Best on ground: We reveal Qld’s best grassroots Aussie Rules star
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AUSSIE RULES: Centrals Trinity Beach midfielder Josh Matulis has been crowned the best grassroots Aussie rules footballer in Queensland.
Matulis claimed the title ahead of Curra’s Ty Auton, outpointing more than 100 footballers from across the Sunshine State in the popular vote.
When asked of Matulis’s best attributes, his coach Luke Morgan had the perfect, albeit cheeky, response.
“His best attributes? I really think he must have a great social networking following,” he said.
Matulis started his footy journey at Mount Martha on the Mornington Peninsula, then came through the ranks at Surfers Paradise.
He played two games for Southport in the NEAFL in 2017 during his decade at the Gold Coast, then moved to Cairns for a fresh start in 2020.
Matulis was dominant in his first season in the AFL Cairns competition, claiming the prestigious Crathern Medal after an outstanding debut campaign for Saints.
He made the shock move to Centrals Trinity Beach after the 2020 season, joining a Bulldogs club intent on building into a genuine premiership contender.
“He can win the one-on-ones most often than not – if there’s a 50-50 ball, he’ll get it,” Morgan said.
“He’s been a good player for us and we’ll expect some more good performances during the finals.”
Matulis has been named among the Bulldogs’ best in nine of his 16 appearances in 2022, as Centrals Trinity Beach finished fourth in the AFL Cairns senior competition.
The Bulldogs won seven of their last eight games in the regular season, and will host Port Douglas Crocs – the only team to have beaten them since the end of June – in the elimination final on Saturday afternoon.
The nominees
TOWNSVILLE
Hermit Park Tigers
Jesse McLay: Very tough midfielder who is very in-and-under. Jess is a very tenacious footballer who kicked 8 goals in 16 matches for the Tigers in 2021.
Callaway Parker: Very talented midfielder who is incredibly skilful. Callaway was Hermit Park’s 2021 W.J. Williams medal winner for the best and fairest.
Cale Neville: The Tigers vice-captain, Cale is a halfback-flanker with silky skills. He is a very smooth player to watch, and possesses a very high workrate.
Curra Swans
Ty Auton: Sublime skills by hand and foot, has no fear. Quality footballer who has played in the North Queensland team the last two years. Hails from Tasmania, where he’s played state-level football.
Sean Nicholson: Hard-working footballer who has all the attributes and played at some high levels including NAB Cup U18 level with one of the Victorian teams. Currently up here in the Army and has played national-level football with the national army team.
Mitchell Dennis: Hails from Curra, grew up playing for Curra, current vice-captain, never beaten in the contest, great rebounding defender, plenty of run and still only 21 years old.
Northern Beaches Suns
Ryan Price: 16-year-old Price is an up and coming star who reads the play as well as an A-grader – and he isn’t afraid to back himself against one either. After eight years of juniors for the Suns, Price made the leap into senior football this year where he has hit the ground running and earnt a permanent spot in the side, proving just how much talent he has.
Zac Smylie: 22-year-old Smylie is an old school backman reminiscent of a young Matthew Scarlet. Smylie hits the contest hard and you can always find him at the bottom of the pack. He has played footy for senior clubs in South Australia and Victoria, and has been playing for the Suns in Townsville for the past three years.
Cam Fielding: Fielding is a fast run-and-carry outside midfielder who will take the game on using his natural speed and agility to get around the opposition. The 26-year-old has played A grade for multiple clubs in Victoria, as well as playing TAC Cup, before moving up to Townsville and playing for the Suns for the last three years.
CAIRNS
Cairns Saints
Adam Gross: A perennial contender for the Matthew Walsh (leading goal-kicker) title in Cairns, they don’t come tougher than Grossy. The sure-booted forward has hit his stride again this season with pinpoint accuracy and unmatched speed at the 50.
Zac Straker: A 25-year-old gun who’s having a career year for the Saints, no one in AFL Cairns has been as outstanding inside 50 as Straker. The forward has been nearly impossible to cover on the mark, and a level of agility that makes him hard to chase on the run.
Dylan McConachy: A Saints midfielder whose routinely underrated, McConachy has come into his own this season. The fitness and determination shown in the centre by McConachy makes him a valuable cog to the Saints’ midfield corps.
Port Douglas Crocs
Kye Chapple: Despite missing a few games this year, Port’s golden booted legend Chapple has been huge in the games he’s played. Despite his size, Chapple’s ability to get ahead of his defending makes him deadly on the loose ball, and his accuracy makes him basically a sure thing for a score as well.
