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Qld’s junior Aussie rules top 50 teen footy players

Here are Queensland’s 50 best teenage male and female Aussie rules footy players sure to excite fans of the Lions and Suns.

Players pick the grand final winner

Australian football isn’t just on the crest of a wave - it is atop a sporting tidal surge engulfing Queensland.

And, leading the next charge are these next generation teenage young guns featured below from the women’s and men’s programs, some of which were being seen this week at the inaugural Queensland AFL Club Academies Development Carnival.

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QAFL’S COLTS, SENIORS X-FACTOR PLAYERS OF 2022

QAFL’S MOST UNDERRATED PLAYERS REVEALED HERE

Here’s 50 teenage top gun teen players, along with the names of another 20 or so on our wildcard watch list.

Bulldogs' Harry Cook and Cutters' Jake Johansen during a local Cairns game held at Fretwell Park. Picture: Brendan Radke
Bulldogs' Harry Cook and Cutters' Jake Johansen during a local Cairns game held at Fretwell Park. Picture: Brendan Radke

Harry Cook

Age: 16

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Centrals Trinity Beach Bulldogs

Representative teams: Peninsula, QLD State School U15’s, U16’s SUNS Nationals

School: St. Augustus Summary:

Cook has really strong hands and has a willingness to hunt and win the footy. He is super competitive and powerful with an ability to play as an inside mid and small forward. Cook also has good goal sense.

Maroochydore is a great breeding ground for young talent. Picture, John Gass
Maroochydore is a great breeding ground for young talent. Picture, John Gass

Brad McDonald

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 17

Junior Club: Maroochydore JAFC, Maroochydore AFC

Representative teams: u17 Queensland, u18 Brisbane Lions Academy

Other sports:

School: Sunshine Coast Grammar School

The Roos’ junior is an athletic, tall defender who can also play forward and or as a ruckman. He can really take a nice contested mark and covers the ground well for his size.

Ethan Read, right, playing for the Allies this season. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Ethan Read, right, playing for the Allies this season. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Ethan Read

Age: 17

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Palm Beach Currumbin

Representative teams: Allies, QLD U17’s, SUNS U18, School: St. Andrews

A ruckman, Read is skillful and good at ground level for his size.He competes and tackles and has added overhead marking to his bag of tricks this year.

Ameilia Leigh of the Lions celebrates with team mates after kicking a goal during the AFL U16 Girls match between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Ameilia Leigh of the Lions celebrates with team mates after kicking a goal during the AFL U16 Girls match between the Brisbane Lions and the Gold Coast Suns. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Zeke Uwland

Age: 15

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Burleigh Bombers

Representative teams: U16 SUNS Nationals School:

Uwland is tough as nails who played very well as a bottom age player in the under 16’s nationals. Uwland uses the ball well on both sides of his body. Strong overhead for his size and wins a lot of his own footy.

Redland-Victoria Point has unearthed some great talent Saturday July 9, 2022. Picture, John Gass
Redland-Victoria Point has unearthed some great talent Saturday July 9, 2022. Picture, John Gass

Daniel Annable

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 15

Junior Club: Victoria Point Sharks

Representative teams: u15 Queensland Schoolboys, u15 All-Australian Schoolboys, u16 Brisbane Lions Academy

Other sports: Cricket and Basketball

School: Cleveland SHS

Annable is a classy midfielder from Victoria Pt football club. He represented the Lions in the recent National under 16 carnival showing his class as an underage player. He has a high football IQ and an exceptional work ethic. The Redland-Victoria Point rookie started the season in under 16s but progressed to Colts where he displayed an ability to win the football one-on-one while displaying closing speed in defence.

Havana Harris. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Havana Harris. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Raphael Geesu

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 15

Junior Club: Victoria Point Sharks

Representative teams: u16 Brisbane Lions Academy

Other sports: Basketball

School: Cleveland SHS

Geesu is a young Indigenous boy who oozes class. He has elite kicking skills and blinding speed. He is a super talented small forward with great goal sense. His form in the recent National Under 16 Development Championships showed he has a great future in the game.

