SQUAD ANALYSIS: 2024 South Queensland men and women Aussie rules representative teams

South Queensland has called upon its region’s best Aussie rules footballers for two mouth-watering representative matches against North Queensland this weekend. See the full mens and womens squad breakdowns.

South Queensland 2024 Men's and Women's representative squads. Pictures: Contributed, Facebook.

South Queensland has gathered their best male and female Aussie rules footballers from every region as they aim to walk away with major bragging rights against their northern rivals on Saturday.

This year’s annual North Queensland vs. South Queensland Representative Clash will be held at Bond University Oval with a series of fresh faces and hardened veterans stepping up to the plate.

Ahead of the action we caught up with both South Queensland head coaches to find out how they were feeling and highlight a number of their side’s key players.

The matches will also be livestreamed on AFL Queensland’s YouTube channel with the women’s match at 4:15pm and the men’s at 6:15pm.

• SQUAD ANALYSIS: 2024 North Queensland women’s Aussie rules
  

SQ MEN’S SQUAD 2024

Action from the 2023 SQ v NQ contest. Picture: AFLQ

In recent years, North Queensland has dominated this intrastate rivalry, but South Queensland is determined to halt their northern counterparts’ winning streak.

“We work pretty hard at rewarding blokes that are playing good footy for their club and competition but also for those younger guys coming through the ranks,” head coach Andrew Cadzow said.

“The average age would be 23 or 24 but there’s also lots of 20-year-olds and a couple in their early 30s too which makes it a fair mixture.

Cadzow, a former Maroochydore Roos senior coach, said he was proud of how his group had come together and was excited to see what they could produce.

“I think we’ve got five guys that we had last year playing again and that’s with half a dozen injuries but most have gone on to play QAFL, some other interstate league and others who have just hung up the boots,” he said.

“It’s a big turnover but that’s the point of this clash for people to have an opportunity to be seen and picked up by other clubs in higher leagues.

“The buy-in from the squad has been terrific, we picked a pretty tight squad knowing that most of them are really keen and passionate about the game and now they’re ready to put on a good show.”

Discover the full breakdown of the 2024 South Queensland women’s squad below. 

Matt Lee (Brothers Bulldogs)

A strong midfielder that can also play in the forward line. Lee is a tenacious on ballplayer and works extremely hard defensively. He has also finished in the best player votes in all of his eight appearances so far this season.

Jimmy Cullum (Bay Power)

Is a very experienced player that serves as a captain and coach for his local side. Cullum, who won three straight flags with Moreton Bay between 2019 and 2021, is a strong running back that will add plenty of value to the SQ side as the team’s vice-captain.

Lochlan Baxter (Moreton Bay)

Baxter is an exciting youngster that was a staple in the 2023 SQ team. He has plenty of speed to burn and brings elite kicking skills to the fold.

Braydan Harding (Moreton Bay)

Another Moreton Bay product, Harding has a massive motor and would cover the most distance of any player every week. He’s a quality outside mid that will demand plenty of attention on game day.

Sam Holna (Coorparoo)

A true standout leader that thrives as a key back. Holna always hits the contest extremely hard and loves playing a tough, gritty style of footy.

Dylan Reid (Coorparoo)

Reid is pure quality. He’s an experienced ruckman that pops up at every contest and should get his hands on the footy first against NQ.

Jack Wratten (Coorparoo)

Another Coorparoo star, Wratten will bring plenty of speed to the SQ midfield. The talented midfielder uses the ball extremely confidently and has scattered appearances in the QAFL and NEAFL competitions.

Jack Gilhooley (Coorparoo)

A very exciting small forward that should find his feet in front of goal and seems to always hit the scoreboard. Can turn a game on its head in the matter of moments.

Shayle Korander (Coorparoo)

A strong wingman who has plenty of x-factor and flair about his game.

South Queensland player Shayle Korander in action. Picture: AFLQ.

Nic Denahy (Coolangatta)

A strong, powerful key forward that’s having his first taste of Aussie rules in the Sunshine State after relocating from Goulburn at the beginning of the season. In just 10 games, Denahy has booted 31 goals and finished in the best player votes on six occasions.

Jake Warren (Springwood)

Warren has bounced around in recent seasons but is still a standout player in QFA division one. He serves as a true in and under midfielder with quick hands and a high level of footy IQ.

Beau Harris (Mayne)

Harris is a leader of the midfield that always has his hands on the footy and when he doesn’t, he’s putting forward excellent pressure efforts to create numerous turnovers. Definitely one to watch.

Will Brohm (Mayne)

Brohm is a dependable half back that always does his job and creates great opportunities for his forward runners.

Jack Coghlan (Mayne)

Another player that spent time in the Aspley Hornets NEAFL squad, Coghlan is very quick and loves to run and carry. Keep an eye on him as he’ll look to pop up all over the field and kick crucial goals as a small forward.

Ryan Doolan (Mayne)

Is the leading goalkicker so far this season with 32 majors from just six appearances which included a bag of 10 against Moreton Bay in round six. Doolan always looks dangerous when he gets his hands on the footy and will be a key scoring point for SQ on Saturday.

Tom Wischnat (Hinterland)

Wischnat is the only player from the Sunshine Coast to be selected but the Hinterland vice-captain will bring plenty of pressure as a key forward. In 10 matches this season he’s kicked 26 goals and finished in the best player votes five times.

Lachlan Davidson (Burleigh)

Davidson, a former QAFL player with Labrador, is a powerful forward/ruckman that does plenty of damage upfront. He’ll be a crucial focus point for NQ on Saturday.

