Coaches and Squads Confirmed for 2024 State Game

Gold Coast SUNS AFLW Player Jamie Stanton to lead Queensland Women’s Team 

Leigh Harding reappointed Queensland Men’s Coach  

Gold Coast SUNS AFLW star Jamie Stanton will take the reins as Head Coach of the Queensland Women’s side ahead of the Queensland v Tasmania Australian rules football representative clash on June 22 at Bond University on the Gold Coast. 

Stanton has selected a strong squad from the Bond University QAFLW competition, with former NAB AFL Women’s players including Arianna Clarke, Emma Pittman, Imogen Evans, Kaylee Kimber, Lucy Bellinger and Selina Priest headlining the lineup. Reigning Emma Zielke medallist for the QAFLW Best and Fairest Steph O’Brien, has also been named in the squad.  

Stanton will be joined by assistants Tammie Lauritsen and John Taylor in the coaches box.  

Queensland Women’s Coach Jamie Stanton

After coaching the South Queensland’s women’s team in 2022 and 2023, Stanton said she was ready for the new challenge of taking on the Queensland Women’s coach.  

“It is an honour to be given the opportunity to coach the Queensland Women’s side this year” she said.  

“What excites me the most about coaching the Queensland Women’s side is the vast amount of talent that is currently in the Bond University QAFLW. There will be a lot of competition for spots in the squad.  

“I am expecting a very competitive Tasmanian team that is looking to win. After the announcement of the new Tasmanian AFL/AFLW license, I would assume this Tassie team is looking to promote and showcase why they deserved it.” 

Former North Melbourne star Leigh Harding will return as the Queensland men’s coach in 2024, with redemption in his sights after the Queensland men’s side narrowly went down to the Devils in Hobart in 2023. 

Harding has also selected a threatening squad from the QAFL competition, with former AFL players Liam Dawson, Matt Hammelmann and Rhys Mathieson selected for the Queensland men.  

Wilston Grange’s Rhys Mathieson has been selected for the Queensland Men’s Squad. 

Joining Harding in the coaches box is Marc Seen, Jarrod Keogh and Brad Moore.  

“It was a privilege to lead the group in 2023, and it was an amazing experience to coach such a high quality group of men in front of thousands at North Hobart Oval,” he said. 

“The result last year was disappointing, so the group will take that as motivation into fuelling our road to ‘redemption 24’ and I’m thrilled to be tasked with leading the State’s best again. 

“It’s become a great rivalry between the two states, so I look forward to welcoming them on our turf this year.” 

The State Game between Queensland and Tasmania will take place at Bond University on Saturday June 22. 

The full squads are below: 

Photography by Highflyer Images