Leo Lombard

Age: 16

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Burleigh Bombers

Representative teams: U16 SUNS Nationals – All Australian

School: Varsity College

Lombard has an extremely high work rate. He is a tough inside mid that runs all day and gets involved at every opportunity he can. Lombard wins a lot of footy and has good foot skills.

Jai Murray in action for south coast as a junior.
Jai Murray in action for south coast as a junior.

Jai Murray

Age: 15

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Burleigh Bombers

Representative teams: U16 SUNS Nationals

School: PBC

Another Bombers talent, Murray has a high work rate as an inside mid. He is good by hand and by foot and his work rate defensively is outstanding. Indeed his willingness to tackle is second to none.

PBC SHS’s Jed Walter of the Allies jumps for the ball during. (Photo by Kelly Barnes/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
PBC SHS’s Jed Walter of the Allies jumps for the ball during. (Photo by Kelly Barnes/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Jed Walter

Age: 17

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Palm Beach Currumbin

Representative teams: QLD U17’s, AFL Academy, Allies, QLD U15

School: PBC

A dominant, 196cm tall forward with strong hands and loads of power, Walter was a star in the Allies under 18 series as a bottom ager. The PBC SHS student is super quick and works really hard at ground level.

Jake Rogers

Age: 17

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Broadbeach

Representative teams: Allies

School: Varsity College

Rogers as clean as they come. He has an elite handball craft and a high footy IQ who is super quick and who is suited as a mid or a forward.

Palm Beach Currumbin's Jed Walter. Pic Peter Wallis
Palm Beach Currumbin's Jed Walter. Pic Peter Wallis

Will Graham

Age: 17

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Palm Beach Currumbin

Representative teams: QLD U17

School: PBC SHS

Athletic with really good speed and power, Graham is strong overhead and tackles hard. Graham also runs exceptionally hard both ways.

Palm Beach Lions AFC has plenty to celebrate - the rise of elite players like Jed Walter - and now have a colts QAFL premiership.. Picture, John Gass
Palm Beach Lions AFC has plenty to celebrate - the rise of elite players like Jed Walter - and now have a colts QAFL premiership.. Picture, John Gass

Nathan Jensen

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 17

Junior Club: Caloundra JAFC, Maroochydore AFC

Representative teams: u17 Queensland, u18 Brisbane Lions Academy

Other sports:

School: Unity College

A ruck man who is developing a nice set of skills, he is aggressive and strong while also having a nice leap.

Finlay Gray

Age: 16

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Broadbeach Cats

Representative teams: U16 SUNS Nationals

School: Miami State High

Gray has an ability to play at both ends of the ground. He has a high footy IQ and great vision. Gray also moves well with good foot skills, and is a good decision maker.

Nyalli Milne, Havana Harris and Annabel Foat of the Varsity senior female semi-final side. All are state reps, with Foat and Harris All Australian selections.
Nyalli Milne, Havana Harris and Annabel Foat of the Varsity senior female semi-final side. All are state reps, with Foat and Harris All Australian selections.

Havana Harris

Age: 16

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Burleigh Bombers

Representative teams: QLD 15’s, SUNS 16’s, SUNS U18’s, QLD 18’s, All Australian U18

School: Varsity College

Harris is athletic, a tall girl who can play ruck or forward. She is powerful, skillful, and clean with strong hands overhead. Harris can also kick goals.

Evy Reeves, Havana Harris and Nyalli Milne of the Suns walk off the field after their victory during the AFL U16 Girls match (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Evy Reeves, Havana Harris and Nyalli Milne of the Suns walk off the field after their victory during the AFL U16 Girls match (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Nyalli Milne

Age: 16

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Burleigh Bombers

Representative teams: SUNS 16’s, SUNS 18’s, QLD 18’s

School: Varsity College

Another Varsity College and Bombers product, Milne is quick and agile around wing and up forward. She has elite foot skills and just loves kicking a goal.

Burleigh Bombers product Josie McCabe as a 15-year-old. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT
Burleigh Bombers product Josie McCabe as a 15-year-old. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Josie McCabe

Age: 17

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Burleigh Bombers/ Bond Uni

Representative teams: SUNS U17’s, SUNS U18’s, QLD U18’s

School: Marymount

A strong bodied midfield player that can go forward, McCabe is super competitive. She has strong hands and puts her head over the footy.