Alex McKay (Coolangatta)

McKay also spent time with Labrador’s QAFL side before representing Tea Tree Gully in the Adelaide Footy League in 2022 and 2023. Since returning to Queensland he’s played nine games for Coolangatta, kicking six goals and picking up eight best player votes.

Ned Lanyon (Coolangatta)

The 24-year-old relocated from Yarraville Seddon in Victoria in 2022 and has since been a key cog in the Coolangatta midfield. Expect Lanyon to control the speed and flow of the game well.

Nick Jackson (Redcliffe)

Jackson is a very experienced key back that always takes the best forward approach. He’s tough to beat one-on-one and create great opportunities for players around him.

James Packer (South Burnett)

Packer, a country boy, that’s super quick and consistent with the ball in his hands. Last weekend Packer earnt a call-up into Mt Gravatt QAFL reserves team for their clash against the Noosa Tigers.

Ryan Hodgson (South Toowoomba)

A powerful key tall that’s strong in the contest and remains a strong presence in front of goal. May be used down back as a versatile weapon.

Nick Francis (Bond University)

A young, exciting winger that’s new to the Bull Sharks’ this season and earnt a call-up into the Gold Coast Suns VFL squad for their pre-season clash with the Brisbane Lions earlier this year. Has shown promising signs already this season and makes great decisions with the ball in hand.

Angus O’Sughrue (Springwood)

A strong, dependable, high back flanker who always gives good run and carry.

Enovy Tungi (Redcliffe)

A nuggety small forward who has speed to burn and brings a strong defensive mindset to his side.

SQ WOMEN’S SQUAD 2024

Action from the 2023 SQ v NQ contest. Picture: AFLQ

Expect to see some exciting footy from the South Queensland women.

That is the message of head coach Ben Long.

“We’ll have a younger squad with some older heads, we’re pretty keen to try and play expansive footy and run and handball.” Long said.

“It’s rep level footy, we want to encourage the girls to showcase their skills, they’ve made it this far and they’re in the team.”

Long, who was an assistant to Jamie Stanton last year, estimates only three players remain from the 2023 team that kept North Queensland scoreless in Cairns last year.

Discover the full breakdown of the 2024 South Queensland women’s squad below. 

Emily Watson (Moreton Bay)

A small forward with electric pace and good strong hands. She’s one of the leading goal kickers in division one.

Courtney Page (Moreton Bay)

A defender with a nice long kick, she’s also good one-on-one. A good player that will take the kick-ins for South.

Bayley Woollett (Moreton Bay)

The centre half back is tall and a good interceptor of the footy. She’s strong overhead reads the play well

Tahlia Benson (Moreton Bay)

The 18-year-old has spent time with the Lions academy. She can play half forward or can push to the wing. Has good speed and skill.

Alicia Withers (Broadbeach)

The midfielder finds heaps of the footy, is fit and a strong ball winner in the middle.

Ari Reilly (Broadbeach)

Reilly has a heap of QAFLW experience under her belt with Coorparoo. She spent the previous two years a South Queensland assistant coach but having shifted to the QFA the defender’s opted to pull on the boots again.

Greta Liell-Cock (Morningside)

Can play through the middle or at half back. She’s only been playing three years and is a natural ball-winner with good speed and hands.

Jordan Ryan (Morningside)

Ryan is a tall utility that can play half back or pinch hit in ruck.

Roisin Chu (Morningside)

Chu is super quick, and skilful with a nous for finding the footy. Can play on the wing or in the middle and has plenty of upside.

Indiana Gosbell-Smith (Sandgate)

Gosbell-Smith is a full back at club level but pinch hits in ruck, however she’ll largely be a ruck for South. Gives 100 per cent effort.

McKenzie Sleep (Sandgate)

Sleep is one of the most consistent players. She’s a midfielder with incredible balance and a beautiful left foot. Skilled player.

Georgia Smith (Sandgate)

Smith is a half forward who is strong fit and athletic. She’s really quick and has a terrific knack of finding the goals.

Febulous Kanth (Sandgate)

A talent hailing from Naru, Kanth is a midfielder/forward with x-factor. She can change games and take it on. Could be the best player from Naru at present.

South Queensland player Emma MacDonald in action. Picture: AFLQ.

Emma MacDonald (Sherwood)

MacDonald is the starting ruck for South. She’s premier ruck of the division one ruck, is tall, athletic, and aggressive at the footy. Should be able to give her midfielders first use.

Abi Ashford (Sherwood)

Ashford is a natural leader with great voice and talk on the field. She’s a smart, half back that can play through the middle.

Tamsin Perry (Surfers Paradise)

Perry is fit and will just run all day. Can play on the wing or in the middle.

Tanami Hill (Surfers Paradise)

The utility largely plays at centre half forward. Has a long penetrating kick and good hands.

Jaylee Morris (Surfers Paradise)

Morris is a skilful and quick player. Will start on the wing for South and has good endurance.

Charlotte Durbridge (Burleigh)

The Division Two player impressed at South training. She’s an unknown quantity but earnt her spot.

Rachel Crack (Caloundra)

Plays in Division Two but will be the South captain once again given she’s played a heap of state league footy and is the most experienced player. Good on-field leader.

Tiana Jericho (Toowoomba Tigers)

The Darling Downs product is super athletic. Will start up forward for South but can play anywhere.

Courtney Browne (Toowoomba Tigers)

Another Darling Downs talent, the defender is also in the Lions Academy.

Scout Strong (Across the Waves)

From Wide Bay, Scout is the only player that’s played in all three South Queensland teams. She’s aggressive and tall yet mobile and can play a variety of positions.

Brittnee Hayes (Across the Waves)

Hayes will play forward for South and is a promising talent.

Originally published as SQUAD ANALYSIS: 2024 South Queensland men and women Aussie rules representative teams