Coaches nominate: QAFL and QAFLW’s craftiest forwards

Some possess zip and flair, while others know how to make the most of their size. Discover who the coaches have highlighted as the craftiest forwards from every QAFL and QAFLW club.

The craftiest forwards of the QAFL and QAFLW. Pictures: Highflyer Images and Brooke Sleep Media.

Senior coaches from across the QAFL and QAFLW have had their say on a range of topics for this season’s coaches nominate.

Each round we will reveal who has stood out from each club, diving into unique topics such as best-one-on-one player, most underrated, silkiest ball-user and more.

This week we uncover the players who the craftiest forwards of the QAFL and QAFLW are.

See what the coaches are saying.

All coach responses were recorded prior to round five.

QAFL

Broadbeach, Danny Nolan: “Cody Harrington and Tom Reeves are small pressure forwards who don’t miss too often.”

Broadbeach Cats QAFL player Cody Harrington. Picture: Clyde Scorgie/Brooke Sleep Media.

Labrador, Clint Watts: “Justin Krok played Coates League last year for Sandringham (in Victoria), he’s a very crafty forward, hybrid, very skilful, nice and tough, and can kick a goal. He’s a really good human and made a good impression on the group. Will Derrington is Southport VFL listed, he’s very crafty and incredibly mature for his age, he’s a very good leader, quick and agile. He also reads the game well, and knows where the goals are. He moved down from Cairns. Alex Fyfe is also really smart around the goals and an incredible reader of the play.”

Maroochydore, Steve Wildschut: “That would have to be Mitch Scholard. He’s always a key for us in attack and one I imagine is circled for opposition teams.”

Maroochydore Roos forward Mitch Scholard in action. Picture: Highflyer Images.

Aspley, Adrian Pilgrim: “That would be Nick Dodge. In his first nine games he kicked 24 goals and was always creating something out of nothing so is very elusive and can do things not many players can.”

Redland Victoria Point, Phil Carse: “Dylan Smith is two metres tall and really good in air, or at ground level. He has good speed and good agility. Josh Brown is a small forward with a big bag of tricks, he has a banana kick or snap or dribble and kicks them from all angles.”

Noosa, Matthew Leuenberger: “Craftiest for us would be Mav Pettigrove. He’s got great footwork and is clean below his knees.”

Morningside, Paul Egan: “Kelly Castle is our craftiest. He bobs up and snags goals most weeks due to his on and off the ball effort.”

Noosa Tigers player Maverick Pettigrove in action. Picture: Highflyer Images.

Morningside QAFL player Kelly Castle. Picture: Highflyer Images

Palm Beach Currumbin, David Armitage: “Liam O’Brien is quite versatile and a solid player. He’s really tough, pinch hits in the middle, has amazing awareness, breaks a lot of tackles, and can distribute to outside players. He creates a lot of goals.”

Wilston Grange, Brent Moloney: “He’s played a handful of games for the Brisbane Lions Academy side this season and that’s Jake Fazldeen. He kicked five goals in the final last year and is just very dangerous around the goal.”

Surfers Paradise, Matt Lappin: “Mitch Patten is crafty, and Jayme Rekers had a good start to the year, he’s a good finisher and strong in the air.”

Sherwood, Brett McEvoy: “Stanley Waistcoat is an Indigenous lad who played at Southern Districts in the NTFL. He came down and the things he can do at training he’s run through a contest and picked the ball up between his legs like a basketballer, he’s not the greatest set shot but when he’s in front of goal he doesn’t miss. He uses his body well under ball and has a big drive to make afl, he’s only 19 and was in the Allies squad last year.”

Surfers Paradise forward Mitch Patten. Picture: Highflyer Images

Sherwood QAFL player Stanley Waistcoat. Picture: Highflyer Images.

QAFLW

Aspley Hornets, Luke Glacken: “Kitara Whap-Farrar. She’s another player for us this season that has taken the step up from division one and she has a great turn of pace and is very silky smooth with her skills.”

Aspley Hornets QAFLW star Kitara Whap-Farrar in action. Picture: Clyde Scorgie/Brooke Sleep Media

Bond University, Andy Lovell: “Bella Iverach, she’s our craftiest and can create a goal out of nothing.”

Coorparoo Kings, Rory Lake: “Chelsea Chesterfield is a small forward, who’s very dangerous overhead or front and centre. Grace Perry is really good at her craft and is the best contested mark, she plays centre half forward.

Coorparoo Kings QAFLW player Chelsea Chesterfield. Picture: Clyde Scorgie/Brooke Sleep Media.

Maroochydore, Paul Magher: “Jess Mcmillian, she just pops up everywhere, wants to kick goals and finishes her chances well.”

Southport Sharks, Peter Doherty: “Maddy Baldwin’s been in good form, Megan Hunt runs through there, Maighan Fogas has been through there, it’s a number of players that share the load.”

UQ, Ross Clayfield: “Lauren Middleton has been at the club for a long-time and often plays midfield but has been playing a bit more forward. She’s a really accurate set shot, hits targets, and is probably one of our best ball users. She’s clean and comfortable snapping across body.”

Wilston Grange rising star Summer Hamilton in action. Picture: Clyde Scorgie/Brooke Sleep Media.

Wilston Grange, Phil Tonkin: “It would be Summer Hamilton. She’s only young but can play deep as a small or play half forward as well depending on the day. That in itself takes a smart person so she’s definitely the most crafty.”

Yeronga, Stuart MacKay: “That would be Courtney McDonnell who started the season really well.”

Originally published as Coaches nominate: QAFL and QAFLW’s craftiest forwards