Alana Gee of Queensland handballs during the Under 18 Girls Championship match between Queensland and Vic Metro at Metricon Stadium. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos)
Alana Gee of Queensland handballs during the Under 18 Girls Championship match between Queensland and Vic Metro at Metricon Stadium. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos)

Caleb Nancarrow

Age: 16

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Cairns City Lions

Representative teams: SUNS U16 Nationals – All Australian, Peninsula School U12’s and U15’s

School: Scotch College - Melbourne

Nancarrow is a super impressive vertical jump athlete who has elite movement and who possesses strong hands. He can kick goals and clean up at ground level. He is also a second effort player who follows up his work.

Hillcrest Christian College juniors girls rep players Taya Reeves, Ava Usher and Sunny Lappin
Hillcrest Christian College juniors girls rep players Taya Reeves, Ava Usher and Sunny Lappin

Heidi Talbot

Age: 16

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: North Cairns Tigers

Representative teams: Woomeras U16’s, SUNS U16’s, QLD School U15’s

School: Trinity Bay High School

From sporting rich FNQ, Talbot is a clean handed midfielder with hard running and elite skills by hand and by foot. She is also a super quick runner.

Bond uni Player Sienna McMullenPicture Mike atterham
Bond uni Player Sienna McMullenPicture Mike atterham

Sienna McMullen

Age: 17

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Burleigh Bombers

Representative teams: SUNS U17’s, SUNS U18’s, NAB AFL Futures U17’s

School: Varsity College

The Bombers keep producing young guns and here is anther. McMullen has been playing footy since aged two and is a multi-sport athlete, hard running who is developing at a good rate. The exciting thing is her skills are improving quickly.

Alana Gee

(Southport/Gold Coast Suns Academy)

Age 18

Club: Southport

Named Queensland’s MVP at this year’s NAB AFLW Under-18 Championships after averaging 24 disposals per game, Gee was also named on the wing in the 2022 NAB AFLW Under-18 All-Australian team. This was after the 170cm wing speedster played a variety of roles at the championship, including up forward where she kicked a goal against Victoria Metro.

Darren Davies with his girls Georja, Fleur, Darcie and Giselle. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT
Darren Davies with his girls Georja, Fleur, Darcie and Giselle. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Darcie Davies

Age: 17

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Southport Sharks

Representative teams: SUNS U17’s, SUNS U18’s, QLD U18’s, NAB U17’s Futures

School: Southport State High

From a sporting family, Davies is a multi-sport athlete who is also a high achiever in netball. Her older sisters Fleur and Giselle play AFLW with the SUNS and Giants. She is making her own way in the sport as an athletic tall that can ruck and play down the spine back or forward. Davies is very good overhead and loves a goal.

Georja Davies

Sex: Female

Age: 15

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Southport Sharks

Representative teams: All Australian U15 Netball, SUNS U16, QLD U15’s

School: Southport State High

The sister of Darcie and another multi-sport athlete who is also a high level netballer. Georja is very similar to Darcie in that she is a very good runner that can play anywhere on the ground. And she loves a goal.

Tara Harrington of PBC SHS mates.
Tara Harrington of PBC SHS mates.

Tara Harrington

Sex: Female

Age: 16

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Broadbeach Cats

Representative teams: QLD U15’s, SUNS U18’s, SUNS U16’s, QLD U18’s

School: PBC SHS

A powerful midfielder with very good hands inside the contest, Harrington also has good foot skills and is a noted decision maker. She also has a great eye - which is probably why she is also an elite golfer.

Tara Harrington of the Suns in action. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Tara Harrington of the Suns in action. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Ava Usher

Sex: Female

Age: 15

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Burleigh Bombers

Representative teams: SUNS U16, QLD U15’s, All Australian U15’s

School: Hillcrest

Usher plays as a mid-forward and is powerful and competitive with super clean hands at ground level. Also Joining Usher and co representing Queensland at the nationals earlier in the year were Alanna Welsh (Palm Beach Currumbin State High School), Sunny Lappin (Hillcrest Christian College), AnnabelleFoat (Varsity College) and Siena Burham (Canterbury College), all of whom were highly thought of.

