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2025 AFLQ Schools Cup live stream: Meet the captains ready to lead their schools to glory

A strong contingent of up-and-coming young leaders will guide their teams into battle when the AFLQ Schools Cup state finals kick off on Friday. Meet the captains HERE.

A host of Queensland’s best young Aussie rules captains will be hoping they can lead their teams to victory at the AFLQ Schools Cup state finals. Pictures: Supplied.
A host of Queensland’s best young Aussie rules captains will be hoping they can lead their teams to victory at the AFLQ Schools Cup state finals. Pictures: Supplied.

Coaches from every secondary division have uncovered which players will be the ones to lead their team to 2025 glory as 62 teams remain in the hunt for AFLQ Schools Cup state finals glory.

The top schools from all four corners of Queensland have progressed through the knockout competition, with the aim to come away with the ultimate bragging rights.

KommunityTV will bring you an exclusive live stream of the finals running from Friday to Sunday at the Maroochydore Multisports Complex on the Sunshine Coast.

Meet the players who will be tasked with leading their school side through the finals.

WATCH THE AFLQ SCHOOLS CUP FINALS LIVE HERE.

JUNIOR MALE

JACOB ARFUSO (HELENSVALE SHS)

Helensvale SHS junior Aussie rules talent Jacob Arfuso.
Helensvale SHS junior Aussie rules talent Jacob Arfuso.

A smart ball user with great positional awareness, Arfuso will make a big impact on the wing and through the midfield for his side.

Like any leader, Arfuso has great work ethic and a team first mentality.

KAI HAWKER (PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS)

A running machine who provides the team with excellent rebound off the half back line, Hawker displays fantastic leadership qualities, a team first attitude and a true care about his teammates.

XIAH HELLYER (KIRWAN SHS)

Kirwan SHS captain Xiah Hellyer.
Kirwan SHS captain Xiah Hellyer.

A highly driven rising athlete and young man who loves his sport, Hellyer is a strong leader around the group and leads from the front on and off the field.

His work ethic and intensity sets the tone for his teammates who walk taller with Hellyer leading them into battle.

OLIVER PITT (ST LAURENCE’S COLLEGE)

St Laurence's Oliver Pitt.
St Laurence's Oliver Pitt.

A contested bull, Pitt tackles all day long and loves putting his head over the footy to dish it to his teammates in open space.

A natural leader who paves the way through his on-field action with his ‘never take a backwards step’ attitude.

JUNIOR FEMALE

MIKA DEAR (ST MARGARET MARY’S COLLEGE)

Mika Dear will be one to watch at the AFLQ Schools Cup Finals.
Mika Dear will be one to watch at the AFLQ Schools Cup Finals.

Dear leads by example when she steps on the field.

She is a humble and hardworking player who gives her all and works hard in every contest.

Whether it’s chasing down and tackling an opponent or supporting her teammates, she is a valuable member of the St Margaret Mary’s College team.

BROOKE EDWARDS (HELENSVALE SHS)

A standout ruck and key forward, Edwards is a tall player with a penetrating kick.

She has great hands, leads by example and is a great role model for the younger players.

AMELIA TOPPER and CHANCE SPICER (PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS)

Topper is a powerful and skilful midfielder who reads the play well and will be at the bottom of every pack.

Spicer leads by example as a hard, tough and disciplined forward who swaps through the middle.

BRISBANE SOUTH SSC

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YOUTH MALE

HAYDEN BURROWS (ST LAURENCE’S COLLEGE)

Hayden Burrows in action for St Laurence's.
Hayden Burrows in action for St Laurence's.

A key halfback flanker, Burrows reads the game well as an intercept defender who provides punch with a powerful left boot often turning defence into offence.

‘Dos’ as he’s affectionately known by his teammates, leads by example through word and action.

He is the ultimate competitor who would do anything for his peers.

WILL IRELAND (VARSITY COLLEGE)

The heart and soul of the Varsity youth male team, Ireland is a great leader who can play all over the ground but excels as a key defender.

He is extremely athletic and a passionate leader getting the boys motivated and ready to play.

IGNATIUS PARK COLLEGE

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BRISBANE SOUTH SSC

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YOUTH FEMALE

FREYA MCINTOSH (MOUNTAIN CREEK SHS)

Mountain Creek SHS players Olivia Matthews, Freya McIntosh, Lucy Vanthoff, Eleanor Podsiadly and Jovie Telford. Picture: Patrick Woods.
Mountain Creek SHS players Olivia Matthews, Freya McIntosh, Lucy Vanthoff, Eleanor Podsiadly and Jovie Telford. Picture: Patrick Woods.

A key centre half forward that possesses a strong overhead mark and impressive goal kicking ability, McIntosh’s second efforts both in the air and at ground level set the standard for others to follow.

She encourages and supports her teammates and leads by example in everything that she does.

