QAFL best recruits and debutantes of the 2025 season
The 2025 QAFL season is underway as we highlight the competition’s standout recruits and rising debutantes from the opening rounds. See which names made the cut and who to keep an eye on.
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The 2025 QAFL season is well and truly underway with seven blistering rounds of footy in the books.
Palm Beach Currumbin and Redland Victoria Point sit at the top of the table with five wins each while the battle for a spot in the top eight continues to take shape.
With a handful of standout new recruits entering the competition this season, we’ve highlighted the standout performers from every club as well as the young players to keep an eye on.
Note: All stats and figures were recorded prior to Round 7.
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN
Dominic Pitt
The former Tassie Devils Coates Talent League young gun has played slightly further up the field than normal but has been an important role player for the team.
He played a key tagging role on Morningside’s Garrett McDonagh and managed to limit the former VFL star’s impact during their win against the Panthers.
Rhys King
A former VFL player with the Southport Sharks, King has asserted himself as a barometer for the Lions in the opening month of the season.
He constantly goes after the ball around the contest and is one of the leading pressure players in the competition.
His efforts have been infectious as it has helped lift the intensity of the entire Palm Beach Currumbin squad.
Harry Benson and Tom Simpson
The duo have formed a dynamic partnership in the midfield with Benson racking up several possessions a game and distributing it effectively to Simpson, who has been a revelation since joining from Labrador.
Levi Casboult
One of the competition’s biggest off-season signings has been a class above to start the season, as expected.
The former AFL star has added some great leadership to PBC as they make a serious charge for finals contention.
REDLAND-VICTORIA POINT
Charlton Offermans
Offermans has only spent limited time on the field for the Sharks so far this season as he has featured for the Brisbane Lions VFL side.
He was one the best players on the field during his side’s wet weather clash against Surfers Paradise and his contested and stoppage work has been a class above.
Matt Eagles
The former Brisbane Lions cult hero made his debut in round 5 and starred from the opening bounce as he racked up several possessions and intercept marks.
He proved himself as a clutch performer with several key moments throughout the final quarter in their two-point win over Sherwood.
Baelin Philips
The colts age young gun made his debut against Sherwood and did not look out of place as he made a solid contribution off halfback and looked composed playing at senior level.
ASPLEY
Rory Tarlinton
Has slotted in down back really well for the Hornets, proving to be a brick wall against all opposition so far this season.
His effort in one-on-ones as well as set up plays when getting the ball moving forward has been key.
Lachie O’Dwyer
A rising Colts talent that has now played four straight senior games for the Hornets.
Has been solid off half back and will only continue to improve as the season progresses.
Leo Connolly
An honourable mention in this list, the former St Kilda player has only played one game this season due to some injury trouble.
Will be a key threat when he’s fully fit.
SURFERS PARADISE
Cam Ellis-Yolmen
The former Brisbane Lion was one of the biggest off-season signings in the competition and has so far lived up to the hype.
His elite level experience and football ability has been immense with his impact felt both on and off the field.
Charlie Martin
The teenage ruck/key forward has shown plenty of promise and has brought plenty of energy to the squad.
Darcy Russell
Russell swapped Country Victoria for the Glitter Strip and has immediately made an impact at Surfers Paradise.
The forward is a team-first player and has chipped in with five goals.
Oscar Lear-Camci
After toiling away in reserve grade for the first few games, Lear-Camci was given his first opportunity at QAFL senior level in round 5 and immediately impressed.
Liam Viney
The former Bond University gun has made the step up with the Demons in 2025 and his versatility has been crucial.
He can play multiple roles across the field and his football IQ is elite.
Viney leads by example with an impressive workrate both on offence and defence.
NOOSA
Matt Gaul
Has been a huge addition to the Tigers already this season after coming across from the EDFL.
Gaul’s relentless work and effort plays in the midfield have been a big reason for Noosa’s positive winning start to the season.
Angus Byrne
The Echuca recruit has slotted in as a centre-half forward for the Tigers where he booted home five goals against Labrador in round two.
Is getting better and better every week.
Kaine Cates
A young Hervey Bay talent that commutes to Noosa three times a week for training and then another hour or two to Brisbane or the Gold Coast for away games.
The crafty full forward kicked 33 goals in 14 games last season in the Hervey Bay senior competition and he’s carried his efforts into the QAFL with 10 goals from his five appearances.
Will McKenzie and Charlie Bowes
Both players were Noosa juniors before departing the Sunshine Coast after finishing school.
McKenzie represented Wilston Grange, winning a club best and fairest in 2020, before playing in the EDFL and Barwon FNL in recent seasons.
Bowes, a former Brisbane Lions academy talent, has returned to the club full time this season where he has been a welcomed addition.
Alik Magin
The now 34-year-old played eight games for the Gold Coast Suns in 2011 and 2012 before returning to the VFL for 2013 and 2014.
Magin last played in the Ballarat competition up until 2021, enjoying a few years off before returning to footy with the Noosa Tigers this season.
Alik is the son of Billy Magin, a Queensland Football Hall of Famer, and has quickly found his feet with the Tigers.
MORNINGSIDE
Tristan Hobley
A new recruit that landed on the Panthers doorstep, Hobley’s work and one per cent plays has been huge in the midfield so far this season.