Liam Brandt: Coming up from Victoria during Covid, Brandt has found his grassroots calling with the Crocs. The joint 2021 Crathern medallist (B & F) has once again put his stamp on the competition this season, proving to be a hardy on baller with decision-making that’s hard to beat.
Nick Salter: An emerging reliable target inside Port’s forward 50, Salter has been hard to defend this year.
Manunda
Ezekiel Frank: A tall, reliable veteran for the Hawks in every facet of the game. Frank’s height makes him an asset in the back, midfield and especially forward line.
Corey Flint: Returning to the Hawks this year after a ruptured ACL in 2021, Flint has exploded in the midfield for Manunda this season. His speed and decision making are second to none in AFL Cairns, and his mullet is legendary.
Troy Barbero: A bullish player in the midfield for the Hawks, Barbero can supply the hard tackle as well as the accurate kicking.
South Cairns
James Boyd: With his SANFL days behind him, Boyd came to FNQ to continue to shine his brand of grassroots footy. The skilled utility has been vital to making the Cutters’ midfield click, and finds himself well in the conversation for the Crathern Medal.
Damien Hill: Similar to Boyd, Hill was another SANFL talent drawn to Fretwell Park to line up in South’s forward line. There he has been nigh on unstoppable in the contested mark, able to use his height and athleticism to out-wit any quality back.
Alex Rogers: Another reliable player for the Cutters in the midfield so far this season, Rogers’ playmaking ability is top tier.
Cairns City
Tyron Rainbird: Returning to the club after a number of years in Tasmania, Rainbird returns to the reigning premiers with a vengeance. He’s been arguably the best inside 50 for the Lions when it comes to goalscoring, Rainbird’s sure-footedness has made the Lions a premiership favourite this year too.
Jake Long: The former Essendon Bomber has outshone every opposing team’s midfield almost single-handedly this season. He remains the coach’s MVP and Crathern Medal favourite thanks to his insane athleticism in transition as well as his iron grip hands that almost always collect the loose ball.
Beau Flint: The young vice-captain for the Lions has taken his game to another level this season. The 2021 grand final MVP show’s unbelievable maturity in the halves for Cairns City, showing excellent decision making and cleverness held by many veterans.
North Cairns
Boe Collins: Coming up to Watsons Oval from the Geelong Football League, Collins’ speed and aggressiveness has laid the groundwork for a bright future for the Tigers.
Darcy Keast: Another player from the GFL who’s made a huge impact for the Tigers, Keast’s defensive capabilities and his ball hawk mentality have helped the Tigers out of the large deficits of the previous seasons.
Brock Carter: The third player to join the side from the GFL, Carter’s impact in the ruck and leadership qualities have built him into the most reliable player in Tigerland this season.
Centrals Trinity Beach
Michael Griechen: Joining Centrals from Victoria, Griechen’s a force to be reckoned with in the midfield. Charging through the flanks, co-ordinating his teammates in the transition and showing no mercy in the possession game makes Griechen a unique and valued piece to the Bulldogs.
Lachie Rhook: After transitioning from Souths to Centrals this season, Rhook has stamped his brand of footy on Crathern Park. The crafty half forward has made his impact known across the field, with crafty footwork and accurate on-the-run kicking that has made him a sure thing for much-needed goals.
Josh Matulis: Much like Centrals themselves, Matulis was slow to get going in 2022. However, the midfield veteran has gelled with the likes of Griechen to form an unstoppable midfield, bringing his surgical ability to scope out free teammates downfield.
Brisbane
Morningside
Wilson Barry: A club junior, the midfielder never made rep teams in the past but looks a hidden gem in the local competition. The elite touch footballer is making a great fist of life in Aussie rules.
Kelly Castle: The Bribie Island product slipped through the cracks of AFL systems but is proving worthy of a shot at VFL level. Few can keep up with his blinding speed.
O’Neill Moncrieff: Another club junior who rose through the colts system to become a super consistent member of the side. Very tough and will feature highly in the B and F awards.
Mt Gravatt
Todd Carbone: Has been at the club for a long time and the co-captain remains an influential leader on and off the field. The utility gives 100 per cent each week.
Jake Torney: A halfback flanker, the teen has proven ultra-consistent and his reading of the game and toughness set him apart from rivals in the competition.
Gavin Grose: Now in the veteran status, Grose is a club and league great after previously spending time in the NEAFL with Aspley. A key backline member who offers vital leadership.
