We reveal the star men’s and women’s players to watch in AFLQ Darling Downs finals
With finals upon us, we reveal the men’s and women’s players to watch in the AFLQ Darling Downs finals series, See who made the list from your club here.
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Finals fever has hit the region and the AFLQ Darling Downs finals are set to kick off this weekend with some blockbuster clashes.
We have run the rule over the competition and named the players who look set to play leading roles in the race to the premiership.
See who made the list from your club here.
Coolaroo men
Jacob and Henry Sheath: The Sheath brothers roll off halfback with elite pace and ball use. They have the ability to find targets anywhere on the field and can tear teams apart in an instant.
Rhett Elliott: A fullback who can always be counted upon to do his role. He regularly locks down opposing key forwards.
Harry Claydon: The captain is a bull in the midfield and is a weapon going forward as he regularly hits the scoreboard.
Jayden Smith: A two-time Holman Medallist, Smith racks up possessions for fun and is hitting his straps at the right time of season.
Brodie Ernst: A lively small forward who knows how to find teammates and can palm off opposing defenders with ease.
Toowoomba Tigers men
Rohan Drummond: One of the best players in the region, the Tigers key forward was the league’ leading goalkicker with 34 goals from just 10 games.
Bailey Glasscock: A versatile player who primarily plays on the wing but can roll through the midfield or the ruck.
Josh Challis: One of the rising stars of Aussie rules in the Darling Downs, Challis is an electric talent with incredible pace and is always in and around the contest.
Lucas Vanderzalm: A versatile halfback who can roll through the midfield.
Lawson Herbert: A reliable halfback who is a hard defender and matches up with the best forwards in the competition.
Goondiwindi Hawks men
Sebastian Alvarez de Toledo: A young, tough utility who is a hard ball getter and one of the most consistent performers in the competition.
Charlie Farrer: One of the elite forwards in the competition, Farrer has an incredible knack for kicking goals. He brings great creativity with the ball and ended the campaign with 30 goals from 11 games.
Nick Schmidhauser: Labelled as one of the most underrated players in the competition, Schmidhauser steers the Hawks from the backline.
Michel Pratt: Despite being one of the older statesmen in the competition, Pratt brings the energy of a 19-year-old on the wing and has incredible football IQ.
South Toowoomba Bombers men
Ryan Hodgson: A Queensland South representative, the South Toowoomba captain is a natural leader in the backline and has been in fantastic form in recent weeks.
Lachlan Tory: Has held down the fort at fullback and matches up against the competition’s best forwards.
Timothy Noll: Noll moved into the ruck mid-season and has taken his game to another level. He has a big engine and makes his presence felt in the contest all game.
Justin Baker: A midfielder who has been in impressive form since returning from injury and is a key player in the contest.
Toowoomba Tigers women
Tiarna Jericho: A dominant player who controls the game in the ruck.
Lara Paget: Far and away the most dominant goalkicker on the Downs in recent years, she reads the ball in the air superbly and has booted 44 majors in just 13 games.
Courtney Browne: An elite athlete who always makes the right disposal.
Penny Dukes: An experienced campaigner who knows what it takes to win in finals and always does her job perfectly in defence.
Madeleine Moon: A new player to the Tigers this season but she has hit the ground running. She is strong on the run and is a quick and agile half forward.
Zali Rogers: While she may be an Aussie rules rookie, her game awareness is phenomenal and she is a stellar athlete.
Nelly Bruce: One of the most exciting young talents rising through the competition, Bruce led Downlands to the under-17 premiership earlier in the year and has been a star for the Tigers in her first season of senior football. She has a booming kick and a strong mark.
University Cougars women
Adut Geu: Geu is electric in the midfield and can run for hours without raising a sweat. She is lightening fast and has some great balls skills to go with it.
Charlee Lamb: Lamb is a star on the wing and has exceptional pinpoint accuracy off her left boot. She thrives under pressure and has a strong game IQ.
Charli Martain: A full forward whose right-foot snap is always one to watch. Her hunger for the football is incredible and she always makes her presence felt.
Phoebe Baird: A game-changing rover who is strong and not afraid of any opponents who come her way. She matches her toughness with exceptional ball skills.
Nyengela Mwajuma: One of the all-time University greats, Mwajuma reads the ball incredibly well and has immaculate ball skills.
Goondiwindi Hawks women
Shaye Easton: An experienced midfielder who is a ball magnet. Easton has won league medals and is one of the best players on the field when she is locked in.
Amy Ward and Bridie Spottiswood: Spottiswood and Ward have formed an elite combination in the backline, thwarting any attacks which come their way.
Maya Coote: An exciting utility who excels anywhere on the field but is a class above in the midfield.
South Burnett Saints women
Nicole Gunston: Has had one of the all-time great rookie seasons, Gunston operates off the halfback line but can make her impact felt through the midfield as well. She has been one of the Saints’ most consistent performers, earning 12 best player mentions in 14 games.
Teresa Foster: A tough in and under midfielder who is as reliable as they come.
Kayley Collins: A rapid player with a great eye for goal and has a knack for finding herself in the right position at the right time.
Kiara Wright: A silky smooth player who makes good decisions every time she’s on the ball and provides a strong run through the middle.
Hayley Ellison: A general down back who directs the traffic and provides a strong run off halfback.
Alex Alifrangis: Alifrangis is a running machine who covers the whole ground. She has elite ball skills and has only recently returned from injury but is playing as through she never left.
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