13 leading contenders for AFL Townsville Best & Fairest gongs
As we approach the halfway point of the season, the cream of the crop in AFL Townsville is rising to the top. Meet the leading Best and Fairest medal contenders from every team in town >>
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
In a bid to take readers closer than ever before to the sports they love, the Townsville Bulletin sports team have surveyed AFL Townsville’s leading coaches and officials to shine the spotlight on the players who might not get their names up in lights every week.
Club representatives answered key questions on their squad’s fastest players, fittest players, toughest and strongest, most underrated, best defenders, x-factors, future stars and contenders for club best and fairest awards.
Check back every Monday to meet the men and women leading the way in AFL Townsville’s 2024 competitions.
AFL TOWNSVILLE’S TOUGHEST AND STRONGEST PLAYERS
CHRIS TIDSWELL
Thuringowa
Represented North Queensland in his first season since moving from South Australia on an ADF posting to Townsville. Tidswell is one of Thuringowa’s most consistent performers and even though he will be unavailable for chunks of the season through his defence commitments, it would take a brave punter to bet against Tidswell racking up the best and fairest votes. The inside midfielder’s ability to use his legs to get from inside a stoppage to drive away, then dice up oppositions with a sharp left boot, can tear rivals to shreds.
OLIVIA MEAGHER
Thuringowa
A true leader on the field. Thuringowa’s captain this season has increased her fitness and speed to the point where she is running 21km for fun so she’s impossible to miss on the field. Meagher battled a painful niggling rib injury for several weeks earlier in the season but has emerged from it as a short-odds favourite to be crowned the Bulldogs MVP.
MITCHELL DENNIS
Curra
Curra’s fittest player is an odds-on favourite to take home the club’s best and fairest award for 2024 but more than just his stifling play in the back pocket. Dennis has played senior football since he was 15 and knows what it is like to be in a consistently underperforming side but has blossomed into one of Curra’s most reliable players. Super disciplined, talks the talk, walks the walk and teammates
PAIGE MAGNER
Curra
Magner isn’t new to football but has stepped up a gear in 2023 with her leadership and commitment to the game. That’s showing in her fitness work away from the field and her mentoring of teammates as another key voice in the leadership group. Always encouraging and positive, celebrating the little things and practices what she preaches. If Magner asks a teammate to get in front of an opposition player you know she will be doing the same to her opponent. Kenidee McNamara and Breht Wyke are others well and truly in the hunt at the Swans.
DARCY McKENNY
University
Another new midfielder to the club has battled an early hamstring injury this season but shapes as a red hot contender to win University’s ultimate individual accolade. Hard at the footy and can break open a lot of packs which will be key to University. Clean in possession and highly efficient around the ground. Has a decent motor and is always around the ball.
LAUREN KERR
University
A key midfielder who takes control and directs her teammates around. Off the field, Kerr assists with the organising of events. Mentoring doesn’t come naturally but Kerr is embracing the challenge all the same.
CALLAWAY PARKER
Hermit Park
Three-time Hermit Park best and fairest winner Callaway Parker shows no signs of slowing down and remains the favourite to add to his impressive collection of club accolades. A supreme athlete and all-round player who influences the game when he’s around the ball. Parker is only getting better as he improves as a defender. Attack has never held him back.
HAYLEY CORNISH
Hermit Park
Hailed already this season as Hermit Park’s toughest and strongest and one of its fittest players, it comes as little surprise that Hayley Cornish is shaping to follow in the footsteps of Alyssa Whiley and Emily Harding as the Tigers’ finest player of 2024. A very experienced campaigner who brings a wealth of knowledge that she loves to share with her teammates. Spectators will often spot Cornish directing traffic from her position in the centre of the field.
STEPHANIE BALDWIN
Hermit Park
A dark horse for Hermit Park’s top individual accolade is Baldwin. The half-forward flank reads the ball incredibly well and has kicked multiple goals crumbing around the tall forwards. Baldwin has the versatility to chop out to give the midfielders a rest too, with Hermit Park losing nothing when Baldwin drops back. The team’s motto is ‘What can I do to make my teammates better’ and no player has taken that philosophy to heart more than Baldwin. If she’s not in the best spot she will kick it to someone who is and shepherd.
DAVID HEDLAM, ALEX TRUEMAN AND ISAAC TRUEMAN
Northern Beaches
The trio have all shown their calibre in the first nine weeks of the season but Hedlam and Alex Trueman’s work in tandem in the halfback line has been first class, even with wins proving difficult to lock down. Isaac Trueman, Alex’s older brother, has been hot on his sibling’s heels for valuable contributions to the team.
ERIN YELLAND
Northern Beaches
One of the fittest players on the team who runs the field. Erin is very aware of the game and able to be in the space where she needs to be whenever the ball gets to that contest. Her energy, she does it all day. A good person and a good player.
Originally published as 13 leading contenders for AFL Townsville Best & Fairest gongs
The 10 young guns you need to watch at NQ U15 Cricket Championships
The region’s top under-15s cricketers will be in Townsville this week battling for NQ supremacy. Find out which players from NQ, Far North and Mackay-Whitsunday are simply unmissable.
Qld U16s, U19s selection highlights: Reds set to unleash Fijian phenom in Brumbies blockbuster
Queensland Reds Academy teams: Player selection highlights from the under-16s, under-19s teams ready to rumble in the Super Rugby tournament on Saturday. See what exciting youngsters are lining up here and get an insight.