We name the male and female AFLDD stars to watch this season
AFLQDD LIST: Aussie rules is back and we’re running the rule over the senior male and female players set to break the game open this season. Find out who from your club made the list here.
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With the 2024 AFLQ Darling Downs season kicking off this weekend, we reveal the players you need to watch from the senior men’s and women’s competitions.
See who made the list from your team here.
Khloe Fanning (Coolaroo women): Fanning is a strong, athletic presence who is new to the game having previously played netball but has so far taken it by storm.
Ada McKenzie (Coolaroo women): Another player making the switch from netball, McKenzie is this year’s captain and is a versatile player who is strong in any position she plays in.
Jessica Stevenson (Coolaroo women): Stevenson is a very strong midfielder. She has years of experience and is a crucial member of the Coolaroo side.
Hannah McConochie (Coolaroo women): A great utility player who moves the ball well and is quick on her feet.
Tim Lewis (Coolaroo men): Lewis is a powerful ruckman who battles hard all day.
Harry Clayton (Coolaroo men): Clayton is a strong midfielder who leads by example. After having a big pre-season, Coolaroo officials are excited to see what he can bring to the table this season.
Henry Sheath (Coolaroo men): Sheath is one of the fittest players in the competition and is elite by foot.
Maya Coote (Goondiwindi women): Coote is a high school student who may be new to the game, but she is an exciting, talented athlete who is set to make her mark playing in the forwards.
Shaye Easton (Goondiwindi women): Easton is one of the most talented players in the competition and is a two-time Heather Green Medallist.
Bridie Spottiswood (Goondiwindi women): Spottiswood is a talented defender who always makes life difficult for opposing forwards.
Amy Ward (Goondiwindi women): Ward has made the move from Dalby and is her experience will provide a major boost.
Sam Bishop (Goondiwindi men): A rapid player who lives for the hard-ball gets.
Tyson White (Goondiwindi men): Coming from a rugby league background, White is a strong tackler who is ready to take the league by storm.
Mitch Henderson (Goondiwindi men): An elite key defender who always puts in a strong shift at fullback.
Laurie Logo (Toowoomba men): Was one of the best players in the competition last year and has brought an unprecedented level of talent to the Tigers’ wing.
Rohan Drummond (Toowoomba men): The Tigers’ star forward is a mobile weapon in attack who kicked 40 goals last season.
Josh Challis (Toowoomba men): Challis boasts a high football IQ and plays with pace and confidence every time he steps onto the field.
Chris Turpin (Toowoomba men): One of the Toowoomba Tigers stalwarts, Turpin has led the side to premierships and is an inspiring leader. There are few players who put their head over the ball quite like Turpin in and around the contest.
Courtney Browne (Toowoomba women): Browne is a strong and talented midfielder who possess an impressive all-round game.
Tiarna Jericho (Toowoomba women): Jericho was runner-up in the league best and fairest last season and expect her to hit the ground running in search of going one better this year. She is a strong, aggressive midfielder who can single-handedly change a contest.
Sophie Coyte (Toowoomba women): A strong defender who is a welcome addition to the Tigers. The key defender has an impressive marking and kicking game as well.
Nathali Tan (Toowoomba women): An electric winger who runs all day and is lightning in a bottle.
Nelly Bruce (Toowoomba women): The under-17 gun led Downlands to the premiership earlier this year and was the league best and fairest in that competition. Entering her first year of senior football, Tigers officials are excited to see her develop and compete in the backline.
Shayde Szonbathy (Toowoomba women): Szonbathy joins Toowoomba after playing at a high level in Victoria. She is a young gun with exceptional ball skills and will be a difference-maker in the midfield.
Sarah Browne (Toowoomba women): Browne is an excellent footballer who is a versatile option in the forward line.
Lara Padget (Toowoomba women): Padget is one of the most elite players in the competition and has been the league’s leading goal-kicker over the last few seasons.
Kiara Wright (South Burnett women): Hard running halfback Kiara Wright is a vital cog in the Saints line up turning defence into attack. She provides plenty of run and carry and is an elite playmaker. Wright provides a lot of voice and direction for the younger more inexperienced players. She was also a South Queensland representative in 2023.
Teresa Foster (South Burnett women): Foster is an experienced utility who is a new addition to the Saints in 2024. She has a vast knowledge of the game and is a model leader for the younger members of the side. Foster brings VFLW experience from her time with the Geelong Cats and has several strings to her bow.
Alex Alifrangis (South Burnett women): Alifrangis is entering her third season with the Saints and is looking to build on an already impressive record having won the Saints best and fairest in her first two years after converting from soccer. She brings plenty of grunt to the midfield and is an exciting playmaker who is always in and around the action.
Kayley Collins (South Burnett women): After finishing runner-up in the club best and fairest in her first season last year, Collins is an exciting talent set to take her game to new heights this year. She is a natural in and around the contest and will be a perennial threat this year after she made the move to the midfield during pre-season.
Uni Men: With their matching peroxide blonde hair Lachy Greenbury, Trent Fenton and Jimmy Potter will certainly standout this season. Fortunately for Uni it will not just be the hair that catches the eye with the star trio offering a lot of skill and tenacity. Fenton is a force in the backfield and is tipped to flourish this season. Potter plays a dynamic and exciting brand of footy and will trouble most opposition defences. Greenbury is a versatile player capable of playing across a number of positions and adds great depth to the squad.
Luke Giacca (Warwick men): Gearing up for his first year of senior Aussie rules, Giacca has taken to the sport like a duck to water in pre-season. Fit, fast and strong the former rugby union player and national level javelin thrower has easily picked up the key skills and will be exciting through the middle.
Zac Wall (Warwick men): Switching soccer for Aussie rules, Wall will be a tough match up for opposition forwards. A man mountain with springs in his legs he will a real force in the backline.
Anthony Rickson (Warwick men): The vice-captain has been hard at work in the pre-season taking his fitness to another level. Fit and hungry he will command the backline.
Ryan Clark (Warwick men): The young star has looked lively in the front line during pre-season and should be among the goals.
Nyengela Mwajuma (University women): An absolute ball magnet with years of football behind her. She has sharp skills and an even sharper mind.
Lilly Wormald (University women): Wormald is a rising star in the University ranks and was named the club’s best first year player in 2023. After a stellar opening campaign, the hard-hitter with a great mind and impressive ball skills is set to take her game to the next level in 2024.
Ryan Hodgson (South Toowoomba men): Leads from the front, Hodgson has a great pair of hands and an incredible ability to read the game.
Troy Rissman (South Toowoomba men): Rissman has clean, silky ball skills and an amazing engine as he runs all day.
Josh Liddington (South Toowoomba men): Despite heading into only his second season, he reads the game well and is great at winning the contested balls.
Lachlan Tory (South Toowoomba men): A versatile strong forward who is a strong marker of the ball and is set to be a great asset for the Bombers this season.
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