AFL in Queensland: Top 30 prospects ready to shine

The Sunshine State has been a strong AFL nursery for decades, and this year’s Top 30 Queensland Footy Prospects continue that tradition. SEE WHO MADE THE LIST

The Sunshine State has been a strong AFL nursery for decades, and this year’s Top 30 Queensland Footy Prospects continue that tradition with exciting talent emerging from North Queensland down to the South East corner.

Fleur Davies, 17

Position: Key Forward / Ruck

Honours: 2022 National Academy, QLD U15, QLD U18, SUNS Academy since 15, Southport Senior Women Premiership player 2021.

Fleur is a versatile tall at 185cm with the athletic attributes to compete at a high level both as a key forward and a ruck. She has fantastic hands and great skills. She comes from a talented sporting bloodline with her older sister Giselle being drafted to the SUNS AFLW team last year and her father playing rugby for Wales, with her two younger sisters Darcie and Georja also being valuable members of the SUNS Academy.

Josie McCabe, 16

Position: Mid / Forward

Honours: Gold Coast SUNS Academy U17s 2021, Gold Coast SUNS Academy U18 2022.

Josie is a talented Burleigh junior. She plays as a tall mid and can rotate forward to hit the scoreboard when necessary. She is super competitive and isn’t afraid to put her head over the footy. Josie is one of the hardest workers on and off the field in the Academy and she has a very bright future.

Jed Walter, 16

Club: Palm Beach Currumbin

Position: Key Forward

Honours: 2022 National Academy, 2021 SUNS Academy U19 debut, 2021 U17 QLD, QLD U12, QLD U15, All Australian U15.

Jed is a deserving member of this year’s AFL National Academy as a bottom age player. He plays his best footy as an explosive key forward but can pinch hit in the ruck due to his incredible leap, power and 194cm frame. Jed made his debut for the SUNS Academy U19 team last year as a 15-year-old against the Dandenong Stingrays, where he impressed with this composure and ground level work. He recently had some experience training with the Gold Coast SUNS AFL team.

Palm Beach Currumbin's Jed Walter. Picture: Peter Wallis

Jared Eckersley, 17

Club: Broadbeach Cats

Position: Versatile Midfielder

Honours: QLD U17 2021, QLD U15 x 2, All Australian U15, NAB Academy U17 Captain, U17 QLD, SUNS Academy since 13.

The 191cm young star has shown great resilience since returning from a serious back injury in 2020. He represented QLD in 2021 and starred in his role in a game against the Mt Gravatt U21s side. He is extremely versatile and can play any position on the ground if necessary. He has exceptional foot skills and speed to match. Jared did some training with the Gold Coast SUNS AFL team before Christmas.

Ethan Read, 16

Clubs: Palm Beach Currumbin, SUNS U16.

Position: Ruck

Honours: SUNS Academy since 12, 2022 SUNS Academy member.

Ethan made a name for himself in an academy trial match in 2021 as a bottom age player. His cleanliness at ground level and high skill level for his height (196cm) are key attributes that stand out when watching Ethan play. At just 16 years of age, Ethan will hopefully play a big role in the Academy for years to come.

Ella Smith, 17

Clubs: Aspley, Sandgate

Position: Wing

Honours: National Academy 2022, QLD state team 2021. National U19 Rowing Team.

Ella is the ultimate professional – she mentally and physically prepares to do her best in everything she does and has represented Australia in rowing. Her ability to break the lines and use football IQ to play the wing role in any team she represents is outstanding.

Ella Smith. (Russell Freeman/AFL Photos)

Ava Seton. (Highflyer Images)

Ava Seton, 17

Clubs: University of Qld, West Juniors

Position: Inside Mid

Honours: Best Players Lions L2 2021.

Ava is an excellent inside mid, who can win the contested ball, but also win the ball around the ground due to her running capacity. She possesses the ability to burst away from the stoppage and hit a target. A very competitive player with great aerobic endurance.

Jaspa Fletcher, 17

Clubs: Sherwood Magpies, Coorparoo

Position: Midfield / Half Forward

Honours: 2022 National AFL Academy 2021 Queensland U19 Team.

Jaspa is a talent young footballer with great football pedigree with father Adrian playing over 200 AFL Games. Jaspa has great athleticism with the ability to win his own football and uses it exceptionally well.

Jack Manly, 18

Club: Wilston Grange Gorillas

Position: Inside Midfield / Forwards

Honours: 2021 Queensland U17 team, Senior QAFL Football with Wilston Grange.

Jack is a multi-sport talented athlete with also having played cricket for Queensland underage teams. He has a great ability to win his own ball on the inside but also has a damaging left foot.

Tom Gillett, 16

Club: Sherwood Magpies

Position: Key Forward / Ruck

Honours: Multiple schoolboys representative honours.