Tristen Meekin trains with teBrisbane Lions Academy.
Tristen Meekin trains with teBrisbane Lions Academy.

Tristen Meekin

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 17

Junior Club: Jindalee JAFC, Ambrose Treacy JAFC, Wests Juniors JAFC, Sherwood AFC

Representative teams: u18 Brisbane Lions Academy

Other sports: Taekwondo

School: Ambrose Treacy College

The son of a Queensland track and field sprint star (mum Lachelle), Meekin is a dynamic left

footer who is comfortable winning his own ball on the inside while showing great skill and poise in space. His ball use by hand or foot is exceptional making him a weapon in any team. Unfortunately, he sustained a serious knee injury leading into club finals this year but with time to recover the Lions expect big things from him in the latter half of 2023.

Tristen Meekin as a JAGS junior 12 years ago
Tristen Meekin as a JAGS junior 12 years ago

Harrison Ronchi

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 16

Junior Club: Caloundra JAFC

Representative teams: u16 Brisbane Lions Academy

Other sports:

School: Meridan State College

Another Sunshine Coast kid, he is a half back/midfielder with speed to burn. Ronchi also has a nice, neat left foot kick and is a good decision maker.

Billy Richardson has been a part of the Nudgee Australian football program.
Billy Richardson has been a part of the Nudgee Australian football program.

Billy Richardson

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 17

Junior Club: Kedron JAFC, Wilston Grange AFC

Representative teams: u17 Queensland, u16 Brisbane Lions Academy, u16 All-Australian

School: Nudgee College

A Red Legs junior, Richardson is a 194cm tall, athletic forward who can pinch hit in the ruck or play as a defender. He is a beautifully balanced kick and can take a strong contested mark.

Tom Fry

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 16

Junior Club: Sandgate JAFC, Mayne AFC

Representative teams: u16 Brisbane Lions Academy, u15 Met North Schoolboys

Other sports:

School: Craigslea SHS

With a junior background from both the Mayne Tigers and the Sandgate Hawks, how could Fry go wrong. Both famous QAFL clubs had a hand in his formative years, helping turn him into a tough, strong inside midfielder. Fry has great courage and displays some good leadership qualities. Fry’s stoppage craft is also a highlight.

QAFL Colts game between Wilston Grange and Redland-Victoria Point at Hickey Park. Saturday June 11, 2022. Picture, John Gass
QAFL Colts game between Wilston Grange and Redland-Victoria Point at Hickey Park. Saturday June 11, 2022. Picture, John Gass

Alex Pope

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 16

Junior Club: Victoria Point JAFC

Representative teams: u17 Queensland, u16 Brisbane Lions Academy, u15 Queensland Schoolboys

School: Cleveland SHS

Another bayside product, Redland-Victoria Point junior, Pope is a wingman that possesses great speed and dynamite kicking skills on both sides of the body. He has a tremendous work rate enabling him to amass high possession rates in all games he plays. He was in exceptional form for the Lions which culminated in him being selected in the Qld under 17 team as an under aged taking on Vic Metro.

Dekota Brown with her Park Ridge SHS mates.
Dekota Brown with her Park Ridge SHS mates.

Dakota Baron

Age: 15

Academy: SUNS

Junior Club: Yeronga

Representative teams: QLD U15’s, SUNS U16’s, All Australian U15’s

School: Park Ridge SHS

From sporting rich Logan City, Baron is an athletic tall player with strong hands overhead. She can play ruck or up forward and loves a goal.

Aspley QAFLW player Rania Crozier. Photo: AFLQ.
Aspley QAFLW player Rania Crozier. Photo: AFLQ.

Rania Crozier

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 16

Junior Club: Moreton Bay JAFC, Morningside JAFC, West Juniors JAFC, Wilston Grange JAFC, Aspley AFC

Representative teams: u18 Brisbane Lions Academy, u15 Queensland Schoolgirls

Other sports:

School: All Hallows’ School

A tall, athletic defender, Crozier has come back from a torn ACL in 2021. She is very good in one-on-one aerial contests where she can either mark or spoil.

