After a scintillating seven goal performance for the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions, Sam Stubbs has been awarded the QAFL Round 12 Rising Star nomination.
Stubbs’ seven goals came in just three quarters of football as the key forward was rested for the last term after pulling up short with some hamstring tightness.
The 18 year old started supremely. He kicked five before the first change, putting the game out of reach early for the University outfit.
“I played pretty well, I kicked five in the first quarter, mostly crumbing goals and a few set shots and then I kicked two more goals for the rest of the game,” said Stubbs.
“It was really good to get the win, the boys put in a four quarter performance and I think we’re playing some really good football.”
The rising star has been thrown in the deep end in the PBC forward line, but has settled into the role well, kicking 18 goals in his five senior appearances.
“I’m playing full-forward and just really enjoying it,” said Stubbs.
“I’ve been used mainly as the last man in the goal square, but I still lead up and try and get one-on-one when I can.
“I’m still having to tell some of the boys to stay out of my area but I’m feeling confident and absolutely loving it at the moment.”
The forward line has always been his domain, however it took Stubbs a little while before unearthing himself as a key forward.
“No, I think I’ve pretty much always played up forward, either full-forward or forward pocket, but I became a key forward in Under-16s,” he said.
Stubbs has moved a few times throughout his junior career, beginning his football in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
After his parents decided to move closer to some family that had settled in Queensland, Stubbs made the change to the Gympie Cats, before travelling down the M1 to Palm Beach in Under-16s.
It was after this final move that Stubbs discovered his key strengths in football and established himself as a key forward of the future, for the Lions.
“I think I read the play really well, and my one-on-one contested work is pretty good,” said Stubbs.
“I think another big strength of mine is off the lead and taking the ball above my head.”
Stubbs says the next step in his development relies entirely on his fitness, an area he believes he can improve.
“Just to get fitter so I can run out games a little better and make stronger leads, but fitness is definitely something I want to work on,” said Stubbs.
Outside of football the youngster is currently working on a Certificate Four in Fitness, with aims of becoming a personal trainer.
His football aspirations for the year revolve largely around helping get his team to the finals once again, with consistency a large factor in the outcome.
“To keep playing well and really push for Palm Beach to make the finals,” said Stubbs.
“I think if we can play at our best, we can go a long way to winning the flag.”
Sam Stubbs ambitions do not stop at a Palm Beach Currumbin flag, he’s eyeing off every young footballers dream of going all the way.
“My main goal is to play in the AFL, but to do that I think I need to get my fitness up,” said Stubbs.
“It would be an absolute dream.”
By Byron Parish
