was outstanding in a sweeping role through the back of the centre square and relentless defence from Savannah Hampson was a real feature.
“Our planned approach of rotating a number of key players through defence and forward lines worked well. Stand out versatility players were Madi Power and Heidi Grimster who was lethal in front of goal.’’
Dana Ward, Milly Morris, Layla Scholl and Elise Devery played great roles both forward and Defence.
Best Players Tigers:. Allanah McNally, Billi Hutton, Wren Hynes, Heidi Grimster, Bonniec Starling, Milly Ella, Ari Brown, Madi Power.
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