Sherwood
Toara Marango: The centre half-back has dominated the QAFL this season and even tagged as a defender. Courageous player who is brilliant at taking interception marks from inside 50.
Josh Coombes: A full forward who has explosive speed and takes contested marks. Can win the ball in the aerial contests as well as when the ball hits the ground. Extremely hard for the opposition to match up on him and has kicked plenty of goals since back from injury.
Luke Mitchell: Midfielder and great older head who leads by example, brilliant around the stoppage and clean at ground level. Has a penetrating kick and is an all-round super player.
Wilston Grange
Matthew Payne: Regarded as one of the best players in the competition for 15 years, the veteran is a three-time Grogan Medal winner. Despite being in his twilight the midfielder remains a star.
Daniel Bowles: Arrived from NT this season and has proven a game-breaker, chiming in with goals from halfback while adding class to the side.
Zack Derston: The key forward has been booting goals for fun in 2022 and given he’s in his early 20s looks to be a vital player in the competition for a long time to come.
SUNSHINE COAST
Maroochydore Roos
Mitchell Scholard:Scholard’s AFL ceiling seems to get bigger and bigger every season. With the Maroochydore Roos key forward kicking 100 goals in the 2018 Sunshine Coast division one season, his efforts in recent years have been just as strong. The powerful key forward helped lead his sixth placed Roos all the way to the grand final last season while also finishing the year as the competition’s leading goalscorer.
Sam McLachlan: The silky skilled on ballplayer is a major threat for his opposition throughout every minute of the match. Pair his fast-paced skills with his penetrating left foot kick, it’s easy to understand why he ends up on this list.
Lochie Laing: Laing has made a very strong claim as one of the QAFL’s best centre half forwards after a number of highly impressive performances against top opposition. His powerful and impressive, inspirational nature on the contest is a key reason for his ability to draw a crowd.
Noosa Tigers
Connor McDonald: The damaging ruckman has once again proved why he’s one of the region’s best with standout performances week-after-week. His aggressive but composed nature around the ruck is influential and a major reason for why the Tigers midfield are able to break out on attack.
Aaron Laskey: The Tigers skipper has once again been outstanding in the midfield in 2022. The dual-premiership captain claimed the club’s best and fairest award in 2021 and hasn’t stopped there with impressive performances and plenty of effort plays every week.
Lachie Flagg: The key Tigers defender has impressed many in his first season with the club. His efforts at the back hardly go unnoticed, keeping his side in the contest and creating havoc for the opposition.
Hinterland Blues
Jacob Knight: The goal kicking machine is full of composure on the mark and isn’t afraid to go airborne at the contest. His electric playing style means he’s a handful for defenders and holds a classy range of skills in his duffel bag.
Nathan Spring: The Blues vice-captain and midfielder has been referred to by many as an opposition ‘bull’. His clean and high level of skills on and off the ball has made him a player to watch every time he steps onto the field.
Joshua Nanninga: Known as one of competitions quickest and most electrifying players, the Blues midfielder continuously places his opposition in two minds. His skills with his hands and feet are some of the best in the competition and definitely makes him a fan favourite to watch.
North Shore Jets
Frankie Robinson: The on-ball midfielder is a complete competitor and his skills with the ball in hand make him a threat to the opposition off every play. Robinson’s aerial skills are also an impressive attribute anywhere on the field.
Dan Ryan: An all-round footballer with impressive skills and a solid footy IQ. His effort plays and communication with his teammates make him a standout performer every week.
Jekodah Spears: The talented ruckman is a tireless work horse for his team and often it’s the main reason for his edge over his opposition matchup. His work at the contest is always 100% and has the skills with the ball-in-hand to back it up.
Caloundra Panthers
Tim Kimberley: Twin one, Tim, is a phenomenal runner on and off the ball and is a major threat for opposition defenders anywhere on the field.
Brad Kimberley: Twin two, Brad, is identical in how he plays to his brother Tim as an effective runner, a great distributor of the ball and holds complete composure to control the speed and style of how the match is played.
Max Jacobsen: The tall and effective ruckman has made a name for himself in recent years with opposition marksmen keeping an eye on him at all times. His work at the contest and in support for his teammates keeps his name in the conversation for top performing players week after week.
Gympie Cats
Kade Kent: An extremely tough midfielder that poses a silky left foot. Kent’s knowledge on and off the ball has proven to be a shining light for the Gympie teammates.
Mitch Maddock: A strong centre-half back that rarely takes no for an answer. Maddock’s performances in one-on-one situations are regarded as some of the best in the competition.
