By Barry Gibson
Former Melbourne Demons AFL star, Aaron Davey, will take over the reins of the North Queensland senior men’s representative team for 2020.
Davey will assume coaching duties following the three-year tenure of Brad Cooper with the team.
Having played for North Queensland for the past two years, Davey’s transition into his new non-playing role as head coach should be easier given his experience and familiarity with the program.
As he approaches his third season in charge of the Cairns City Lions, Davey has an excellent feel for the talent in the Cairns region and has formed strong relationships with coaches in other North Queensland regions who will play an integral role in the talent ID process.
The Davey-led northerners will be keen to break a four year losing streak against their southern counterparts when the two teams meet on Saturday, 27 June, at Fankhauser Reserve in a curtain closer to the Round 13 NEAFL clash between the Southport Sharks and Redland Bombers.
Davey felt the timing to lead the North Queensland team was perfect in respect to his development as a head coach.
“It’s an honour to play rep footy but an even bigger honour to be appointed coach”, Davey said.
“I’m really committed to developing my coaching and this program provides a great opportunity to do that.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to see first-hand how the programs works and I’m confident I can assemble a talented group and then bring them together to perform at their best.
“There’s some seriously good talent in NQ and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with the other coaches and selectors in identifying that talent.”
In a further coup for the North Queensland representative program, highly credentialed former V/AFL player and coach Peter German will step into the newly created role as North Queensland Coach Mentor.
German played 185 games of V/AFL with North Melbourne before going on to be an assistant coach at Hawthorn and West Coast as well coaching VFL clubs Williamstown, Casey and Coburg.
AFL Queensland State Manager – Senior Football, Barry Gibson, said the elevation of Davey was testament to the outstanding job he has done in transforming the Cairns City Lions while also saying the addition of Peter German to the program would no doubt benefit Davey and his coaching staff.
“Aaron has immersed himself into his coaching over the past two years and has done a fantastic job in transforming a struggling Cairns City Lions team into a finalist in just two years,” Gibson said.
“His appointment is a just reward for his efforts and coaching performance.
“Aaron is working hard to be the best coach he can possibly be and we believe the addition of Peter German to the program will assist Aaron and his fellow coaches in their development.”