At 200cm and contested marking beast, Tom is a highly skilful player with very good footy IQ and good touch below his knees. He’s a multi sport athlete who is a new ball bowler in state cricket teams.

Alex Pope, 15

Club: Victoria Point

Position: Mid / Wing

Honours: 2021 state schoolboys.

Alex is a highly skilled player that kicks the ball exceptionally will with both feet. He has high football IQ and combines his high speed with solid endurance.

Zimra Hussein, 16

Club: University of Queensland

Position: Midfield

Honours: Queensland Schoolgirls Team 2020/2021, Outstanding Contribution from a New Queenslander Award as part of Multicultural Queensland Award Winners 2021

A Pakistani refugee, she moved to Australia when she was 10 and began playing AFL in Toowoomba. Zimra has a unique ability to find the footy in congestion, deliver to a teammate and then follow up to receive another possession. She executes well by hand and foot and is extremely competitive. Zimmy is an exciting prospect coming through the Academy for the next couple of years.

Phoebe Baird, 18

Clubs: Aspley, USQ Cougars

Position: Wing

Honours: QLD state side 2021, 2019 Heather Green Medallist for Womens Best & Fairest in the Darling Downs league.

Phoebe’s left foot is outstanding as it has accuracy and penetration, and she has the ability to break lines with run and carry.

Sophie Peters, 16

Club: Maroochydore

Position: Mid

Honours: Brisbane Lions Academy U18 squad.

Sophie is a great person, very coachable and has a great football IQ. She is very good in close and uses her agility and pace to get away from the contest. Also gets forward and can be a goal kicker.

Nathan Jensen, 16

Club: Caloundra

Position: Ruck

Honours: Brisbane Lions Academy U18 squad.

Nathan has a great vertical leap, is aggressive and extremely coachable. He is a great competitor on the field and is one to watch in future years as an up and coming developing ruckman.

Shadeau Brain, 17

Club: Noosa

Position: Mid / Half Forward

Honours: Member Brisbane Lions Academy U18 squad.

Shadeau is an extremely hard worker and has a great knowledge of the game. Fantastic person and a very smart footballer. Understands the game and has the ability to break the game apart when in and around the contest. Is also dangerous around goal.

Kiara Hillier, 17

Clubs: Maroochydore, Kawana

Position: Key Defender

Honours: Best Players Lions L2 2021.

Kiara is a very competitive and reliable tall defender. She tends to have a great balance between defence and attack. She is the leader of the Brisbane Lions defence.

Indi Williams, 16

Club: Hervey Bay Bombers

Position: Ruck / Key Position

Honours: Member Brisbane Lions Academy U18 squad.

Indi has spent the past couple of years playing in the women’s league in Wide Bay. She has developed into a strong key position player who is a great runner and takes a nice contested mark.

Ella Calleja, 17

Club: Yeppoon Swans

Honours: SUNS Academy U18s 2022, SUNS Academy U17s 2021, AFL Capricornia Womens Best and Fairest 2021.

Ella is only coming into her third year of competitive footy and has made a huge impression with her foot skills and ability to be clean in the air and at ground level. She originally started as a forward but has developed into an inside midfielder who is strong around the contest and can drift forward to kick a goal. Won the AFL Capricornia Womens Best and Fairest in 2021 and has been selected in the SUNS Academy Under 18s Female squad for 2022.

Ben O’Brien, 17

Club: Yeppoon Swans

Honours: AFL Capricornia Senior Debut 2021, Gold Coast SUNS Representative U16 2021, SUNS Academy since 2018.

Ben is a hybrid midfielder who is equally adept on the inside and outside of the contest, who has the ability to break from contests and hit the scoreboard. A professional kid who works extremely hard on all aspects of his game. Ben displays great leadership qualities and was named captain of the SUNS 16s side last year against the Lions. Ben is a regular senior player at the Yeppoon Swans who are a powerhouse in the AFL Capricornia competition.

Matthew Evans, 17

Club: Hermit Park Tigers

Honours: AFL Townsville senior premiership player 2021, SUNS Under 16s representative 2021, SUNS Academy since 2020.

A talented athlete across both footy and basketball, Matthew has shown great signs with his footy over the last 12 months. Led the ruck as a 16-year-old last year for Hermit Park in the AFL Townsville competition and went from strength to strength over the season. Competes well in the ruck contest, has improved his marking and kicking, and has good decision making skills. Will be pushing for a spot in the SUNS U17 side in 2022.

Xavier Cameron, 18

Club: Hermit Park Tigers

Honours: AFL Townsville senior premiership player 2021, SUNS Under 16s representative 2021, SUNS Academy since 2020.

