QAFL colts health check: Top five’s secret to success; best players along with green shoots the battlers
QAFL colts health check: Why were the competition’s top five firing this season? Revealed here, along with leading players so far, and what green shoots were also appearing from teams like Noosa, Sharks and Demons.
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Unbeaten Aspley, along with Morningside, Wilston Grange, Maroochydore and Sherwood were the premiership pace setters nearing the half way mark of the season.
So why were they performing so strongly?
We asked each coach to pinpoint things they were doing well, along with the players leading the charge so far this season.
RISING STARS OF THE QAFL AND QAFLW
QAFL and QAFLW SENIORS BEST PERFORMERS FROM LAST ROUND
QAFL COLTS MOST VERSATILE PLAYERS
We also peer down toward the other end of the table to see what green shoots were appearing at both Surfers Paradise and Redland-Victoria Point, while also gaining an insight into Noosa’s improved start to the season.
Aspley
Hornets coach Brett Atkins said the biggest thing “we are doing well is sticking to the structure and the process on how we defend sides, but more importantly how we score against them’’.
“With the introduction of some new tweaks to the game plan we knew it was going to take time to adjust.
“With that in mind we knew if we can keep adjusting and improving week by week by consolidating with wins it would set us up for the back end of the season.’’
Atkins said there needed to be a continuing focus on basic fundamentals. “We will continue to do this every week regardless of the result. The biggest focus will be strengthening the game plan.
“Improvement will come from continuing to work on the basics of the game and also gaining a better understanding of each other’s attributes. That will help us grow throughout the season.’’
He said a strong focus was also on developing players who “we believe have the capabilities to play QAFL seniors either now (like Jake Howson) or in the foreseeable future.’’
Best players for Aspley
An inside mid fielder of forward bull, Judah Crocker has continued on from last year.
“He has really worked hard on his craft inside,’’ coach Atkins said.
“He has become fitter and stronger from his strong pre-season which has allowed him to be a beast at stoppages.’’ As a result goals have been scored, including three majors at the weekend.
Cambell Harrop can be an strong player at either end of the ground, but his bread and butter is predominantly as a midfielder.
“He has amazing attributes. Below his knees he is clean, he has footy smarts around the contest all the while having an ability to bring teammates into the game,’’ Atkins praised.
“His decision making is a class above. By continuing to work on fitness, this young man is a QAFL senior footballer in the making.’’
QAFL COLTS
Lachie O Dwyer started slowly for Aspley as a back man or mid fielder, but has really flourished over the past month.
His rebound out of our back half has been exceptional. “With him growing a better understanding of what we expect of him and a better understanding of the game plan it is exciting.
“He is another one whom I see being a major prospect in playing QAFL seniors in the foreseeable future,’’ coach Atkins said.
A running machine who has worked incredibly hard over the off season, Milo Presland is a mid field, wing or forward ace who has become stronger at the contest.
“His versatility this year has really allowed me to challenge him in every facet of the game,’’ Atkins said.
“All he wants to do is develop. He has a great understanding of the Game Plan which allows him to show his leadership qualities.’’
Presland also has a will to win every contest.
Ethan Myers has been another leading player for Aspley, a genuine utility who can play anywhere.
He has footy smarts, a great running capacity and after a slow start to the season due to ongoing sickness, he is coming into his own.
“He is beginning to build into a potential game breaker. His versatility allows me to use him as a Mr Fix It. I can see him playing QAFL very soon.’’
Duncan Lewis has developed into a dominant ruckmen in the colts with an ability to compete and then get around the ground and snare marks.
“His biggest weapon is his running capacity which allows me to trust him to get to contest to contest,’’ Lewis said.
“He just needs to continue to build on his strength as a tall and who knows where he could end up.’’
Jake Howson is a power forward and relief ruckman who has worked extremely hard over the off season. “His Core strength is remarkable but his workrate up and down the ground is remarkable for a 6.4 player,’’ Atkins said.
“His willingness to become better at his craft, strength and running is a true credit to him hence the reason he is now playing senior football.
“Obviously I would love to have him in the colts but my job is to develop these boys to become the best they can be.
“To see Jake get an opportunity in a back to back premiership side is a credit to the club for giving him the opportunity.
“More importantly a credit to Jake for his dedication and who knows where it could take this young 18 year old prospect.’’
Morningside
The Panthers have been the competition’s big improvers this season, a recovery based around its defence.
Coach Justin Lawrence said the group was averaging 32 points against.
“The team’s mid fielders were having big pressure numbers and having an impact in the forward line when they get down there,’’ he added.
He said while being a few spearheads down, the forwards were also sharing the goals around.
Morningside’s depth was also evident, with 34 players used so far this season.
However, Lawrence said Morningside were looking to improve its goal kicking, having only twice this season kicked more majors than behinds in games.
Best players for Morningside
Tom Johnston is a full forward sharpshooter who has 11 goals this season and who has been among the best four times in seven outings.
