With the AFL Queensland Under 17 Youth Girls State Championships kicking off tomorrow, we thought it’s the perfect time to go through the team lists and give a bit of background on a player from each region.
Here are just a few of the stars to keep an eye on.
Division 1
Gold Coast – Arianna Clarke
Clarke is not only one of the best youth girls in the state, but the country. The Coolangatta QWAFL premiership player loves to have a bounce and take the game on from the half back line, but can also win her own footy. Great user, brings teammates into the game, and is very creative with ball in hand. A member of the NAB AFL Academy.
Sunshine Coast – Jemma Abbott
Abbott, who was a key member of Maroochydore’s QWAFA premiership this year, is very strong above her head, has great length to her game, and is always dangerous in front of goals. Don’t be surprised if she is a regular on the score sheet throughout the four days.
Brisbane South – Gabby Collingwood
Collingwood is a Rolls-Royce. She is a medium sized midfielder, can win the ball in close, but is a great distributor from stoppages. Great decision maker, and is very tidy by foot. Should have a big state champs. A member of the NAB AFL Academy.
Darling Downs – Chloe McDonald
McDonald played at Zillmere this year. She is a small inside midfielder who wins her own footy. Not afraid to put her head over the ball, and more often than not, will come away with it.
Division 2
Brisbane North –Jacqueline Yorston
Tough inside midfielder who attacks the footy like few others at this level. If the ball in there to be won on the ground, you can bet Yorston is doing everything she can to get her hands on it. Brings the outside runners into the game.
Capricornia – Taivia Dunne
Dunne is a tall rebounding defender who has a damaging left foot. Takes a very good mark overhead, and loves to change the tempo of the game coming out of the back half.
Northern Rivers – Georgia Breward
Hailing from Grafton, Breward played for NSW/ACT in the Youth Girls Nationals. She is a hard running midfield, who can win it in close, but then can spread from the midfield and open the game up. Gains a lot of metres.
North Queensland – Kitara Farrar
Farrar comes into this state champs off the back of a ripping Kickstart National Championships a few weeks ago, where she earnt selection for the Woomeras national talent program in 2017. Look for her to explode away from stoppages and use her fantastic kicking skills to find targets up forward.
Division 3
Wide Bay – Courtney Walsh
Wide Bay aren’t the tallest team in the championships, so Walsh, at 174cm, will be a very important part of their campaign. Good skills, moves well… could be a surprise packet.
Townsville – Madison Goodwin
The daughter of former NBL Townsville Croc Andrew Goodwin, Madison is the Townsville ruck. Hard to out-body, palms it down well and runs hard to be an option around the ground.
Mackay – Lauren Bella
Ruck, aggressive, tall and athletic, Bella is a game changer. She will give the Mackay midfield silver service. She is a huge asset. A member of the NAB AFL Academy.
PNG – Ninasha Makeu
There is an X factor about Makeu. Good decision maker, finds a lot of the footy, and has good skills. One to keep an eye on for sure.
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
