Revealed: QAFL’s top performers for season 2022
From experienced state-league players to ex-AFL guns and a rising young star, here are the best performing athletes of the QAFL home and away season. SEE THE FULL TEAM HERE
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
From ex-AFL players to a social media sensation and a rising young star, the QAFL Team of Year was hotly contested in season 2022.
While some selections came as no surprise — such as Redland-Victoria Point’s star forward Matthew Hammelmann and AFL defender Lachlan Henderson — another forced himself into the team despite finishing last on the ladder.
To see how you ranked in season 2022, read every statistic ranked.
Here is the Gold Coast Bulletin’s QAFL Team of the Year:
Forwards
FF: Matt Hammelmann (Redland-Victoria Point) — 82.53 goals/behinds, average of 14.7 disposals, 85.3% efficiency
It comes with no surprise 2021 VFL leading goal kicker Matt Hammelmann is part of the Team of the Year. The former Brisbane Lions player has kicked 86 goals in the 2022 season so far.
FF: Mitchel Scholard (Maroochydore) — 56.27 goals/behinds, 71 marks.
The 188cm Roo has had a stellar season in the forward line, booting the second highest number of goals in the league.
FF: Sam Jasper (Broadbeach) — 47.22 goals, 81 marks,14.1 average disposals, 64.7% efficiency.
A frequent Team of the Week contender, Sam Jasper was a mainstay for Broadbeach all season. From 18 games, Jasper has kicked 47 goals this season.
HF: Lukas Kangur (Maroochydore) — 28.14 goals/behinds, 14.6 average disposals, 71.6% average disposal efficiency, 79 marks.
Kangur was sensational for Maroochydore in 2022, hitting the scoreboard, getting his hands on the ball and recording an average of three tackles per game.
HF: Connor Stackelberg (Aspley) — 71.61 goals/behinds, 14.1 average disposals, 60.9% efficiency.
Having been a regular in the season’s teams of the week, it’s no surprise Stackelberg is a Team of the Year player. Stackelberg has kicked the second highest number of goals this season at 71, behind Redland’s Hammelmann, and was named best player nine times.
HF: Cameron O’Leary (Palm Beach Currumbin) — 28.16 goals/behinds, 13.9 average disposals, 54.9 % efficiency, average of 2.5 tackles.
A medium-sized forward who has become a star at the Lions since joining the club from Barwon Heads in Victoria.
Centres
Matthew Payne (Wilston Grange) — 31.9 average disposals, 67.2% efficiency, 5.6 average clearances, 19.6 kicks, 3.2 average tackles, 12.12 goals/behinds
A stalwart of the QAFL and prior to that NEAFL, it is no surprise to see Matthew Payne in the Team of the Year. Payne is widely regarded as one of the best local footy has seen, and proved it with 31.9 disposals, 5.6 clearances and 0.7 goals.
Brock Aston (Redland-Victoria Point) — 31.4 average disposals, 68% efficiency, 18 kicks, 7.3 clearances, 5.7 tackles
Brock Aston has been massive for the Sharks all year after returning for the first time since 2017, averaging 31.4 disposals, 7.3 clearances and 5.7 tackles.
Andrew Boston (Labrador) — 28.9 disposals, 66% efficiency, 6.5 clearances, 3.7 tackles
After stepping down from the VFL, Andrew Boston has excelled in QAFL footy. Boston played three season with the Gold Coast Suns and is NEAFL premiership player that comes with great leadership.
Followers
R: Will Wolbers (Aspley) — 37 average hit-outs, 14 clearances, 75% efficiency, 4.5 clearances, 1.6 tackles
Will Wolbers is without doubt the standout ruck in the competition. Wolbers has experience in the VFL and NEAFL and smashed the competition with an average 37 hit-outs. Despite his size, he is excellent at ground level. Craig Malone from Mt Gravatt was also outstanding with 46.8 average hit-outs per game but played just seven fixtures while Wolbers featured in 18.
ROV: Ryan Banks-Smith (Aspley) — 28.9 average disposals, 77.8% efficiency, 19.4 average kicks, 9.5 handballs, 5.7 clearances, 13.10 goals/behinds
One of the competitions best young guns, 21-year-old Ryan Banks-Smith lead the league for average disposals at 39. On top of this, he managed 7 clearances a tackle and a goal per game. The young midfielder played VFL level with in 2021 and is sure to have a bright future in the competition.