Jude Seton
Has had two senior games under his belt this season and is tracking nicely after being a part of the premiership winning Morningside Colts team in 2024.
The 18-year-old is a good rising talent at half back.
SHERWOOD
Connor Ashcroft
With no relation to the Brisbane siblings, Ashcroft is originally from Canberra but took out the QFA Division 1 Coaches MVP last season after leading the University of Queensland to their first Division 1 finals series in over a decade and finishing second in the league Best and Fairest voting as well.
Through the opening rounds Ashcroft has shown great versatility and a knack for finding the scoresheet.
Angus Parnell
A local Sherwood junior, Parnell has returned to the club after leading the Colts goal kicking in 2023 and representing UQ in 2024.
He’s played every game so far this season, regularly finding the scoreboard as a solid performer each week.
Jarrod Cameron
The former West Coast Eagles player, and brother of Lions key forward Charlie, moved over from Western Australia in the off-season and was a welcomed addition to the Magpies.
Cameron booted five goals on debut, totalling 15 from six appearances this season.
The 25-year-old is one of the more senior players for Sherwood but has bought into the culture and leads from the front every week.
Tom Fry
Played just one game for Sherwood in 2023 before captaining the Brisbane Lions academy side and winning a QFA Division one premiership with Mayne.
He’s returned to the club this season where he has stormed into the leadership group as a 19-year-old and looks to have a lot more room to grow.
Fry picked up an injury in round one but has returned well to play the last two rounds.
MAROOCHYDORE
Jonty McIvor
The former Tasmanian and Wynyard FC star has slotted into the Roos midfield as a big-bodied threat.
Jonty and his brother Harry are both new additions to Maroochydore this season where they produced plenty of key moments on both sides of the ball.
Bailey Hahn and Hunter Moore
Both players came into the year with a handful of senior games under their belt but have continued to exceed expectations once again.
COORPAROO
Jonah Licht
A known QAFL player, Licht has represented Mt Gravatt in past seasons but the current Coorparoo captain has been a great addition to the club already.
Sam Cowley
A younger player that made the move from Tasmania this season where he’s fitted into the QAFL competition with ease.
Cowley, who missed the last two rounds due to concussion protocols, is a talented wing or halfback threat.
Kyle Dunkley
Was going to be a given once he was announced as a signing for Coorparoo heading into the season.
The former Melbourne Demons player and brother of Lions midfielder Josh, Kyle has been a class above in 2025.
Nathan Dowsett
A Melbourne based talent, Dowsett finished up his NTFL season and walked straight into the Coorparoo backline where he’s been a standout most weeks.
Has been great for the group so far lending his leadership and experience to the players around him.
WILSTON GRANGE
Darby Breeden and Hayden Hall
The Gorilla’s have had eight debutants through the opening six rounds, showcasing their position as a senior side this season.
Breeden was elevated into the senior side in round three and has held onto his spot as a versatile threat.
His negating role on key opposition players has been crucial for the Gorillas while Hall has slotted in on the wing.
Hall’s surprisingly quick adaptation and his growth in skills during his limited playing time is a great sign of things to come.
Nelson Lane
A new recruit from the Northern Football Netball League (Diamond Valley), Lane’s class, consistency and leadership on the field has been huge.
His calmness on the ball is great to watch.
Tyler Belloni
Has been thrown into the Gorilla’s midfield, covering a variety of roles depending on the match-up or game tactics.
The former South Croydon standout is having a solid impact on the competition so far this season.
LABRADOR
Oscar Mayne
The 17-year-old made his senior debut this season and has maturity beyond his years.
Mayne has already shown his impressive ball skills and elite vision to read the ball and play well across the halfback flank.
Will Manshanden
Manshanden had an injury-riddled start to the year but has shown why he was one of the most exciting signings for the Tigers this year in recent games.
The tenacious small forward has a brilliant goal sense and immediately impressed with a goal in his debut for the club against Surfers Paradise in round 4.
Zak Marshall
The young utility player has an impressive engine and can run all day.
He consistently attacks the ball and wins contested possessions across the field.
Lachlan Kendall
The strong midfielder has provided much-needed experience to the young group and leads by example in and around the contest.
James Egan
A stylish halfback flanker who provides a strong drive from the defensive 50.
His enthusiasm is felt throughout the team and his impressive ball skills have made him a standout for the Tigers this season.
Kuot Thok
Thok joined the club from Aspley and his efforts in the ruck have impressed Labrador coach Chris Rourke.
BROADBEACH
Aidan Hare
The former WAFL and VFL gun has made his mark as a hard in-and-under on-baller.
Matt Harvey
Harvey is a high-quality on-baller who has silky smooth skills.
Along with his elite ball work, he brings a tough edge around the contest and consistently battles hard for the football.
Adrian Speedy
Speedy’s dynamic left foot off halfback has been crucial to setting up several attacks for the Cats.
His run and carry with the ball provides plenty of excitement as well when he has the space to do so.
MT GRAVATT
Jake and Cody Harrison
Both players returned to the club this season after more recently playing for Redland Victoria Point in 2024.
Have both shown their class against solid opposition.
Brady Rowles
Is growing in confidence each week for the Vultures, playing some good footy despite some tough results so far this season.
Originally published as QAFL best recruits and debutantes of the 2025 season
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