Clayfield College student Mia Geere.
Clayfield College student Mia Geere.

Sophie Peters

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 16

Junior Club: Maroochydore JAFC, Maroochydore AFC

Representative teams: Under 18 Brisbane Lions Academy, under 18 Queensland

Other sports:

School: Sienna catholic College

A running, speedy winger she has the ability to break the lines and carry the ball with bounces.

Dekota Baron of the Suns celebrates kicking a goal. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Dekota Baron of the Suns celebrates kicking a goal. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Ryan Gilder

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 16

Junior Club: Calamvale JAFC, Sherwood JAFC

Representative teams: u16 Brisbane Lions Academy

Other sports: Volleyball

School: Calamvale Community College

The son of a former Melbourne Demons listed player (Mark), Ryan Gilder is a fantastic prospect from the Sherwood football club. He is an athletic key defender who has elite speed and a vertical leap. Gilder is super competitive with an aggressive edge and was a key contributor to the Lions successful under 16 National Championship campaign. He is a defender who has a great ability to win his one-on-one contest, even when undersized.

Mia Geere, right, aged 8. Little did she know she would be in the Lions academy years later. Photo Mark Cranitch.
Mia Geere, right, aged 8. Little did she know she would be in the Lions academy years later. Photo Mark Cranitch.

Mia Geere

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Junior Club: Wilston Grange JAFC

Representative teams: u16 Brisbane Lions Academy, u15 Queensland Schoolgirls, u15 All-Australian Schoolgirls

Other sports:

A year 12 student at Clayfield College Geere is a highly talented youngster coming through the grades

Kedron SHS's Lilu Hung, in jersey, middle.
Kedron SHS's Lilu Hung, in jersey, middle.

Lilu Hung

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Junior Club: Kedron JAFC, Wilston Grange JAFC, Aspley AFC

Representative teams: u18 Brisbane Lions Academy

Other sports:

School: Kedron SHS

Hung is a strong, aggressive player with the ability to play forward and pinch hit in the midfield. She thrives on the contest.

Laura Roy

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 17

Junior Club: Waratahs (NT), Morningside JAFC

Representative teams: u18 Brisbane Lions Academy, u18 Queensland

Other sports: Netball (National u17 squad member)

School: Lourdes Hill College

Roy is balancing a promising netball career with a move to Australian rules football. She has a rare competitive edge that sees her win a huge amount of contested balls. With a little work on her kicking skills, she will no doubt be a prospective draft choice in the upcoming seasons.

Laura Roy of BrisbaneLions tackles Tamara Henry of the Western Jets during the NAB Week. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images)
Laura Roy of BrisbaneLions tackles Tamara Henry of the Western Jets during the NAB Week. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

Harlee McIlwain

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 14

Junior Club: Victoria Point JAFC

Representative teams: u15 Met East Schoolgirls, u15 Queensland Schoolgirls (shadow)

Other sports: Touch Football (Met East Schoolgirls)

School: Cleveland SHS

McIlwain, at 14, already looks to have her sights set on graduating to an AFLW career. She is a tall, athletic ruck or key position player with a great football IQ. She has an ability to leap and mark is beyond her years and is set to show her talents at the under 14 Academy games being played in Maroochydore this week. Her attitude to improve makes her one of the best prospects across all ages in the Brisbane Lions Academy. She also has a sporting bloodline - McIlwain’s dad Dallas played NRL for the Canterbury Bulldogs

Wilston Grange Gorillas QAFL player Jack Manly. Photo: Sharon Vella - Boundary Line Photography
Wilston Grange Gorillas QAFL player Jack Manly. Photo: Sharon Vella - Boundary Line Photography

Zoe Petrides

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 14:

Junior Club: Calamvale JAFC, Morningside JAFC

Representative teams: u14 Brisbane Lions Academy, u15 Met West Schoolgirls

Other sports: Futsol, Soccer (Met East Schoolgirls)

School: Stretton College

The youngest on our list, Petrides has shown her ability by being a key player in the clubs Division 1 Boys premiership side. With exceptional football IQ and equally impressive skills, the sky’s the limit for her. She has been training with the under 16 girls Girls Lions Academy squad, showing what high regard she is held in by the Lions. She is competing this week at the Academy under 14 games in Maroochydore.

