SEQ AFL under-17 girls who raise team spirit along with Tweed and Redcliffe milestone players

Meet the SEQ AFL under-17 girls raise team spirit and keep morale high, while also acknowledging milestone games from the Tweed Coast and Redcliffe clubs.

Hazel Wright on the move for Wilston Grange. PICTURE COURTESY OF JEN ALLEN.

The SEQ AFL under-17 girls season has marched on, with three girls enjoying milestone games last weekend.

Redcliffe pair Jessica Williams and Amber Grace Cullen, along with Tweed Coast’s Sundara Seymour, all reached the 50 match mark at their respective clubs.

Jessica Williams and Amber Grace-Cullen celebrated 50 games for Redcliffe.

We acknowkedge those girls, while also looking at the young women who raise spirit and lift morale within the competition.

They might not be seen on the score sheet, or feature heavily when the statistics were laid to bare.

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But the young women who keep the spirits high around the club, during training and on game day, were as important as the possession gathering mid fielder or a leading full forward.

Aoife Piipari (Everton Wolves) playing in the 2022 grand final.

Aoife Piipari (Everton Wolves)

The Everton team captain in 2023, Piipari is again a part of the group’s leadership group this season. She is always the type that is up and about at training, just the person you need to keep the spirits high when the rain drives in or the cool winter temperature descends.

Tweed Coast Northern Rivers' Sundara Seymour played her 50th match at the weekend.

Sundara Seymour (Tweed Coast Northern Rivers)

Happy 50th match to Sundara Seymour, who reached the milestone last Sunday. Behind successful teams like the Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers is a host of unsung players and fitting the bill perfectly is Sundara Seymour, a player teammates simply love.

The 50 game milestone player Sundara Seymour.

“I have been coaching Sundara for four seasons now and she really is tough, highly skilled and an inspirational player,’’ praised head coach Steve Forman.

Tarryn Parker (Tweed Coolangatta)

Also down on the NSW-Queensland border, but this time a stone’s throw into Queensland, is another morale lifting ace in Tarryn Parker. She has this ability to raise the spirit of the group, and loves encouraging and communicating from her position on the wing.

Tilly McLeod (Maroochydore)

Whether on a long road trip or playing at home, Tilly McLeod is sure to get the girls going - regardless of whether they were down on the scoreboard or leading. She also can lead by example with a tackle to run someone down or a goal.

Evie Baldwin (Southport)

Whether it is a training night or a game day, Baldwin brings a unique positive energy to the Sharks. Her blood is worth bottling, that’s for sure.

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Wynnum's Ella Cook has eyes for the ball.

Ella Cook, Taya North, Maggie Taylor (Wynnum Manly)

These girls drive the team spirit, they love the game, they love the club.

Cook has exceptional leadership qualities both on and off the field. She throws her body into the congestion to win the football to help set us up in the forward line which is a tough thing to do. Her marking and kicking skills were also among the best in the division.

The silky hands of Taya North at ground level playing for Wynnum.

North was “the most determined player I’ve seen when on the football field,’’ according to her coach Stephen Fumberger. “She is so focused on winning the ball and helping out her teammates and never stops running. She is always attacking.’’

Maggie Taylor of Wynnum launches into a kick.

Hazel Wright and Kellarney Davies (Wilston Grange)

Both girls strike just the right balance when it comes to lifting the group. Whether

Hazel Wright is playing as a pressure forward, or utility Kellarney Davies is bobbing up in different roles - one thing is a common trait - their enthusiasm shines through. They bring just the “right amount of craziness,’’ to the group, according to the Gorillas coach Jamie Sceney.

Stella Edgar and Issy Booth (Morningside)

Morningside Panthers coach Alan McGrath said two of his girls, Stella Edgar and Issy Booth, were fabulous for the group with the team spirit they generate around Esplen Oval on training nights and during games.

Under-17 Girls division 1 Broadbeach Cats last year. Sunday April 30, 2023. Picture: Nick Tucker

Lucy Riddle (Redcliffe)

A wonderful contributor to the team environment, Riddle plays strongly in both the mid field and up forward.

Lucy Riddle, left, with a teammate.

Tiffany O’Keeffe, Mia Tempest and Kirra de Ridder (Victoria Point)

The champion Sharks outfit is well balanced on and off the field, and helping keep the spirits high were half back flanker Tiffany O’Keeffe, mid field tearaway Mia Tempest and inspiring ruck Kirra de Ridder.

Lauren Grounds, Matilda Retchless, Matilda Ready, Emily Gollan (Aspley Hornets)

What an awesome foursome these girls are. When you embark on a long season, win, lose or draw, you want to keep spirits high and morale up and these four girls certainly do that for the Hornets 17s.

Meke Norton-Smith (Broadbeach)

An under-18 Gold Coast SUNS academy member, wing or forward Meke Norton-Smith is sure to get her teammates rolling forward with her enthusiastic talk and the manner in which she plays. She is great for team morale.

Ruby East of the Wests Juniors.

Daisy Lythgow, Daisy Yannakouros and Ruby East (Wests Juniors)

Daisy Lythgow (midfielder) and Daisy Yannakouros (forward) plus Ruby East (defender) are always energetic and looking for some fun at training and in the game.

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Taylor is great for team morale because she always has fun on the field and really enjoys playing. However, she also never takes a backward step when attacking the football. Taylor has the mindset for winning the football and moving it out from her defensive position.

The Sandgate Hawks leader - Georgia Watterson.

Georgia Watterson, Lexi Watson and Christina Obonga (Sandgate)

Players that get the team up and about would have to be Georgia Watterson, Lexi Watson and Christina Obonga who all spread enthusiasm throughout the group in readiness to take the field.

Siofra Lehane and Jade Williams (Coorparoo)

Wing Lehane always brings a smile to the team, be it at training or on the field. She regularly plays against bigger opponents and never takes a backward step which inspires others in the team.

Williams leads by example in the full back position. She is always a team first player and one the team loves having on the field and at training.

Kellarneys Davies finds space with her kick. PICTURE COURTESY OF JEN ALLEN.