Gympie Cats AFL players to watch in 2023

The Gympie Cats had a tough 2022 after their grounds went underwater three times and they struggled for players in the aftermath, but coach Matt Killian has revealed the young superstars who could make all the difference as the team prepares for its first game of the new season this weekend.

12/04/2023 - Jack Cross is returning to the Cats after a year off. Picture: Troy Jegers

Things can only get better.

That might well be the mantra for the Gympie Cats and player/coach Matt Killian as they kick off their 2023 season in QFA Division 2 North on Saturday, April 15.

The floods which ravaged Gympie in 2022 also had its effect on the Cats’ squad, with Killian struggling for players.

Subsequently, the Gympie side went through the campaign losing all 16 matches.

But with key players returning and some new recruits, Killian is predicting a mid-table finish this time round.

“We want a win, definitely,” he said.

“But I reckon we should get six or seven victories with the players we have signed up this season.

“It was hard last year with the ground going under three times, but we still managed to play all our games which was fantastic.

Photos from the Gympie Cats historic win

“It’s amazing how the ground keeps coming back and it’s in an outstanding condition considering what happened last year.

12/04/2023 - Jack Cross will be key for the Cats this season. Picture: Leeroy Todd

“The floods meant a lot of farmers who had played for us could not give up their Saturdays, so we struggled for players for both the first team and reserves.

Gympie Cats women prepare to launch their campaign for 2023

"We have got a lot of those back for this campaign, so I am confident we can do a lot better."

Killian is excited with how his senior squad is shaping up ahead of Saturday’s season opener against the Redcliffe Tigers at Ray Warren Oval.

The opening bounce for the reserves is at 12pm, with the senior side’s clash starting at 2pm.

The player/coach has picked five players who he thinks will be key to the Cats finishing higher than last year on the ladder.

Five players to watch

Jack Cross

“Jack took a gap year last season to travel with work and we missed him.

“He won our best and fairest award two seasons ago and was also runner-up for the league award in that year.

“Jack is a tough, nuggety player who gets targeted by the opposition but seems to thrive on that.

“He reads the play well and is like the Energiser bunny as he just keeps on going. It will be great to have him back.”

12/04/2023 - Jack Cross is returning to the Cats after a year off. Picture: Troy Jegers

Kade Kent

“Probably the toughest player in the competition and has had a huge preseason and he is ready to push himself a lot harder for this campaign.

“Kade is a left footer and is a great kick, so he is key for us.”

Tom Martin

“Tom broke his ankle in the second game of last season and missed the rest of the campaign.

“He is a tall, athletic player and a spiritual leader of the team who the rest of the players follow.

“He will play on the wing this year.

“Tom wasn’t around the club much last year as he hates watching. It is fantastic to have him back.”

12/04/2023 - Tom Martin is back for the Cats after missing the majority of last season with a broken ankle. Picture: Leeroy Todd

Mitch Maddock

“Mitch has dropped a lot of weight this year and looks fitter than he has ever been.

“A Victorian, he knows a lot about the game and he has a lot of footy smarts and was our captain last year.

"Another who will be key to how we perform this season."

Declan Warren

“The grandson of Ray Warren, who our ground is named after, will play for the club for the first time after spending a lot of his football career in Brisbane.

“Declan is a fantastic on-baller who can give us forward cover too.

“He is very excited to wear the colours of the team which has been associated with his family for so long.

“It’s great to have some of the old families back involved at the club.”

Originally published as Gympie Cats AFL players to watch in 2023