The 25 players unlucky to miss Queensland’s men’s and women’s representative sides
The 2024 Queensland men and women’s Aussie rules squads have been announced for their representative clash against Tasmania. But who can count themselves unlucky to have missed the cut? Discover the fringe stars who could have made a huge impact here.
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Fresh faces, key players and state heroes have been revealed in this year’s men’s and women’s Queensland Aussie rules teams, but which names failed to make the cut?
With an unknown selection panel consisting of chairs of selectors, head coach and other members landing on an initial 35-man squad for the men and 37 for the women.
Gold Coast Suns AFLW star Jamie Stanton will take the reins as head coach of the Queensland women’s side while former North Melbourne star Leigh Harding makes his return as the Queensland men’s coach.
The state representative matches between Queensland and Tasmania will take place at Bond University on Saturday June 22, and will be accompanied by interstate clashes between South and North Queensland in a bumper day of football.
Congratulations to all those selected, below is a list of players we believe were on the cusp and unlucky not make their respective representative squads.
QAFL
Mitch Conn (Noosa Tigers)
Despite the Tigers patchy run of form, Conn has easily been his side’s standout performer every single week. The former VFL star is in his first QAFL season but sits fifth in the Coaches MVP Award Votes after round eight.
Josh Brown (Redland-Victoria Point Sharks)
Brown is in some serious goal kicking form. He slotted 55 majors last season, earning him the Sharks most improved player award, and he’s already kicked over 20 this year. He added another three in the Sharks big win over Noosa in round nine and can consider himself unlucky to miss the initial squad.
Jacquin Mifsud (Wilston Grange)
Is a new player to the club this season but is slowly getting the recognition he deserves after booting five goals against Surfers Paradise in round eight. Has shown what he can do with the ball in hand but also excels off the ball in creating space and opportunities.
Jono Freeman (Noosa Tigers)
Took a bit of time with all the positional changes but the former Hornets premiership winning player is starting to play some good footy once again. Freeman would definitely be a leading forward/ruck player of the competition.
Kailem Baker (Wilston Grange)
The Gorilla’s captain has been a massive influence throughout the opening eight rounds and always seems to be able to control the speed and flow of the game for his side.
Craig Malone (Redland-Victoria Point Sharks)
The Sharks ruckman had been enjoying a strong season but picked up a longer-term hand injury at a crucial time which no doubt hurt his chances of selection.
Cooper Anderson (Labrador Tigers)
Like Malone, Anderson was also struck down by injury at a bad time. It came in the form of a very serious knee injury, with his ACL, MCL, and PCL all damaged. He’s a genuine athletic half forward who’s awkward to match-up on, and will be helping out the Labrador coaching set-up as he recovers.
Salvatore Cilmi (Palm Beach Currumbin Lions)
Cilmi was looked at by state selectors but ultimately missed the initial Queensland squad. He’s a small half forward pressure player who can pinch hit in the middle. He has good speed, and bursts out of the stoppage. Is new to the QAFL this season, having made the move from Victoria in 2023 where he played for Point Cook in the WFNL.
Corey Beaman (Palm Beach Currumbin Lions)
Beaman is a medium half forward that plays deep. He doesn’t lose contests and has an awesome leap but also pace to burn. Has kicked multiple bags this season, however his accuracy in front of goal has fallen away as of late.
Blair Rubock (Palm Beach Currumbin Lions)
Rubock is new to the QAFL and has made an immense impression, establishing himself as one of the competition’s premier goal kickers. He snagged four goals against in the Lions’ upset round nine win of the high-flying Aspley. Much like Beaman he’s great at bringing the contest and providing pressure.
QAFLW
Jasmine Ware (Wilston Grange)
Ware is definitely one of the more interesting players to have been left out of the squad. The talented former Cairns junior arrived at Hickey Park this season after stints with Nightcliff Tigers in the NTFLW and Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFLW. Following her performances through the opening rounds she has recently been approached by the Gold Coast Suns for a train and trial opportunity ahead of the upcoming AFLW season. With a great overhead mark and averaging 88% kick efficiency, the opportunity speaks volumes and helps put in perspective of where her game and ability is at.
Summer Hamilton (Wilston Grange)
Hamilton is still only 17-years-old but has definitely been a key figure for the Gorillas this season and has shown she can match it with the older and more experienced players. Is without a doubt competing against some top-line opposition players but Hamilton has definitely earned some fans already this season.
Jane Childes (UQ)
Childes has a compelling case for selection statistically, and laid a jaw-dropping 16 tackles against Bond Uni in round seven. Is consistently among UQ’s best players, with her footy nous, clean stoppage and clearance, constant pressure and work rate among her standout attributes.
Harriet Knijff (UQ)
Knijff was cut from the Lions Academy last year but has cut her teeth in the QAFLW this season, and performed exceptionally. She has also shifted from playing forward to the midfield, and strung together a five-week stretch of racking up 20 or more disposals - amazing consistency. She’s still young and will no doubt be on the Queensland selectors radar for season’s to come.
Elka Barnett (UQ)
Barnett is a gun small forward with a heap of goals under her belt and she can put the pressure on. It’s her second year playing Aussie rules, having crossed to the code from rugby 9s. She has a slight frame but works hard and is beginning to be rewarded. She’s beginning to push up the ground more. Don’t be surprised if she shifts to a midfield/wing role in the future.
Charlotte Millen (Yeronga)
Millen is still rising through the ranks as a 19-year-old but Millen is definitely one of the more underrated players of the competition. She’s had to play slightly out of position this season due to her teams set up but she’s a name to follow for seasons to come.
Jessi Henning (UQ)
One of the unluckiest players to miss the Queensland side, Henning is a three-time QAFLW team of the year defender and has an impressive pedigree when it comes to representative football. Not that long ago she was immense in the Red Lions grand final triumphs.
Alyssa Gall (Coorparoo Kings)
Gall is playing her first season in the QAFLW, having moved south from Cairns. She’s an uber consistent performer that’s flown under the radar, and is exceptionally versatile. At varying times this year she’s lined up at half forward, on the wing, or in the midfield and has excelled wherever she’s thrown.
Mackenzie Findlay (Wilston Grange)
Is an outstanding captain that leads from the front and has great communication skills on and off the field. Findlay has been a consistent performer this season.
Jamie Howell (Yeronga)
The Devil’s vice-captain is a hard nosed player that’s moved into the backline this season after previously slotting in on the wing. Always plays above her height and is extremely tough in every contest. Howell’s inclusion on this list is uber impressive given that she’s deaf and plays her footy with cochlear implants, which are designed to improve sound perception.
Jasmine Kawa, Tiarna Ernst, Holly O’Flaherty and Jessica Davy (Aspley)
Despite having the most of any club the Hornets have had a host of contributing players this season with all four players playing key roles. After round six, Davy was also leading the Coaches MVP Award Votes for the season.
Kierra Zerafa (Southport)
Zerafa is a young midfield bull consistently among the Sharks top performers. She has a solid fend off, and has previously represented Allie in the U18 national championships as well as the Northern Territory in last year’s Coates Talent League.
Originally published as The 25 players unlucky to miss Queensland’s men’s and women’s representative sides
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