Best of the best to clash in Colts finals

The best of the South East Queensland Colts will come together to vie for the ultimate prize next month.

This year’s new Colts structure has seen three conferences established, geographically-aligned north and south conferences and a competition-aligned QAFL conference, with the view of minimising travel and maximising participation.

The top four teams from each conference will combine into one cross-conference ladder to compete in the Colts final series.

Top four teams overall will have a week off, leaving eight teams to battle it out in a round of knockout finals, with 5 v 12, 6 v 11, 7 v 10 and 8 v 9.

From there, the finals will emulate the AFL system, with the top four having a double chance.

Teams will play in Sunday double headers for the first four weeks, with the grand final likely to be held on a Saturday morning, allowing spectators to see some of the best the Colts competition has to offer.

AFL Queensland CEO, Michael Conlan, said it would be exciting to see the best teams take each other on.

 “This structure allows the best of the best in the Colts competitions to play against each other and really prove themselves,” he said.

“It is a genuinely exciting prospect.”

Conlan said the competition played a crucial role in the development of community football, with the next generation of local stars.

“A lot of these players will continue their football into the senior ranks and it is a fantastic opportunity to see the next generation on show,” he said.

“A strong Colts competition is vital for the continual growth of senior football in South-East Queensland and this is a chance for these rising stars to show what they are made of.

Here is the current combined ladder, with two home and away matches to go.

>* Team percentage needs to be adjusted after the final H/A round due to 1 forfeit

.