JASMINE BOWE and CEANNE SABATINO (ST MONICA’S COLLEGE)

Bowe, a key midfielder, and Sabatino, a standout defender, lead by example on and off the field.

Bowe brings incredible drive, composure and skill through the midfield, consistently lifting her teammates with her work rate and determination.

Sabatino demonstrates strength, leadership, and resilience in defence, inspiring confidence and unity within the team.

Together they model sportsmanship, teamwork, and passion for the game, setting a high standard for their peers to follow.

TOBI SKALIJ (VARSITY COLLEGE)

Tobi Skalij of the Gold Coast Suns Academy. Picture: Instagram/Shot from the Boundary
Tobi Skalij of the Gold Coast Suns Academy. Picture: Instagram/Shot from the Boundary

A fierce competitor who is super consistent, Skalij is an extremely hard runner that uses her speed and power to drive out of contests to start our attack.

She’s very skilful and possesses a great overhead mark.

MIA HOKINS and LAYLA EMMETT (PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS)

Hokins is capable of playing anywhere on the field.

In a star-studded team, she leads with great clarity and calmness while Emmett is a strong midfield competitor.

She will tackle, chase and lead the way with pressure for her teammates to follow.

SENIOR MALE

CHARLIE LAWRENCE (ST AUGUSTINE’S COLLEGE)

St Augustine's captain Charlie Lawrence.
St Augustine's captain Charlie Lawrence.

Lawrence is a composed footballer that doesn’t get flustered with the ball in hand.

A player known for his smarts when it comes to his leading patterns and knows where the goals are.

Slotting in as a forward or utility, his composure and ability to make the right decision with the ball will be crucial to his teams success in the state finals.

WILLIS DEL-RE and SAMUEL LONGOBARDI (PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS)

Dual midfielders who thrive on both side’s of the ball, Del-Re and Longobardi will lead from the front in their aim to defend their senior male title.

Del-Re is a professional in his preparation, training and on-field leadership.

He brings an uncompromising work ethic, strong defensive actions, and clean skills by both hand or foot while Longobardi brings a tenacious edge and fierce attack on both the ball or opposition.

He has explosive speed out of the stoppage and can go forward to take a big mark and contribute on the scoreboard for his team.

BEN MORRISON (ST LAURENCE’S COLLEGE)

St Laurence's senior captain Ben Morrison.
St Laurence's senior captain Ben Morrison.

A powerful onballer who splits his time as a half-forward, Morrison is capable of winning his own footy, locking down opponents and incredibly damaging with possession by hand or foot.

When he goes forward, he adds immediate scoreboard pressure with his pace and goal sense.

His passion for St Laurence’s Aussie rules is infectious and his teammates feel it.

BEN LILLICO and ARCHIE WATTS (IONA COLLEGE)

Iona College co-captains Ben Lillico and Archie Watts.
Iona College co-captains Ben Lillico and Archie Watts.

Lillico is a tough midfielder who leads extremely well through his actions.

He never stops working hard and bring others into the game with his neat skills and also loves kicking a goal.

Watts is a versatile player who can play midfield, forward and back.

A leader within the team who wants the best for all his mates and creates an enjoyable atmosphere within the team.

He has great endurance coupled with good skills and will continue to work in both offence and defence as the game demands.

SENIOR FEMALE

INDIANA CRAIGIE (ST PETERS LUTHERAN COLLEGE)

St Peters Lutheran College captain Indiana Craigie.
St Peters Lutheran College captain Indiana Craigie.

Craigie is a crafty forward known for her silky skills and sharp goal sense.

She rarely misses an opportunity to hit the scoreboard and has been a consistent threat in attack all season.

As captain, she’s led the team magnificently both on and off the field with composure, passion, and a true team-first attitude.

A natural leader and the glue that holds her team together.

MACY RUSSELL (TRINITY BAY SHS)

A standout from centre half back, Russell leads with strength, passion, and an undeniable presence on the field.

She’s tough in every contest, commanding in the air, and never afraid to use her voice to lift and guide the team.

Her energy and determination set the standard for everyone around her.

LIBBY WARWICK (HELENSVALE SHS)

A quiet achiever that goes all day and gets the job done.

A talented inside midfielder and a great contested ball winner, Warwick is super consistent and a humble team member.

MATISSE FRANCIS, JAMIE COLLINS and IZZY MCPHERSON (PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS)

The trio of captains have been key for PBC throughout the competition and will stand tall once again in the finals.

Francis is a key position threat at both ends, competing for every possession and never beaten.

Collins is all class, possesses a beautiful kick and overhead mark who makes space where there is none.

McPherson is a classical midfielder with neat skills, an amazing ability to find the footy and knows where the goals are.

Originally published as 2025 AFLQ Schools Cup live stream: Meet the captains ready to lead their schools to glory

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Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/sport/2025-aflq-schools-cup-live-stream-meet-the-captains-ready-to-lead-their-schools-to-glory/news-story/d42154cddbde5b6cd6c9b0470719366b