Tuesday 15 February 2011
Jason Cotter will coach the State team for the fifth year this winter but will be joined on the coaching panel for the first time by ex-Morningside star Jacob Gough.
Cotter has presided over two of the best performances by a Queensland team in interstate history – a historic 11-point win over Tasmania in Launceston in 2007 and a 79-point thrashing of the Apple Islanders at Southport last year.
He also prepared a Maroons outfit that gave Western Australia plenty of cheek in Townsville in 2008.
Cotter and his charges face another massive task against the West Australians in the seaside city of Mandurah this June.
Gough offered his services to AFL Queensland before Christmas and there was no hesitation in providing him with the role of ruck coach of the State team.
The Grogan Medallist and longtime Queensland representative will have plenty of talent to work with, barring injuries, with the likes of Kenrick Tyrrell (NT Thunder), Dean Putt and Daniel Weymouth (Southport) among a number of quality big men in the competition.
“Goughy has been a great servant of State footy and he has plenty to give to the squad,” said AFLQ operations manager Marty King.
Thunder boss Murray Davis has also been confirmed as one of the assistant coaches, with the remainder of the panel still being confirmed.
It is no coincidence the standard of the former QAFL competition improved continually following AFLQ’s strong commitment to interstate football instigated by CEO Richard Griffiths and cemented by King.
The State Under 21 side has been an integral part of the program, although fixturing issues has the game in limbo for the moment.
Both State teams have historically played on the Queen’s Birthday long weekend in June, but the senior match against WA has been put back to June 18.
It means the VAFA Under 21s are unavailable to play their annual contest against the underage Queensland side.
