Ballenden on target
Brisbane Lions Academy product Connor Ballenden lit up Etihad at the NAB AFL Draft Combine, scoring a perfect 30 out of 30 on the kicking test. The versatile key forward was the only player tested that did so. Lions Academy teammate Jack Payne also scored highly with 29.
While there has been some discussion throughout the year on where he plays his best footy, Ballenden still sees himself as a key forward that can be versatile if needed.
AFLW prospect Ruby Blair also took out the agility test, ranking the highest at the women’s combine, the young Coolangatta Tweed product completing the test in 8.495 seconds.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 05: Connor Ballenden runs sprints during the AFL Draft Combine at Etihad Stadium on October 5, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Adam Trafford/AFL Media)
Lions keep an eye on the future
Both Lions AFLW stars Sabrina Frederick-Traub and Sam Virgo are getting involved in coaching this off-season in different roles. Sabrina will coach the U15 All-Nations team at the National Diversity Championships, while Sam will coach the Darling Downs side at the U17 Queensland State Championships.
Sam Virgo said giving back is something the Lions players value highly and along with Frederick-Traub, are really putting that into practice.
“That was really a mantra for us, definitely in our season one and I’m sure it will continue, that our role is to inspire the next generation,” said Virgo.
“Whether we’re in season or off-season, that’s a real theme for us and a really important part of making sure Queensland footy is successful for a long time.”
QAFL club best and fairest nights incoming
Over the next couple of weeks QAFL clubs on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane will be having their best and fairest nights and revealing who they think their best performers were throughout the year.
The AFL Queensland website, twitter @QAFL_QWAFL and Facebook @officialqafl, will be posting the results as they come in.
QAFL Grand Final highlights released
All the action of the QAFL Grand Final can relived, via the link below.
Coach hunting
It seems to be that time of year that clubs are getting their off-field situation sorted with most footy finished. A number of clubs have advertised, looking for coaches in a variety of roles for 2018.
Vacancies:
On the Coffee Run
AFL Queensland Coach and Volunteers Coordinator Luke Carroll joins the Coffee Run to have a chat about what makes a good umpire and how umpiring is approached from a coaching perspective. Then they get lost on the way to the café.
By Sean Melrose
Follow @seanmelrose