Zac Nash-Smith: The in and under on ballplayer breaks tackles with ease and finds a way to distribute the footy to the player or area with the most benefit.
ROCKHAMPTON
Yeppoon Swans
Matt Wallin: The Yeppoon Swans’ inspirational captain who has been at the helm during the team’s historic run to the most consecutive wins in Aussie rules history. A dangerous midfielder, he leads from the front with his attacking and defensive efforts. Was a member of the North Queensland men’s team this year.
Sebastian Kilpatrick-Brazier: One of the best lockdown defenders in the AFL Capricornia competition. He has come through the Yeppoon Swans junior ranks and developed into an integral part of the senior team’s success. He is ‘Mr Reliable’ and his coaches know that he will deliver each week.
Jayden Pain: A hard-running wingman who is a real excitement machine. He moved to the wing position this year and has made it his own. A great leader on the field, he is a dynamic player with his pace, goal sense and flair.
Glenmore Bulls
Darcy Payne: The Glenmore Bulls co-captain is a wonderful leader and terrific competitor around the stoppages. He is strong over the ball and has a great ability to bust through packs, collecting contested possessions at will. When on the outside, Darcy has excellent skills by foot and hits the scoreboard often when going forward. If the game is on the line, he will be leading from the front willing his team to a win.
Thomas Blackborough: The 19-year-old has returned to the AFL Capricornia comp after a year in South Australia playing AFL. After a promising junior career, Tom has gone from strength to strength after his time away. One of the Bulls’ most prolific ball winners, he plays well above his weight class. With clean hands and great football IQ, he hurts teams around the stoppages, on the outside and by foot going inside 50.
Tim Higgins: The co-captain divides his time between full forward and midfield with co-captain Darcy Payne in what is one of the strongest 1-2 combos in AFL Capricornia. Tim works hard on the outside of stoppages to link up play with excellent foot skills and quick decision making. When going forward, Tim has a strong lead, safe hands and a terrific set shot for goal which has seen him finish second in the league for goal kicking.
BITS Saints
Tom Grainger: A local product who has made his return to the competition after a six-year absence. A solid contributor, he is a serious contender for the Bernie Gottke Medal this season. A high possession winner, he is a smooth mover and uses the ball well.
Scott Jackman: An experienced campaigner who never takes a backward step. He is very courageous – a never-say-die defender who has good hands, attacks the ball and has one of the best marks in the AFL Capricornia competition.
Ty Fitzgerald: A star on the rise, Ty is a member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy under-17 squad. He is a consistent performer for BITS and regularly features in the team’s best and fairest each week. He is a fierce competitor who mixes it with much more senior opposition.
Brothers Kangaroos
James Richardson: A courageous player, he routinely puts his body on the line and never takes a backward step when the ball is there to be won. As a smaller mid, he displays a nice inside/outside blend with the ball winning and tackling on the inside, but then the composure, neat and tidy skills, high work rate and outside run. With good speed, agility and evasion, he mixes this with damaging skills by foot whether he is locating and hitting inside 50m targets or finishing around goal himself.
Luke Rumpf: With an established reputation for the ease with which he breaks the lines with his run, evades opponents on the move and precisely places his kicks out in front of targets to lead onto, Luke is one of Rockhampton Brothers most exciting offensive players. Kicking five-plus goals is usual for him.
Connor West: Through the midfield, he is a strong, contested ball winner who combines that with a burst of speed and class with ball in hand. As a forward, Connor hits the scoreboard at will and is a strong overhead mark who hurts opponents both with his work on the lead and aerially.
FRASER COAST
Hervey Bay Bombers
Ben Holland: Emerging full forward is a fantastic pack mark and has raced up the goalkicking charts for the undefeated club. Strong on the lead and a solid kick for goal.
Coden Koumides: Young halfback is known for his second and third efforts on the ball, often appearing well up the field only moments after getting an initial touch. An elite kick who rarely misses a target.
Dave Briscoe: Midfielder missed a large part of the season through injury but remains one of the key cogs in the side. A powerful runner and great kick who has tremendous game smarts.
Brothers Bulldogs
Tristan Taylor: The club captain who made the annual North versus South rep game in 2022, another reward for the long-serving ruckman. The tallest player in the local competition.
Jack Sickerdick: Finally reached 100 senior matches in 2022 after a string of injuries. Has been playing at the club since juniors and has strong family links to the footy community in the region.
Michael Lovett: Veteran defender and club junior moved from defence to the wing this campaign and remains a Brothers great. Has long been a fixture in rep matches.
