AIC First 1st XVIII Players to Watch for this season

Who will be the key Players to Watch when the first bounce is taken in the AIC 1st XVIII school footy season? We reveal all here.

Match-up - Last season's AFL AIC footy action between Villa and St Pat's

After the closest AIC 1st XVIII season in history last year, another bumper first term of footy looms as Australian football gets huffing and puffing nice and early among schools in Brisbane.

Last year Villa, St Laurence’s College and Marist College Ashgrove chased the title down to the wire.

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This year’s competition starts on Friday and will again feature some of Queensland’s most promising up-and-coming AFL talent, including Brisbane Lions Academy members.

Watch for our weekly coverage of the competition.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AMBROSE TREACY COLLEGE

The minnows of the competition, Ambrose Treacy College players will be jumping out of their skin to again play in the AIC top tier sport.

Players to watch include:

Michael Romelo: A midfielder, Romelo is rated by coach Lyndon Brieffies as a player among the most talented “I have coached in my 20 years of coaching AFL’’.

“He is fast, has silky skills and has a unique eye for the game.’’

AMBROSE TREACY COLLEGE players had an enjoyable campaign last season.

Jack Harrison: A small forward or midfielder, Harrison has a unique ability to play above his height. “Harrison is strong overhead for his size, a tough matchup for any defender, and is a dynamic finisher for goals,’’ coach Brieffies said.

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Will Parkinson: A key defender, Parkinson is a multi talented sportsman who is just as good at cricket as he is at AFL. “Will is a great lockdown defender, rarely loses a one-on-one, and is a team player, sacrificing his game for the sake of his team,’’ said coach Brieffies.

AIC AFL seniors match between Ambrose Treacy College and St Peters Lutheran College Picture David Clark

Jarvis Warr: The rebounding defender has shown the most improvement over the past 12 months, and is now an electric running defender. “Another 12 months of development, Jarvis has the potential to be a real asset to the team,’’ praised Brieffies.

AIC First XVIII AFL footy game between Ambrose Treacy College and St Edmund's College. Picture, Nick Tucker.

PADUA COLLEGE

Iona College has a sporting rich catchment to call uppm and from an small army of talented youngsters up bobs Hayden Hall, Lachlan Chambers, Jordan Chambers and Tom Waters.

All college seniors, they have considerable QAFL under 19 colts experience.

Last season's AFL AIC footy action between Villa and St Pat's

VILLANOVA COLLEGE

Oscar Tanks: An on ball player, Tanks is into his third year playing with the Firsts’ AFL team at Villa. As a Year 10 student he was named best on ground in the final game of the season when Villanova defeated Padua to win their maiden premiership. “His effective communication skills and hard at the ball approach make him a good leader in the team.’’

Tanks has experience playing club football with Morningside AFC and is a member of the Brisbane Lions Academy.

Some members of the Villa squad last season.

Zac Joyce: A third season Villa 1st XVIII player, Joyce provides options on the wing with the distance he covers each game. He reads the play well and executes his skills efficiently. A past member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy, he plays his club football at Morningside AFC.

Toby Hall: Another wingman, Hall is in his first year with Villa’s 1st XVIII, earning a position after doing well in the trials.

He displays great awareness and reads the play well, and he generally gets plenty of touches.

He has a knack of finding effective targets with his great application of skill. Hall plays his club football at Coorparoo AFC and is a member of the Brisbane Lions Academy.

Marist College Ashgrove supporters celebrate a win.

MARIST COLLEGE ASHGROVE

The Marist footy program went up a gear last year when the Blue and Gold crew matched strides, marks and hand passes with the best in the league.

This season, watch for three familiar faces - midfielder Jack Thompson and key position players Tom Williams (centre half back) and Jack Williams (centre half forward— to rock ‘n roll for Marist.

They all played in the 2023 outfit and will look to steer the side around the park this year.

Marist College Ashgrove members last season.

IONA COLLEGE

Nick Bragger: A forward, Bragger is the team’s co-captain and will be looking to make a big impact on the scoreboard this year.

Bryn Corten: A key fullback, Corten brings a wealth of experience and steely resolve as a leader of the backline for Iona.

Ben Lillico: A midfield prime mover who is a well-balanced player. His evasive skills allow him to get a lot of the football in the midfield and be damaging on the scoreboard.

ST LAURENCE’S COLLEGE

Will Munro: A Year 12 student and a member of Laurie’s leadership group, he is a Level 3 member of the Brisbane Lions Academy. He is a very talented footballer who can play at either end of the field. Munro is a smooth user of the ball who seems to have a lot of time when in possession.

St Laurence's College reflect on a match.

Cooper Hodge: A Level 2 member of the Brisbane Lions Academy, Hodge made the All Australian U15’s last season. He is playing his first season of 1st XVIII and will make an impact on the big stage with his tenacious attack on the ball. Hodge works hard and rarely loses a one-on-one contest. Year 10 student Hodge is the son of Hawthorn great Luke Hodge.

Lachlan Ellen: Another Brisbane Lions Academy player (Level 2), the Year 10 student has played several years for Queensland in the school representative pathways. Ellen is an exciting half back flanker who can impact the score board.

Harri Armstrong: This will be the third consecutive year Aarmstrong has played in the 1st XVIII. Has a Gaelic Footy background, is big, strong, quick and mobile. Armstrong will play a key role for St Laurence’s with his typically strong full forward type player. But he will also spend time on the ball this year to cause plenty of disruption for opposing teams.

AIC AFL seniors match between Ambrose Treacy College and St Peters Lutheran CollegePicture David Clark

ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE

The Saints will come marching in on the back of two excellent midfielders, Year 10 student Addison Stoltz and college senior Finn Booker. In addition, Tom Johnston will be a target up forward.

ST PATRICK’S COLLEGE

Joe Byers: The captain and 2023 St Patrick’s College AFL Player of Year will lead from the front each week with his determination and skill. Byers will be looking to have a big impact on each game in his final year at the college.

Last season's AFL AIC footy action - St Pat's take a breather.

Noah Polinski: A workhorse, Polinski will play a huge role in the Paddies team this year. Now with a full season of 1st XVIII experience under his belt, he is primed for a big year. Expect the Year 11 student to get plenty of the ball throughout the season.

Nick Watson: The returning 1st XVIII player is a fast and agile midfielder who will rack up plenty of touches while playing tough against all opponents.

Charlie James: James is one of the many young and exciting players getting an opportunity in the 1st XVIII team this year. James will be a major part of the St Pat’s squad over the next three years, and the college community was excited to see how he develops.