Ten best Gold Coast QAFL players of the past decade

The QAFL has provided a platform for emerging stars to leap into the AFL and those in the twilight of their careers who can help mould the next generation. So who makes the list of the best Gold Coast players to have featured in QAFL over the past decade?

THE Queensland Australian Football League has provided a platform for emerging stars to leap into the AFL and those in the twilight of their careers who can help mould the next generation.

So who makes the list of the best Gold Coast players to have made the greatest impact in the QAFL over the past decade?

The Bulletin reveals the figures who have soared above the rest in the state’s premier competition.

1. Dayne Zorko – A Surfers Paradise junior who went on to win four consecutive senior best and fairests with Broadbeach, his last in the NEAFL in 2011, before joining the Brisbane Lions in the AFL. He has since gone on to win four best and fairests for the Lions. Zorko, 30, was the best pressure player in the QAFL and it’s no different at AFL level. He has a penetrating kick and strong across the field.

Accolades:

– Broadbeach best and fairest (2010). Won another in the QAFL in 2011 and two others outside of the past decade.

Dayne Zorko (centre) of the Lions leads his team onto the field before the Second Semi Final match between the Brisbane Lions and the Greater Western Sydney Giants during week 2 of the AFL Finals Series at the Gabba in Brisbane, Saturday, September 14, 2019. (AAP Image/Darren England)

2. Bryce Retzlaff – The respected forward has thrived across multiple levels in different states. The 28-year-old Labrador junior helped guide the Tigers to the QAFL premiership in 2016 and tied for second in the Grogan medal count in 2017. Outside of the QAFL, Retzlaff featured in the NEAFL’s team of the year in 2010 while playing for Brisbane, who he won the NEAFL premiership with in 2012. He also won a VFL premiership with Box Hill in 2013.

The big key forward also has a huge running capacity.

Accolades:

– QAFL premiership 2016.

– QAFL team of the year 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.

– Labrador best and fairest (2019).

Labrador QAFL captain Bryce Retzlaff (Labrador) with premiership cup. Picture: Glenn Hampson

3. Brody Haberfield – A Surfers Paradise junior and Demons playing life member. Haberfield, 25, is an underrated defender who gets the best forward every week. Super tough, reliable and great clubman. Can go forward if required. Haberfield has played 152 senior games for the Demons since 2010 and played a critical role in 2019 drought breaking flag.

Accolades:

– QAFL Premiership (2019).

– Surfers Paradise captain (2017, 2018 and 2019).

– Surfers Paradise best and fairest (2017). Runner-up (2015 and 2016).

– QAFL team of the year (2017, 2018, 2019).

– QAFL representative selection (2017 but unable to play, 2019)

– QAFL representative captain (2019).

– Runner-up in Grogan Medal (2018).

– Anzac Day medal (2019).

QAFL Surfers Paradise Demons: 2019 captain Brody Haberfield. Pic Tim Marsden

4. Jesse Derrick – A Palm Beach Currumbin junior who has played 168 senior games for the club and 102 for Broadbeach. Derrick, 30, is the most versatile player on the Lions list, he can play anywhere except ruck and performs well every week.

Accolades:

– Gorgan Medal (2016). Has finished top five three other times.

– QAFL team of the year five times.

– Two club best and fairests, runner-up four times.

– Three premierships (2013, 2017 and 2018).

– Represented Queensland twice and played at two Queensland Country carnivals.

Palm Beach Currumbin player Jesse Derrick training at Salk Oval. Picture: Glenn Hampson

5. Todd Featherstone – A rugby league convert who played 13 seasons at Labrador. The 38-year-old played 230 senior games for the Tigers between 2005 and 2017 and was a tackling machine. Featherstone kicked the winning goal in Labrador’s 2015 grand final win.

Accolades:

– Grogan Medal (2007).

– QAFL premiership (2015 and 2016).

– Best on ground in 2015 QAFL grand final.

– QAFL team of the year (2006, 2007 and 2010).

– Labrador best and fairest (2006 and 2008).

– Former Queensland representative.

– Labrador team of the decade (2000-2010).

Labrador's Todd Featherstone in action in the QAFL grand final between Labrador and Palm Beach-Currumbin. Photo: Jerad Williams

6. Jason Burge – The classy midfielder arrived at Palm Beach Currumbin after playing 167 games for the Southport Sharks between 2003 and 2016, winning the club’s best and fairest in 2012 and 2013. Burge, 33, has played 53 QAFL games for the Lions and was instrumental in the club’s premiership success in 2017 and 2018. Burge was also named in the NEAFL team of the year between 2012 and 2014 while at Southport.

Accolades:

– QAFL premiership (2006 and 2008 with Southport and 2017 and 2018 with Palm Beach Currumbin).

– Palm Beach Currumbin best and fairest (2017).

– QAFL team of the year (2017, 2018 and 2019).

– Grogan Medal (2017). Runner-up in 2013 (Southport), 2013 and 2018.

– Syd Guildford runner-up (2017).

Palm Beach-Currumbin player Jason Burge kicking. Picture: Richard Gosling

7. Dan Green – The Surfers Paradise junior who went on to become a goalkicking machine. The 32-year-old played around 150 senior games for the Demons and retired at the end of the 2019 after winning the QAFL premiership with the club.

Accolades:

– QAFL premiership (2019).

– Represented Queensland twice.

– Won a Surfers Paradise best and fairest title. Runner-up twice.

– Runner-up in the Grogan Medal in 2016.

– Won the QAFL’s Ray Hughson Medal for most goals in the season (84) in 2016.

Demons premiership player Dan Green celebrates winning the 2019 QAFL grand final. Photo: Jason O'Brien Photography

8. Adam Clarke – An underrated midfield-forward who was very quick, dangerous near goal and was highly skilled. Clarke was a key player in Labrador’s resurgence from 2014 and played over 150 senior games for the Tigers.

Accolades:

– Represented Queensland on two occasions.

– Labrador best and fairest (2015 and 2017).

– QAFL premiership (2015 and 2016).

– Named in the QAFL team of the year three times.

Labrador’s Adam Clarke kicking. Picture: Richard Gosling

9. Ryan Dienjes – A quality player who has enjoyed success at Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. The 29-year-old, who made his senior debut at the age of 15 at Broadbeach, has a big body, is a thumping kick of the footy and could play midfield or back. Dienjes has played 148 games for Broadbeach and around 70 for Surfers Paradise.

Accolades:

– Became a playing life member at Broadbeach in 2019.

– Named Broadbeach’s most consistent in 2018.

– Broadbeach best and fairest (2015).

– Runner-up in Surfers Paradise best and fairest (2012 and 2014).

– Surfers Paradise best and fairest (2011 and 2013).

Broadbeach player Ryan Dienjes in action at the QAFL Round 6 Aussie Rules match between Broadbeach and Palm Beach Currumbin at Subaru Oval. Picture: Jerad Williams

10. Josh Searl – The Cats playing life member has played 140 senior games for Broadbeach and the 29-year-old is set to return in 2020. Searl is deceptively quick and can play

anywhere. His best footy was played as a small defender.

Accolades:

– Broadbeach best and fairest (2014 and 2016).

– QAFL state representative (2014 and 2019).

– QAFL team of the year (2019).

– Broadbeach vice-captain (2014 to 2019).

– Became a Broadbeach playing life member in 2017.

Broadbeach QAFL players and Life members Josh Searl (left) and Nathan Quick get ready for the Grand final. Picture Glenn Hampson