RROV: Caleb Franks (Redland-Victoria Point) — 32.7 disposals, 74% efficiency, 8.5 clearances, 4.8 tackles, 17.14 total goals/behinds
Caleb Franks is strong anywhere he is put in the midfield, and was named best player in 13 of his 18 games played. Franks is a former NEAFL player for the Bombers and Brisbane Lions.
Defenders
HB: Lachie Henderson (Labrador) — 22.1 average disposals, 78.7% efficiency, 2.9 average tackles, 3.8 average intercept marks
Lachie Henderson joined the Tigers after 206 AFL games for Geelong, Carlton and Brisbane. His expansive knowledge and leadership were invaluable for the Tigers in 2022.
HB: Mitch Stallard (Redlands) — 15.2 average disposals, 84.1% efficiency, 1 tackle, 2 intercept marks
Mitch Stallard is one to be relied upon for the Sharks. The strongly built defender is highly adaptable and can be thrown forward when needed.
HB: Tom Simpson (Labrador) — 22 disposals, 68% efficiency, 1.8 clearances, 3.4 tackles, 9.11 goals/behinds, 1.4 intercept marks
Tom Simpson has taken his game to another level in 2022 with 22 disposals, 1.8 clearances and 1.4 intercept marks. The half back and midfielder was Labrador’s club’s Best and Fairest in 2021.
FB: Jackson Bury (Maroochydore) — 29.8 disposals, 77% efficiency, 2 tackles per game.
Maroochydore’s top disposal getter is also the Roos’ most efficient user of the ball. After a sizeable turnover of players following last season’s grand final loss to Broadbeach, Bury’s consistency has become even more crucial to Maroochydore in its push for a finals return in 2022.
FB: Liam Dawson (Aspley) — 15.6 average disposals, 78% efficiency, 1.2 tackles, 5 intercept marks per game
Liam Dawson was solid all year long in the backline for , averaging 1.2 tackles and 5 intercept marks. The former Brisbane Lions player is one of the most reliable in the competition.
FB: Adrian Williams (Redland-Victoria Point) — 17.3 average disposals, 78% efficiency, 4.1 intercept marks per game
One of the competition’s best key defenders, Adrian Williams is capable of winning games through the backline. He is a strong mark, averaging 4.1 intercept marks and shines in one-on-one contests.
Interchange
Will Fletcher (Sherwood) — 25.7 average disposals, 75.1% efficiency, 14 kicks, 5.7 tackles per game
While the team struggled, Will Fletcher was crucial to the Magpies.
Sam McLachlan (Maroochydore) — 27.2 average disposals, 67% efficiency, 17.5 kicks, 10 handballs.
The competition’s second best for average disposals, Sam McLachlan was hard to place as a strong utility who can play anywhere on the field. McLachlan was good from anywhere averaging 34 disposals, 6 tackles and one goal.
Connor McDonald (Noosa) — 23.2 average hitouts across 18 games, 7 clearances.
A solid back-up ruckman who showed enormous consistency over the course of the season. Other rucks boasted slightly higher average hitouts but none featured in the competition for the bulk of the season like McDonald.
Matt Eagles (Wilston Grange) — 17.4 average disposals, 63% efficiency, 2.2 average clearances, 3.3 tackles per game, 18.13 goals/behinds, 20.3 average hit-outs, 1.5 intercept marks
While he predominantly starts in the ruck, Matt Eagles had to be included in this year’s Team of the Year and is capable of playing nearly anywhere on the field. His stats prove his versatility across the field.
To see who made the QAFLW Team of the Year, head here.
Ward’s way the only way in Tav’s Lew Cooper Cup round 7
Taverners under 17 cricket’s round 7 reveal: Gold Coast Dolphins all-rounder takes seven wickets, snares a run out and scores half century in a Player of the Round performance. See who else shone from your club here.
Winner’s directory: 120 Gold Coast Hockey awardees
Big names and rising stars litter the list of over 120 athletes who finished their 2024 club hockey season with a trophy in hand. Discover every award-winner by club, plus the major awards handed out by GCHA: