QAFL colts Players of the Month
The QAFL Colts season is underway with a number of players leading the charge for their respective clubs. See the full list of standout players from the opening five rounds. Story here.
Gympie
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gympie. Followed categories will be added to My News.
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 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.
NOOSA
Archie Shannon
Has been playing in and around the midfield and as a forward this season as a key points scoring threat for his side.
His energy on the ball has been huge for his teammates.
Darcy Dinnage
Is playing as a tall key forward this season but has also shown he can bring the ball to ground well.
Some of his efforts can also go unnoticed but Dinnage’s one percent plays have been huge to start the season.
Farran Cooke
A key small forward that kicked 11 goals through the opening four rounds and just continues to grow in confidence.
Cooke is only 16-years-old but is developing really well for the Tigers.
Riley Mackay
Has been huge for the Tigers from centre half back so far this season.
A hard runner, his efforts at shifting the ball and creating space for his teammates has been really positive and impactful.
Foxx LaMonica
Another on baller for the Tigers, LaMonica has shown his great in and under attributes early in the season.
He’s been a key cog in the Tigers go-forward, winning plenty of ball before getting it out wide.
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.
MAROOCHYDORE
Jake Neill
Has been one of Maroochydore’s standouts in the midfield with consistent solid performances through the opening rounds.
Has shown plenty of growth as a leader and will only continue to flourish as the season progresses.
Noah Jeffrey
A bottom age talent that has already stamped his feet on the Colts competition as a serious threat for opposition teams.
After starting up forward he’s since moved into the midfield and has been among the Roos best every match so far.
Harlem Gambell
The Roos co-captain started the season in the midfield but has slotted in down back which has taken his game to another level.
Has rarely been beaten and provides a stable, safe matchup for his teammates.
Noah Rodoreda
Another that’s stood tall in the Maroochydore midfield each week, the co-captain has continued to rise through the grades with plenty of praise.
Will look to continue his good form throughout the season.
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.
LABRADOR
Isaac Mayne
The Gold Coast Suns Academy product has excelled for Labrador through the midfield and across halfback.
His composure with the ball is a class above and he often seems to have all the time in the world when in possession.
Mayne’s efforts were rewarded when he was called up to make his QAFL senior debut for Labrador in their round 5 clash with Wilston Grange Gorillas.
Riley Stevens
Stevens has been a pivotal member of the Labrador midfield throughout the opening month of the competition.
He is the Tigers’ hardest attacker at the ball and is fearless inside the contest.
Cooper Johnson and Cooper Glass
The dynamic duo have dominated either wing of Cooke-Murphy Oval and have played their roles to perfection.
Johnson and Glass have provided the team with plenty of drive and their ball use has been at an elite level.
Kayden Newton
As his confidence has risen, so too has the performances of the Labrador forward.
Newton had a quiet start to the QAFL Colts season as he failed to register a goal in his first two games.
However, he has quickly made up for lost time and is in fine form.
Newton has been a force to be reckoned with in the marking contest and has kicked five goals in his last two games.
In even more promising signs for the Tigers, he also kicked seven goals for Helensvale State High School in his most recent AFLQ Schools of Excellence clash.
Sam Murray
The key forward is near unstoppable in the air and has spearheaded the Labrador attack.
He provides a strong leading target for his midfielders and has kicked at least two goals in every game so far this season.
SURFERS PARADISE
Jed Sessarago
A strong aerial presence across the ground who can take a mark almost anywhere on the field.
He is tough as nails in the contest and his elite actions have helped bring his teammates into the game.
Noah Young
Young has proven himself as a player who his teammates can turn to as he leads by example and is as reliable as they come.
His ball skills are elite and consistently makes strong contributions across the board.
Cooper Annesley
Annesley organizes the troops effectively as captain and has impressive skills as well.
He is a strong overhead defender and can also make an impact in the midfield.
BROADBEACH
Mason Young
Young has led from the front as captain throughout the opening stages of the season.
Young is a hard-working midfielder whose running game is elite and an incredibly accurate left boot which can pinpoint targets across the ground.
Douglas Cowan
A hard-working defender who is rarely beaten in one-on-one contests.
If he doesn’t win the ball, Cowan more than makes up for it with countless one-percenters and big-time plays down back to thwart opposing attacks.
Charlie Gwynne
Gwynne has been in fine form as the go-to ruck for Broadbeach this season.
He has rarely been beaten in ruck contests and consistently gives his midfielders first use of the ball.
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN
Willis Del-re
The midfielder made the step up from under-17s last year and has had a breakout start to the season at colts level.
Highlighted as an emerging midfielder whose best is still yet to come, Del-Re brings a strong work ethic and took out best on ground honours in his side’s narrow defeat to Morningside in round 5.
Ryan Davis
The Palm Beach Currumbin vice-captain made a major positional change headed into this season as he swapped halfback for the forward line.
However, the major shift has been a masterstroke as Davis has taken his game to a whole new level through the opening month.
Davis is currently equal first in the leading goalkicker race with 12 goals in four games.
His best performance came against Gold Coast rivals Labrador where he kicked four majors in their 18-point win over the Tigers.
Originally published as QAFL colts Players of the Month
New details emerge after target shooting shuts down Bruce Hwy
Police are investigating after a near-two hour shutdown of the Bruce Highway following reports of gunfire.
‘Can’t be ignored’: Push for clarity on e-scooters amid rise in crashes
Qld’s Attorney General is calling for clarity around the use of e-scooters across the state amid a rising number of crashes involving the devices, including a tragic fatality.
Beach homes will be bulldozed to make way for units
Developers have unveiled new plans to give part of Rainbow Beach a major facelift, including a new apartment complex and townhouses. SEE THE PLANS
Miracles for Mother’s Day: How twins beat the odds at 28 weeks
A Queensland mum was convinced she was losing her twin girls when she woke up bleeding heavily after a placental abruption, sparking a mercy dash to Brisbane.
O’Brien breaks silence after LNP bloodbath
A Qld MP at the heart of the LNP’s unpopular energy plan has broken his silence after his party’s historically bad performance.
Retail worker causes five-car crash at pub, flees in taxi
A Qld man whose 17-page criminal history included a shocking attack on a police officer, has returned to court after “borrowing” a stolen car from a mate and causing a wild crash at a popular Sunshine Coast pub.