Jed Walter of the Allies - and PBC SHS. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Jed Walter of the Allies - and PBC SHS. (Photo by Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Jada Delaney

Academy: Brisbane Lions Academy

Age 17

Junior Club: Noosa JAFC, Maroochydore JAFC

Representative teams: u16 Brisbane Lions Academy, u15 Sunshine Coast Schoolgirls, u15 Queensland Schoolgirls

School: Good Shephard Lutheran College

The daughter of VFL player Roger Delaney (Fitzroy), a six time premiership player with Port Adelaide, and 21 Test netball veteran mother Jacqui, Jada comes from great sporting stock.

She is a tall athletic type who moves around the ground with ease. A under 17 national netball squad member, Delaney is also a great mark of the footy and has a lovely kick. She is strong

in the contest and reads and understands the game very well. The teen can play in the ruck or key position at either end of the ground.

Sunshine Coast's Jada Delaney as a junior.
Sunshine Coast's Jada Delaney as a junior.

Jasmyn Smith

Age 18

Club: Bond University/Gold Coast Suns Academy

Making her AFLW debut for the Suns in round 1 of the AFLW season aged 18, the midfielder forward was coming off an elite series as Queensland’s surprise packet of the national carnival where she flourished as a leadership player.

Charlotte Mullins playing with Wilston Grange earlier in her career. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)
Charlotte Mullins playing with Wilston Grange earlier in her career. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Charlotte Mullins

Age 18

Club: (Wilston Grange/Aspley/Brisbane Lions Academy)

School: North Lakes State College

Piecing together a strong carnival across the three games, Mullins was one of Queensland’s best earlier in the year with plenty of disposals and clearances.

Kiara Hillie and Charlotte Mullins.
Kiara Hillie and Charlotte Mullins.

Kiara Hiller

Age 18

Club: Kawana/Maroochydore Roos and Lions Academy

Hillier is a tall, rebounding defender and who represented Queensland at the 2022 AFLW U18 National Championships and who, following a round 3 performance in the QAFLW, was a Rising Star nominee. Hillier played her junior football at Kawana.

Zimmie Farquharson

Age 19

From Dalby on the western Darling Downs, and with family links to PNG, Zimmie was absolutely sensational on debut for the Lions against Carlton earlier this year with possession winning deeds and several shots at goal.

Mikayla Pauga

Age 19

Club: Bond University

Originally from the Narangba region between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, the young forward with a netball background has proved a natural at Australian football.

Suns players from the AFL U16 Girls match this week on the Sunshine Coast. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Suns players from the AFL U16 Girls match this week on the Sunshine Coast. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Ava Sexton

Age 19

Club: UQ

The ball winning midfielder kicked the crucial goal that tied the scores in the QAFLW’s first ever drawn grand final, sending the game into overtime and leading to UQ’s victory. She was then added to the Lions AFLW squad.

Mia Geere of the Lions in action(Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Mia Geere of the Lions in action(Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Imogen Evans (Bond University/Gold Coast Suns Academy, Collingwood)

Age 18

Club: Bond Uni

The former Gold Coast Suns Academy skipper, now with Collingwood, is a midfielder who covers the ground with ease and who is a high-volume tackler.

Jaspa Fletcher

Age 18

Club: Sherwood

An All Australian representative following this year’s Allies’ campaign, Fletcher, 18, is the son of Adrian Fletcher, the former Lion, was also strong throughout the national championship with plenty of touches.

Former Lions player Adrian Fletcher alongside son Jaspa Fletcher, who has been training with the Lions this preseason. Picture: Zak Simmonds
Former Lions player Adrian Fletcher alongside son Jaspa Fletcher, who has been training with the Lions this preseason. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Fletcher’s Queensland teammate, Joshua Cooper, is another outstanding general defender identified by the Brisbane Lions Academy talent scouts. Both Cooper and club teammate Mitch Howsen were also super contributors to the grand final Hornets outfit that rose to the occasion during the final series, winning the QAFL grand final over the weekend.

