A few Roos and a dunny
Hundreds gathered at Aussie World on Australia Day for the dunny racing championships (#straya), and one team did the Queensland footy community proud. A few of the Maroochydore Roos donned their familiar green and yellow (again… #straya) and helped out the Cindy Mackenzie Breast Cancer Program team. That meant they took out the $1000 prize, which will go to providing help to those with breast cancer across the Sunshine Coast. Well done to everyone involved.
Throwback Thursday
While most of us were getting ready to fire up the BBQ and tune in to the hottest 100 and on Australia Day, Mt Gravatt were hitting the track…. and doing it in style. With their best throw back kits, they slugged it out for a few hours bright an early. Is that Warrick Capper in the front row?
Fresh faced coaches
There are a few new kids on the block in the QAFL coaching boxes this year. Of the nine senior coaches, only three of them were at the helm of their club last year. Nathan Clarke, who coached the Magpies and is now in charge of Grange last year, makes it four who were coaching in the QAFL in 2016, which leaves five new coaches in 2017. That’s five lots of fresh ideas, different game plans, and different ethos’. While all are no strangers to the coaching scene, it will sure to make for some interesting viewing in the first few rounds.
2017 QAFL Coaches
Labrador – Aaron Shattock (New in 2017)
Morningside – Steve Wildschut (New in 2017)
Wilston Grange – Nathan Clarke (Western Magpies coach in 2016)
Surfers Paradise – Brad Moore (New in 2017)
Palm Beach Currumbin – Chad Owens (Coach of PBC last two years)
Sandgate – Graham Adams (Coach of Sandgate last two years)
Broadbeach – Brett Andrews (Coach of Broadbeach last 1.5 years)
Mt Gravatt – Troy Moncur (New in 2017)
Western Magpies – Brydan Morgan (New in 2017)
He’s going to Lovett
While there is a lot of hype around the AFLW kicking off on Friday (and rightly so), QWAFL clubs are gearing up for another massive season. UQ are looking to continue their rise, signing up one of the best footy brains in the state to lead the charge. Phil Lovett has taken over as senior coach of the Red Lionesses after finishing up with he UQ QAFL team as a player. Lovett, who played NEAFL footy for both Redland and Tuggeranong (Canberra), has also dipped his toe in the coaching water with the NSW/ACT Under 15 and Under 16 representative side, the Under 18 Tuggeranong team in the past, and assisted with the UQ QAFL team for the past two seasons. In good hands!
Over and out
Today marks my final Tuesday Talking Points as I finish up with AFLQ this Friday. It’s been a hell of a ride these last two years and I’ve loved every single minute. To everyone that has contributed, read the website, or even said g’day at a ground on a weekend, I send a sincere thank you. Queensland footy is in a very good place with people like you all involved.
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
