QAFL colts: The best airborne specialists who fly at your club

QAFL colts special: The best big airborne players who fly high at your club this season revealed here after a round which saw Sherwood’s Ben Gomersall boot nine majors.

Wispa Brain prepares to take a set shot for NOosa at Mt Gravatt on May 24, 2025. Picture: Stephen Archer.

Sherwood’s Ben Gomersall booted nine majors as the Magpies kept within a victory of first placed Noosa in the QAFL colts competition.

Gomersall had a rare day out, dominating the forward line as his men up the ground kept a steady flow of possession coming his way.

BEST TRAINERS OF THE QAFL COLTS

The Kings Jackson Dalrymple and Noosa’s Jai Mure were both four goal heroes, while PBC’s Ryan Davis kicked five majors as the competition roared past round 10 last weekend.

And the big men fly - Redland-VIctoria Point almost toppled Coorparoo. Max Boultbee, left, who is featured in this story, and The Kings Christopher Evans last weekend. Picture, John Gass

It was a round which saw Redland-Victoria Point Sharks almost spring a major upset by toppling Coorparoo, with only Dalrymple’s bagful the difference.

The results

+ the Sharks got within five points of unseating Coorparoo - a match highlighted Redlands’ improvement and which was also a valuable lesson to the Kings;

Coorparoo’s Jackson Dalrymple, right, looks for a grab in the pack. He kicked four vital goals at the weekend. Picture, John Gass

+ Morningside had seven players hit the score sheet on its way to winning a rematch with Wilston Grange by 34 points, consolidating fourth position for the Panthers;

+ PBC were big movers, with a percent boosting 132 win over Surfers Paradise helping them to fourth position;

+ Noosa’s 12-10-82 to 2-4-16 win against Labrador kept Noosa at the top of the table, with Muir’s four goals helping his side mount an impressive percentage victory;

+ third placed Aspley won its clash against Maroochydore in third term, winning the battle for the ball and rebounding to kick 3-1 to two behinds.

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So who were the best in the air players from your club? All is revealed below.

Kai Anderson (Wilston Grange)

High on confidence, Anderson is energy rare when it comes to some of his grabs this season. He is backing himself and bringing in the marks for his side.

Morningside’s Cooper Joseph’s soars high earlier in the season against Wilston Grange. Photo: Stephen Archer

Cooper Joseph and Clancy Muniandy (Morningside)

At respective ends of the field, backman Joseph and forward Muniandy were great in the air.

Joseph’s performance in the backline during the final term of the 2024 grand final, where he locked down the medal for best on ground, highlighted his strength in the air.

Down on the forward line, Muniandy deserves a special mention for his grabs.

Clancy Muniandy, facing the camera, listens to an address earlier in the season. Photos by Stephen Archer

Sam Murray (Labrador)

Murray is a marel in the forward line, someone who gets his hands on the ball regularly.

Around the ground, halfback Kaden Newton and Oliver Garrett also lead the way with intercept marks

Elijah Kim (Sherwood)

Standing at 191cm in height, Kim is a strong and athletic footy player, often unbeaten in the air and physical at ground level. He is an athlete who you sense would be successful at whatever he turns his hand to.

Jackson Bridge of Sherwood gets off the ground to take a grab from Aspley’s Thomas Steel who went for the punch. Picture, John Gass

Jacob Edwards (Sherwood)

If Edwards and Elijah Kim, mentioned above, were playing footy before 2008, you could excuse Mike Brady releasing his famous 2008 song ‘Up their Cazaly’ off the back of their aerial talent.

A softly spoken young young giant, the 191cm tall Edwards is diligent the way he goes about his work.

He has a high footy IQ and knows when to take his moment to soar above the pack and take a wonderful contested mark in packs sometimes three or four deep.

“It is a privilege to have a young man of character like this in our group in 2025,’’ said Sherwood coach Damian Haber.

Aspley players warm up this season. Picture, John Gass

Hamish McPherson (Aspley)

With vise-like hands, once McPherson gets his hands on the ball, he rarely gets beaten in the air.

“What I love about him is he is prepared to either fly into packs and catch the ball or has great craft and is able to hit up on a lead and catch the footy,’’ said his coach Brett Atkins.

“To be brutally honest. he has some of the best hands I have seen in a youth footballer for a long time.’’

Aspley’s Zac Brown leaves the ground against PBC earlier in the season.

Jai Leach (PBC)

An x-factor player as well, Leach is a tall who is a great judge of the ball. Whenever he flies something happens.

The pack flies between Aspley and PBC earlier this season.

Nate Smith (Maroochydore)

A rising small forward who is consistent for the Roos, Smith loves an overhead screamer.

Sometimes he receives a ‘kick and pray’ approach from his teammates, but Smith is always a high percentage chance of beating his opposition number.

Noosa’s Darcy Sinage has eyes for the ball. Picture: Stephen Archer.

Darcy Dinage (Noosa)

A key centre-half or full forward player, Dinage is a mobile forward that possesses a good leap and safe hands.

His efforts off the ball in finding clear running room and space is a big reason for his work at the contest.

Wispa Brain (Noosa)

Can pop up anywhere and loves to attack the ball with both legs high in the air.

The brother of Brisbane Lions talent Shadeau has started the 2025 season in great form.

Jesse Wenzell (Broadbeach)

The most likely player in the side to take a big hanger, Wenzell has a great vertical leap and good set of hands. He always seems a moment away from tearing the game apart with his overhead marking

Jonathan Culley (Mt Gravatt)

Key forward Culley must have super glue on his hands, because once he touches the ball, it stays caught. He has a good leap and loves to take the ball at its highest point.’’

Rory Lloyd (Mt Gravatt)

A key defender, the more confident this kid gets at full back, the more intercept marks he takes. Lloyd often marks the most dangerous forward and consistently does well on him

Lachlan Taylor (Mt Gravatt)

A midfielder from the Vultures, Taylor has a great pair of hands and would fit in nicely at centre half forward if needed. You can’t say that about too many midfielders.

Stacks on the mill last Saturday between Redland-Victoria Point and Coorparoo. Saturday June 7, 2025. Picture, John Gass

Harvey Bannister (Coorparoo)

Bannister is the classic key forward, the type of player every team dreams of having.

Elite in the air and superb at reading the ball above his head, he consistently takes marks that can turn the momentum of a game. Nothing seems to escape his reach.

Bannister’s hard work in positioning and timing has paid off this season, rewarding both himself and the team with some spectacular goals.

Bannister’s presence up front adds a crucial attacking threat that keeps the opposition on their toes.

Billy Brenac (Surfers Paradise)

A key player at fullback, Brenac has the ability to take intercept marks. He is always competitive and battles in the contest.

Max Boultbee high above his rival in the ruck. Picture, John Gass

Max Boultbee and Tommy Porteous (Redland-Victoria Point)

Boultbee is a high flying forward who has vice-like hands, while Porteous is an intercepting defender who kills packs and loves a big mark.

Redland-Victoria Point’s Lucas Andersen, and Charlie Moreton McDougall contest along side Coorparoo pair Jordi Groom and Samuel Lawrence. Saturday June 7, 2025. Picture, John Gass

Originally published as QAFL colts: The best airborne specialists who fly at your club