Browny to lead again
If it ain’t broke (and it certainly isn’t), why fix it? Caleb Brown has been announced as skipper for the Mayne Tigers for a fifth consecutive year. When you look back at Brown’s record of the past few years, it’s a no brainer really. He has captained back-to-back flags, won the QFA North B&F last year, was named best on ground in the grand final, and finished runner up in the clubs best and fairest count. You can’t say he doesn’t lead by example.
Lions lock down leaders
Moreton Bay has announced their QWAFA coaching structure for 2016, and the leading man is no stranger to the scene. Peter Smith, the current Chairperson of the Moreton Bay Football Club, has stepped up to the plate as senior coach of the QWAFA team, as the Lions hope to go one better than their runner up finish in 2015. Along for the ride this year is Ron Keating, the senior assistant coach. Both will be straight into it, with the AFL Queensland Flash Football Tournament next Saturday at Bond University.
Cool heads
The biggest area of concern Palm Beach had to address over summer was the age of their list. They had a lot of good young kids, but just lacked a few senior heads around the traps that could sum up a situation and take control. That’s why the signings of Kristen Higgs (ex PBC) Jarryd Douglas (Frankston) John Croad & Daniel Grant (Sorrento) and Nathan Robertson (Ulverstone) are so important to their premiership aspirations. The Lions suffered from a few lapses in games last year, I think that’s just been eradicated.
Umpiring’s leading lady
The AFL Queensland Umpire Coaching Course was held on Saturday at Yeronga, and there was a special guest in the house. Queensland’s own Chelsea Roffey, the first ever female AFL umpire to officiate in a Grand Final, gave an insight into her journey into the AFL, and the pathway she has created for many other female goal umpires to possibly follow.
Special visitor to Cape York House
When it comes to special guests, they don’t come any bigger than the Australian Prime Minister. While in the top end, Malcolm Turnbull visited AFL Cape York House on Sunday, to experience first hand what the House provides for the local community. Don’t take it from me how impressed he was, hear it for yourself HERE
Magpies’ nest getting full
Another week, another big Western Magpies signing; this time from Warrnambool. Gareth Crawford – a 32-year-old onballer – will don the black and white in 2016 after moving up from country Victoria for work. Crawford, from the Merrivale Footy Club in the Warrnambool and District League, was an interleague representative in 2015, so will arrive at the nest in good touch.
“Little genius”
Clubs can tend to downplay how well their recruits are traveling this time of year to ease the pressure on them, but one kid who is making waves down south is Queensland’s own Corey Wagner. After impressing in the clubs intra-club match last week, teammate Mason Wood had this to say, “he’s a little genius, Corey. He’ll be very handy this year whether he’s in the ones or the twos. A superstar in the making.” While Senior Coach Brad Scott heaped praise on the youngster in this video http://www.nmfc.com.au/video/2016-02-08/on-the-rise-corey-wagner . Onya Wags!
Picture: North Melbourne Football Club
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
