QAFL colts Players of the Month from Brisbane clubs
The QAFL colts Players of the Month from the Brisbane clubs can be revealed after a five week surge full of surprise. Story here.
The QAFL colts competition is up and running for another season, with Sherwood sprinting to the top of the ladder after five successive wins under new coach Damian Haber.
Last weekend the Magpies beat Redland Victoria Point 13.9.87 to 6.9.45, with Jackson Bridge a focal point with four goals.
New chums Coorparoo have opened the competition splendidly under coach Sam Wiltshire, initially winning a match against Broadbeach, 10-9-69 to 6-4-40 and pushing competition leaders Sherwood to the brink before losing 7-12 to 7-4.
Then last Saturday full forward Harvey Bannister booted eight goals in a remarkable display of full forward play as the Roos won 14.13 to 3-4 against Mt Gravatt.
Rhys Doman played wing and was great with his involvement, linking well while being fantastic in the air. Through the midfield Ash Prindable was a ball magnet with at least half a dozen score involvements.
The 2024 grand finalists, Wilston Grange and Morningside, both had wins last weekend.
Last Saturday Morningside won the match of the round against PBC, winning 12-4-76 to 11.7-73. It was a meritorious away win given Morningside lost three players late.
For the Panthers, Tyson Matthews and wing Findlay Booker, who is featured below, and ruckman Liam Catley shone against PBC.
Catley was strong in the ruck and has played well in portions across the first three games.
Wilston Grange had a fighting victory against Labrador last weekend, winning 10-9-69 to 7-3-45.
Midfield men Aidan Young and Flynn Clearly starred, while down back Oli Morgan was tremendous.
Last weekend Aspley, the front runners for much of last season, also enjoyed victory in a dangerous away match against the giant killing Noosa, with the Hornets winning 8-11 to 4-2.
It was a compelling performance given Noosa’s start to the season.
While Mt Gravatt were winless after four games, there were green shoots for the Vultures.
Last weekend midfielders Sullivan, Lee and centre half back Webster were stoic against Coorparoo, while halfback Mayne and forward Marshall also did well.
So of the Brisbane teams, who has led the way so far this season? All is revealed here.
PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
SHERWOOD
Elijah Kim
The versatile Kim has moved into a different role this year and now finds himself across the half back line.
He has adapted splendidly to his role, displaying an ability to read the play while his strong contested marking in defence makes him one of the key defenders in the league.
Harry Thomson
After a big pre-season, his upper body strength and speed around the ground has seen him move into the midfield this season.
His strength in the contest has been important in the first month, and with some dryer weather ahead expected, the club should start to see more of his elite speed around the ground.
Tarkyn Benton
Benton’s work around the stoppages has been instrumental in winning clearances.
His tackle pressure and ability to drive out of congestion and get out of the front of the stoppage with his penetrating kick forward of centre has been a mark of his game.
Charlie Slater
A rookie enjoying his first season in Colts, this U17 eligible player has taken to the big league like a duck to water.
He’s spent much of his time forward of centre and working through the middle, and his work in and under, as well as ability to release teammates into space with his elite handball skills, has been something to watch.
When Slater has ball in hand, it feels like everything is in slow motion always it seems with plenty of time to execute
Jarvis Warr
Warr has moved permanently into a defensive role this season, but still possesses a raking left foot kick that has troubled the opposition in the first few rounds.
Warr continues to mature as a footballer and is only starting to realise his ability to impact games with his speed and execution across lines
COORPAROO
Oscar Kinsella
Kinsella is the ideal man to have in the mid field during the Roos’ first season back in colts. He is a hard at the ball workhorse who can also sneak goals. Off the ball he tackles with intent and equalises every contest.
Harvey Bannister
A key forward who booted eight goals last Saturday, Bannister features a great overhead marking and can hit the goal square from a long way out. Bannister is also dynamic when the the ball hits the ground
He can also impact through the midfield with his big body.
Chris Evans
An athletic big man, the ruckman features great ball use and is relentless in his quest to deliver for his side.
Toby Hall
One of Oscar Kinsella’s partners in crime around the midfield, Hall is a smooth mover with great ball winning ability. He also possesses quick hands to get the ball out of stoppage.
ASPLEY
Zody Bradshaw
A midfield or forward ace, Bradshaw has displayed a great ability to win one on one contests.
