Last time we saw them:
After winning the QWAFL premiership for three consecutive years, the Coorparoo Navy Roos had a disappointing 2016 campaign where they notched just three wins.
Losing premiership coach Damien Richards to UQ didn’t help their cause however the Navy Roos finished their year on a high with back to back wins in round 15 and 16 under Daniel Selby.
Coorparoo had just one player signed to the Brisbane Lions, Kate Deegan, who is expected to rejoin the club in mid-April.
What to expect:
This year, Coorparoo will be looking to reverse their fortunes with new coach Michael Hewitt taking over. Hewitt is a club stalwart, having played close to 200 games for Coorparoo over the last 15 years.
After coaching Colts last year with Coorparoo, Hewitt comes into the role with a fresh set of ideas and expertise to guide the Navy Roos back into the top four.
The club has seen an influx in participation throughout the preseason with close to 90 women turning out since November. This has added substantial depth to their list and should see Coorparoo become strong contenders once again this year.
On the radar:
Cleo Davis will be one Navy Roo to keep an eye on in 2017. Playing in Coorparoo’s backline, Davis has made the position her own over the past few years, with her hard work on and off the field paying off in spades. After playing in representative teams last year and with a clear pathway to the AFLW now established, expect to see Davis increase her output this season to put herself in the mix.
2016 Stats:
Ladder Position: 5th
Wins: 3
Losses: 13
From the coach:
“We don’t set any benchmarks, we just want to make sure that every week we’re trying to get better and do the right thing. We pride ourselves on our values and we would rather a bunch of girls who are ok footballers but great people, than having a bunch of outstanding footballers who are not so good people.”
- Coorparoo coach Michael Hewitt
Round 2:
Coorparoo vs. Wilston Grange
4:45pm Sat April 8
Giffin Park, Coorparoo
By Josh Cheadle
Twitter: @JoshCheadle20