Aspley’s Joshua Cooper marks for Allies at the U18s (Photo by Kelly Barnes/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Aspley’s Joshua Cooper marks for Allies at the U18s (Photo by Kelly Barnes/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Fellow Queensland players alongside Fletcher and Coopein the under 18s Allies squad were:

Marlin Corbett, aged 18, (Midfielder – Gold Coast Suns Academy / Surfers Paradise)

Brinn Little, aged 19 (Defender – Gold Coast Suns Academy / Palm Beach Currumbin)

Jack Manly, aged 18 (Midfielder – Brisbane Lions Academy / Wilston Grange)

Ned Stevens, 19, (Key Forward – Gold Coast Suns Academy / NT Thunder / Waratah)

Jared Eckersley, aged 18, (Midfielder – Gold Coast Suns Academy / Broadbeach)

Liam Hude, aged 17 (General Forward – Brisbane Lions Academy / Sherwood)

Oscar Barry, Harrison Bridge and Beau Addinsall

This terrific trio joined Jai Murray, Dan Annable and Jack Harrison, all mentioned earlier, in making the 15 years and under Australian football All Australian Boys Team selected from the national championships during July. Barry is from Coorparoo Secondary College, Bridge from Faith Lutheran College and Addinsall is an All Saints Anglican School student.

Jared Eckersley makes a tackle. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)
Jared Eckersley makes a tackle. (Photo by Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

In addition to the Lions and Suns boys players mentioned earlier in the story, the following boys were also outstanding prospects who were a part of the The Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast SUNS Under 16s boys teams at AFL National Development Championships.

Lions:

Frasier Lay – Morningside, Jake Fazldeen – Morningside, Maverick Garaicoa - Wilston Grange, Lachie O’Dwyer – Aspley, Tyler Whiteley – Maroochydore, Takoda Boltong – Maroochydore, Jack Prokos – Morningside, Jayden Banks – Maroochydore, Andrew Jeffrey -Sandgate, Jett Jessen – Mt Gravatt, Lachlan Fraser – Noosa, Lachlan Greenbury – Sherwood, Jaydon Macaulay – Sherwood, Fergus McFadyen – Wilston Grange, Wyatt Greenaway – Mt Gravatt, Tom Gillett – Sherwood, Blair Humphreys – Moreton Bay, Cooper Delaney – Noosa, Patrick Snell – Wilston Grange

Fergus McFadyen of Nudgee College and Wilston Grange.
Fergus McFadyen of Nudgee College and Wilston Grange.

Suns:

Mason Field – Southport Sharks, Jezz Butler – Cairns City Lions, Lucas Snowball – Surfers Paradise Demons, Nelson Beikoff Smart -Palm Beach Currumbin Lions, Ben Brown – Broadbeach Cats, Cooper Hynes – Broadbeach Cats/ Palm Beach. Joe Kennedy – Broadbeach Cats, Harlan Oliver – Palm Beach Currumbin Lions, Lachlan Gulbin – Burleigh Bombers, Charlie Heath – Palm Beach Currumbin Lions, Max Cruse – Broadbeach Cats, William Munro – Cairns Hawks, Lawson Shirley – Broadbeach Cats, Kanye Curtis – Burleigh Bombers,

Maddox Hunt – Port Douglas Crocs, Zai Millane – Burleigh Bombers, Boston Everitt- Southport Sharks, Ty Fitzgerald – BITS Saints, Maison Stass – Labrador Tigers, Heath Seadon – Mt Gravatt Vultures, Lachlan Morrisey – Southport Sharks, Max Marsh – BITS Saints, Brock Johnston-Smith – Palm Beach Currumbin Lions, Oscar Wood – Surfers Paradise Demons.

Surfers Paradise’s Marlin Corbett. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Surfers Paradise’s Marlin Corbett. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Honourable mentions from club land

Nick Williams from Surfers Paradise, 18, finished the season as a key defender in the seniors and both he and Marlin Corbett, a Suns Academy player, would be among the top few 18-year-old players in the state.

Corbett made the NAB Allies team and the boy from the Northern Rivers is a star in the making.