Classy on both sides of the ball, Bradshaw has a great vertical jump and is able to impact the game both from the midfield and forward.
Importantly Bradshaw has an appetite to learn and develop.
Blake Keating
A back man with an uncanny ability to read the play, Keating has an ability to get in position and intercept marks regularly or win one on one contests.
Keating also has an ability to hit targets by foot.
Tom Levi
A noted utility player, Levi has the capacity to play many positions, but tends to shine across the mid field.
Having worked extremely hard over the pre-season on his fitness, Levi now has the capacity to play on the ball as well or sneak forward occasionally.
“Tom has great straight line speed. Once he has footy in hand he is able to use both sides of his body. Tom is another who is young but has the willingness to learn and develop,’’ said Aspley coach Brett Atkins.
Marshall Harrop
While Harrop will predominantly play back, he has the ability and understanding to roll up to the wing.
While down back Harrop has a knack of winning the one on one contest or snaring an intercept.
“Marshall’s understanding of the game plan is high which allows him to direct others on the ground which is a massive tick for a younger colt. He continues the want to learn and develop which is all I can ask,’’ said coach Brett Atkins.
Brock O’Sullivan
Another youngster that has come into the club’s colts system this year, forward O’Sullivan has obvious craft but at times seems to himself. “He has a great hit up lead but now needs to get the confidence to begin catching the ball,’’ explained Hornets coach Brett Atkins.
“Defensively he will work hard to maintain the ball in the front half for the team.’’
Importantly, O’Sullivan is a youngster who is willing to learn and develop.
Milo Presland, Pat Dalton and co.
Specifically in last weekend’s win over Noosa, Presland, Dalton, Zac Brown and Tyler Fabian all contributed to their team’s win.
Fabian is an under age rookie who plays with enormous confidence for a 16-year-old. The back was strong in one on one contests and used the ball well, while also intercepting overhead.
Brown was also back player who shone against Noosa, backing his judgement and stopping many Noosa forward thrusts. When he did win the contest he used the ball well by hand and by foot.
Presland led the midfield strongly, creating runs on the outside. His leadership and execution of the game plan lifted those around him.
From the wing, Dalton worked hard, helping in defence and then using the ball well by foot.
MT GRAVATT
Max Hoffmann
A ruckman or forward from Cairns where he won the Rising Star Award, the 190cm tall Hoffman has a great pair of hands and lovely kick on him.
When in the ruck the versatile Hoffman also has the skill and competitiveness to compete as an extra midfielder.
Lachlan Newberry
Down back defender Newberry rarely loses a one on one contest and is also a valuable intercept marker. Newberry is also starting to develop an attacking side to his game.
Luke Kirkman
A Mr Anywhere Man who can play any position on the ground, Kirkman is a utility player with an appetite for the footy.
Kirkman possesses a lovely left foot kick and loves to take the game on.
Lachlan Lovell
Another recruit from Cairns, the speedy mid field ace Lovell is starting to showcase his style of play at his new club.
The talented teenager can kick off both feet and isn’t afraid to play the running game.
MORNINGSIDE
Xavier Veivers-Brown, Tyson Matthews and Ben Morison
This terrific trio have been awesome in the midfield, working well both with and without the ball. Their contribution will surprise no one after elite contributions to the team’s 2024 premiership winning performance.
Matthews was again outstanding last weekend and has been in his team’s bunch of best players in all three games for his new club.
Zac Joyce
Another returning ace for the Panthers, Joyce has been good in the forward line and was best on against Broadbeach when he kicked four goals.
Ben Butko
A rookie of the side, Butko has started strongly after a successful school season with Iona College.
Playing down back and still an U17 eligible player, his hard work over the off season has paid off.
Findlay Booker
Strong at the weekend, Booker has done well from the wing and in the midfield. He has been among his team’s best in the opening three matches.
WILSTON GRANGE
Issac Roach
Swingman Roach has excelled at both ends of the ground, while even helping out in the ruck. The former Marist College Ashgrove sporting ace is rarely beaten one on one.
Tom Waters
Padua College product Waters has played this season as a midfield or small forward.
A mudlark, the wet conditions suited his in and under game. Waters has also been a good leader.
Austin Segon
Segon has embraced a huge role in the ruck where he has given service to the midfield at the ruck contests. Segon has an ability to cover a lot of ground and has started to snare some big grabs.
Originally published as QAFL colts Players of the Month from Brisbane clubs
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