Oscar Barry, a centre half back who was new to the side this season, is also impressing. He has only played five games but he has been among the best four times and recently gained promotion into the reserves.
Joey Wilson, one of Morningside’s best last season, was a midfielder again doing his best work with four best player mentions in the first five games. He has tasted seniors via two reserve games.
Oscar Tanks has been a mid field young gun in his debut season at colts level despite being an under-17 eligible player. After coming off a disrupted 2023, Tanks has three best afield in six games.
Cooper Short, the small forward who has 12 goals from seven games – while still being eligible for the under-17s.
Sherwood
The Magpies have started the season with a 5-2 win loss record on the back of moving the ball and being good around the contest.
But the squad wants to work on being more consistent for the rest of the season.
Best for Sherwood
Alex Peacock in the centre has been elite and Jack Harrison has been an effective release forward.
Cooper Stone has been strong as an inside mid for Sherwood, while Jack Slater has been a defensive mid inspiration.
Jamie Preston in the ruck has been a figurehead while Jake Cockerell has been strong as an attacking back.
Maroochydore
The key to the Roos start to the season has been its pressure around the ball.
“It has been amazing and our sharing of the ball impressive,’’ said coach Rob Smith.
Smith said the team had a rethink after the opening two rounds when it was decided the senior boys had to stop trying too hard.
“After round one and two a lot of the older boys were trying to do too much,’’ Smith explained.
“But now everyone is bringing each other into the game and we are playing so much better.’’
Best players for Maroochydore
Tom Holden has been his team’s most consistent player this season, his team’s best across the first two months.
New to the club, he hails from the famous sporting district of Wagga Wagga in south western New South Wales. He is an old school mid fielder who gets the job done.
High praise also for Takoda Boltong for his defender work while Nate Smith has been a spark from either the mid field or up forward.
Wilston Grange
Wilston Grange coach Darren Fazldeen said his team had “got back to playing Gorillas footy and trusting the game plan’’.
“Defensively we have improved which has then led us to limiting our opponents,’’ he explained.
“One improvement that we are working on is playing our game style for four quarters.
“Once we understand this, we will be hard to beat’’
Best players for Wilston Grange
Marcus Zipf in the ruck has been consistent all season and is dominating contests.
Kieran Micheletti has been an elite mid fielder who is always willing to get his hands dirty
Ryan Lewis, the time honoured mid field and team captain, has been so consistent.
Big improvers
Noosa
Noosa had been big improvers this season with three wins on the back to more good pressure and effort across most games. “It is what we base our game around,’’ said coach Ben Archard.
However, he said there was more improvement coming. “We will look to improve our general structure and team chemistry across four quarters,’’ he said.
“We are getting better with every session. We are a young, talented group and it’s exciting to see the growth week in, week out.’’
Best players for Noosa
Jai Mure has been a genuine, aggressive mid fielder who complements the team’s style of play. Also a goal kicker, he must be gaining so much energy by seeing his team get results.
Ethan Slaney was a modern day intercept defender who was worth his weight in gold. “He does some freakish things with the ball in the air and reads the play well,’’ Archard said.
“Slaney played seniors against Labrador and we won’t be seeing him back in colts for a while.’’
Coach Archard also heaped praise on Jed Bullman. “Not just as a good player, but he has been huge for me and the group in terms of his leadership. He is a much appreciated member of the group and we would be lost without him.’’
At aged just, Riley Mackay (wing or half back) was one of the group’s youngest but has a big future with Noosa. “He is hugely driven and brings intensity to four quarters.’’ Archard said.
He is a local junior.
Green shoots from below
Redland-Victoria Point were consistently playing three quarters of good footy, but at the moment one flat quarter was hurting the side.
“We are making some good ground contests against some quality opposition and I think they would all say our pressure is very good,’’ explained coach Aaron Christensen.
“But our forward of centre work needs some improvement. Keeping it inside out 50 and our entries have hurt us a bit.’’
Best players from the Sharks
Bailey Burrows, one of his team’s best last season, has been leading as captain each week, particularly with his tackling and intensity.
Matty Owens in the mid field has been exceptional and has generated a lot of good things for his side.
Brodie Burke down forward has been a high achiever, a presence at both ends of the ground.
Green shoots from Surfers Paradise - but what needs to improve
Assistant coach Paul Marshall said one thing he has admired about the Demons this season was the group’s resilience when challenged, along with their ability to compete despite being under manned.
However, he said it was imperative the group continued to maintain attention to detail across four quarters. “That is an area that needs growing,’’ Marshall said.
“However, much of that is developmentally appropriate.’’
Best for Surfers
James Carrigan, as an inside mid, has been outstanding for the Demons so far.
Mt Gravatt’s best
Best players for Mt Gravatt Vultures this season have been Luke Kirman as a mid and backline exponent, Peiwa Laka with his speed and skill as a wing or forward, and reliable back man Cailen Campbell.
Footnote: More coming from some other Gold Coast clubs this week and will be updated.
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