Bay Power
Matt Schlien: Young midfielder who continues to get better and is set to try his hand in southern leagues next season. Has become a fixture in the South Queensland rep side.
Adam Mason: A one-time Brisbane Lions academy member, the 19-year-old could yet make it at a higher level. Moved back home in 2022 and has proven a firm and reliable hand in midfield.
Josh Wheeler: Now 33, the full forward remains one of the key players in the side. An old school player who has won eight of the 12 grand finals he’s featured in.
The Waves
Michael Blai: After debuting as a 15-year-old the midfielder is still going strong after 20 years. He gets beaten up week in and out and cops his fair share of behind the ball treatment. Won five B and F awards.
Jason Bethune: Has his own pocket and regularly kicks them from in front of the crowd. Iced a grand final from the pocket in 2020, and has been captain for five years. Wins leading goalkicker religiously.
TOOWOOMBA
South Toowoomba Bombers
Trent Saxelby: A quick, tough and well-round skill player who can make an impact anywhere in the midfield. His big boot also makes a goalscoring threat.
Johnathan Leidig: A naturally gifted footballer who plays a ‘step above’ those around him. Confident under the ball, Leidig has a great mark and plays with confidence.
Gabe Robbie: The supremely talented full forward is in the form of his life booting home goals for fun this season. Robbie averaged 5.2 goals a game in the regular season for a 73-goal talent. His form in front of goal is a huge part of Bombers success to date.
Coolaroo
Hayden Smith: The Coolaroo skipper is a natural leader and one of the competition’s toughest players. A tough man to tackle, Smith leads by example and makes a massive impact in the middle of the park.
Jacob Sheath: The silky skilled elusive forward makes playing football look easy. Has contributed 23 goals this season but does his best work as a ‘link up’ man between his team’s defensive and forward.
Jayden Smith: AFL Darling Downs reigning best and fairest winner plays a pure brand of footy no matter where he lines up on the field. One of the competition’s benchmark players and can always be relied on to get the job done.
Warwick Redbacks
Tyhe Clarkson: The Redbacks would look a lot different without Clarkson in their squad. As well as being one of AFL Darling Downs benchmark players for countless seasons, Clarkson has also had an impact at the representative level. The extremely passionate and skilled player is capable of shining anywhere on the park.
Steven Grogan: The Warwick captain inspires his teammates to lift their game to another level.
Jayden Grogan: Footlose and fancy free on the wing, Grogan is one of the competition’s hardest players to tackle. He expertly combines his blistering speed with mesmerising footwork and a very handy skillset.
Dalby Swans
Kyle Hope: Has a phenomenal workrate pushing up and down the flanks to ensure he present a forward target for his midfield. Plays an exciting brand of football when he has the space to move.
Brandon Pelt: A real workhorse in the middle of the park. Always willing to scrap and fight to secure the ball when it’s loose. Loves to get his head over the ball and is rarely ‘knocked off’ despite his relative small size.
Steven Tapp: The Swans big man is more than comfortable as both ends of the park thanks to his knack for winning contested marks. Has a fantastic all-round skill set.
GOLD COAST
Palm Beach Currumbin
Callum McBurnie: An impressive halfback who reads the ball well, is known for his intercept marking and is courageous in the contest.
Zac Harrison: A tough and competitive beast who racks up possessions for the Lions while playing between the wing and midfield.
AJ Dawson: A young player who has grown into a dependable wingman. Dawson is disciplined and a competitor who understands the game well.
Surfers Paradise:
Brody Haberfield: A strong medium-sized player who often plays like a tall in both the forward and backline. Haberfield is incredibly tough to play against and is rarely beaten one-on-one.
Matt Green: Not a pretty footballer by any means but this ruck/forward is as effective as they come.
Kain Ford: A skilful midfielder who posses great evasive skills, can navigate through congestion and uses the ball well.
Labrador
Jayden Young: A very good defender who rarely gets beaten in the contest. He can play on talls or smalls.
Matt Lee: A superb two-way runner who finds the ball, uses it well and is hard to pin down. Lee plays in the midfield and as a forward.
Tom Simpson: A midfield/defender who wins his own ball, has a penetrating kick and is as tough as they come.
Broadbeach
Josh Searl: A reliable player who has led the reigning QAFL premiers even better in 2022 while playing at halfback.
James Gledhill: A fullback who does his job every week. Gledhill is a no-fuss player who is hard to match up on and rarely gets beaten.
Brandon Chadwick: A playing life member who knows how to find the footy in the midfield. The Cats stalwart uses the ball well and is incredibly tough.
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