Xavier relished the step into senior football in 2021 and played an important role in the Hermit Park premiership. Plays his best footy through the midfield, where his elite running capacity allows him to get to plenty of contests and have time and space with ball in hand. Has a fantastic attitude and got to play in the SUNS v Lions Under 17 game on Metricon Stadium in 2021. Works extremely hard and one to watch this year.

Christian Payne, 17

Club: Thuringowa Bulldogs

Honours: AFL Townsville senior debut 2021, Central Queensland representative 2019, SUNS Academy since 2019.

Christian is a player who has shown he is equally adept at playing in the forward half or as a defender. Is also a quality cricketer. Is a really strong mark for his size and has shown a good ability to kick goals when he plays forward, or do a role defensively. Has good footy smarts and makes good decisions with the ball. Will be pushing for a spot in the SUNS U17 side in 2022.

Thuringowa Bulldogs coach Ben Payne with star player Neive Ryan. Picture: Gayle Walkom

Neive Ryan, 16

Club: Thuringowa Bulldogs

Honours: QLD State School Girls Squad member 2021, NQ U15 representative 2021, SUNS Academy since 2020.

From a family of footballers and has great game sense and just knows how to find the footy. Neive plays predominantly as a defender where her ability to intercept and set up play is at a high level. Neive was a QLD School Girls representative in 2021 and will look to push for a spot in the SUNS U16 side in 2022.

Siobhan Ross, 16

Club: Thuringowa Bulldogs

Honours: Best on Ground AFL Townsville Youth Girls Grand Final 2021, NQ U15 representative 2021, SUNS Academy since 2020.

Siobhan is a developing key forward who has good hands over her head and is a lovely kick. Has a good work ethic and can also push up into the midfield and impact games there. Played some good footy in the SUNS U15s carnival last year, and should make her mark on the AFL Townsville senior women's competition in 2022, while pushing for a spot in the SUNS U16 side.

Harry Cook, 16

Club: Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs

Honours: AFL Cairns senior debut 2021, QLD State Schoolboys Squad 2021, AFL Cairns U16 Best and Fairest 2021, SUNS Academy since 2019.

Harry is a midfielder/half forward who has strong endurance, a great turn of speed and is adept at winning the footy at ground level or in the air. Has good hands and is a reliable kick. Can push forward and impact games on the scoreboard as well. Has stepped up and performed well at every level he has played, and got a taste of senior football in Cairns in 2021. Will be pushing for a spot in the SUNS U16 squad in 2022.

Noah Cockerell, 17

Club: Cairns Saints

Honours: AFL Cairns senior debut 2021, Gold Coast SUNS Representative U16 2021, SUNS Academy since 2018.

Noah is a key defender who has put together an impressive 18 months. He has held down a key defensive position in the Cairns Saints senior side, where his ability to defend one-on-one, intercept mark, and make good decisions by foot have seen his footy go to another level. Is calm under pressure and has good footy smarts. Will be pushing for a spot in the SUNS U17s squad in 2022.

Cairns Saints' Noah Cockerell. Picture: Brendan Radke

Maddox Hunt, 16

Club: Port Douglas Crocs

Honours: AFL Cairns senior debut 2021, QLD State Schoolboys Squad 2021, SUNS Academy since 2019.

Maddox is a strong bodied inside midfielder who enjoys the contested side of the game and is just a pure footballer. Puts himself in the right spots, has worked super hard on his endurance over the last 12 months to allow him to get to more contests, and possesses a quality skill set by hand and foot. Has been great for him to be exposed to senior footy with Port Douglas, and will be pushing for a spot in the SUNS U16s side in 2022.

Heidi Talbot, 16

Club: North Cairns Tigers

Honours: Best on Ground AFL Cairns U15 Youth Girls Grand Final 2021, North Queensland U15 representative 2021, SUNS Academy since 2020.

Heidi is a midfielder with outstanding running capacity and can win the ball on the inside and the outside. Played an unbelievable game in the AFL Cairns U15 youth girls grand final kicking 9 goals from the midfield to win best on ground, and has been a strong performer through the SUNS U17 program in Cairns so far. Has good skills and an exciting prospect to watch over the coming years.

Precious Simeona, 16

Club: South Cairns Cutters

Honours: AFL Cairns U18 Youth Girls Best and Fairest Runner Up 2021, AFL Cairns U15 Youth Girls Best and Fairest 2021, North Queensland U15 representative 2021, SUNS Academy since 2020.

Precious is a super competitive midfielder who wins plenty of the ball at the contest and around the ground. Has a fantastic workrate and is clean around the contest. Tackles strongly and has a fantastic attitude to her footy. Precious was a strong performer for the North Queensland U15 last year and sets the tone with her work rate and attitude to footy.