Williams, a Suns academy selection, was on the Demons best player list eight times this season while Ben Woodburn was another exciting 18-year-old who was a constant livewire upfront.

Jake Selvey was another boom teen Surfers’ player, a surprise packet in his first season up from under 16s.

Action from the QAFL Colts game between Mt Gravatt and Surfers Paradise in Mt Gravatt. Picture: Tertius Pickard
Action from the QAFL Colts game between Mt Gravatt and Surfers Paradise in Mt Gravatt. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Selvey played the final two games in the seniors while Demons’ youngsters Jake Seccombe, Cody Nieass, Liam Thom and Joel O’Brien caught the eye.

The performance by Mt Gravatt Vultures athletic Marcus Khoo, 19, deserves a mention after he took over ruck duties when Craig Malone was injured. He and club mate Jack Torney had big seasons for young men.

Action from the QAFL Colts game between Mt Gravatt and Surfers Paradise in Mt Gravatt. Picture: Tertius Pickard
Action from the QAFL Colts game between Mt Gravatt and Surfers Paradise in Mt Gravatt. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Surfers Paradise would have arguably two of the top five or six 18year-olds in the state in Nick Williams and Marlin Corbett.

Malachi Dumas was another Palm Beach Currumbin player, he is a small forward with elite pace and evasive skills who is very hard to match up on.

Will Bella of Palm Beach Currumbin played a strong season for his club, winning the QAFL Rising Star award, while PBC’s Luke Cahill was the competition’s leading goal kicker this season with 41.

Ava Seton of Uni. Picture Highflyer Images
Ava Seton of Uni. Picture Highflyer Images

Maroocyhdore’s Ben Thomas showed he was a skilled half forward who could impact the scoreboard. He was also tough in the contest and won his own footy. Thomas and Alex Jacobs, a tough and reliable ball winner, and Harrison Drew, a small, developing goal kicking forward, had strong seasons as rookies.

The Cats’ Jack Rogers and Jared Eckersley have been mentioned earlier, but Broadbeach also had the likes of Cody Harrington, Jonah Semmler, Brayden Taylor, Riley Winter and Jye Lockett as next general young guns for the grand finalists, the Broachbeach Cats.

Sherwood have an array of rising rookies, including Darcy Prest, Isaac Olver, Tom Gillette, Jacinta Baldwick and Annabel Peacock and the very promising Jaydon Macaulay who, at 16 years, was captain of the Brisbane Lions Level 2 Academy Program this year, as well as a member of the entire Level 3 program which is reserved for under 19s.

Patrick Snell was also outstanding for Wilston Grange, playing for Queensland’s under 16s where he was one of the best on ground in a clash against Victoria.

The Brisbane Lions Academy Girls huddle. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
The Brisbane Lions Academy Girls huddle. (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

And on McDonald’s SEQ Juniors grand final day, the likes of Ethan Myers (Aspley Hornets, under 16 Div 1), Riley Street (Redcliffe Tigers, under 16 Div 2), Marcello Giardina (Pacific Pines) and Matthew Hoy (Labrador, both under 16 Div 2), Ashwyn Smith (under 16 Div 3, Kenmore), Chase Winter (under 16 Div 3, Ormeau Bulldogs), Luke Mennis (under 16 Div 1, Aspley Hornets), Jacinta Baldwick (under 17 Div 1 Sherwood), Peyton Mackie (under 17 Div 2, Southport) were named Best and Fairest in their respective competitons.

Havana Harris of the Suns (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
Havana Harris of the Suns (Photo by Albert Perez/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

The AIC’s premier Australian rules football school, St Laurence’s College, also have several young stars to watch.

Top of the tree would be Ben Morison, 15, a Brisbane Lions Academy member who was his team’s best in the Junior Male team playing in the State Final of this years AFLQ Schools Cup.

Another player who could be seen in 2023 is forward prospect Will Munro, 17, a Suns Academy player moving to St Laurence’s for the start of next year.

Originally published as Qld’s junior Aussie rules top 50 teen footy players

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/teams/brisbane/qlds-junior-aussie-rules-top-50-teen-footy-players/news-story/06beedf430ce89bfe7595ad7f8612bac