It’s been controversial, it’s put a few bees in bonnets, and there have even been a couple of angry text messages from a QAFL coach or two (you know who you are), but today, the QAFL Top 50 reaches it’s conclusion.
It’s top 10 time, and it’s jam packed full of superstars. Check out who made the cut below.
To see 50-41, click HERE
To see 40-31, click HERE
To see 30-21, click HERE
To see 20-11, click HERE
#10 Josh Baxter (Labrador)
Position: Forward
Time in best: 6
Goals: 74
Influence
You don’t win the Ray Hughson Medal as the QAFL leading goal kicker by accident. Baxter had it on a string at times this year. His leading patterns are elite, has strong hands, and is an excellent kick on the run. Always looked capable of tearing a game to shreds this year.
Ability to change a game
When Josh Fraser wasn’t around, Baxter stepped up to the plate. He consistency hit the scoreboard, but it was the big bags he was able to kick that defined his season. Was unstoppable on his way to 11 goals against Mt Gravatt, eight against Sandgate, and seven against Palm Beach. Yes, the delivery to him was superb, but you’ve still got to grab them and kick them.
Consistency
Played 20 games, and kicked goals in 19 of them. How is that for consistency of output. Knew his role in the team, and hit the KPI’s week in week out.
#9 Josh Woolley (Palm Beach)
Position: Midfield/Forward
Time in best: 10
Goals: 11
Influence
Majestic with ball in hand, Woolley can do it all. One of the most athletic players to pull the boots on in the QAFL this year, Woolley is also as tough as nails. Drove the Lions forward all year, not just with his long kick, but also his ability to put the afterburners on for 10 metres to get into the clear.
Ability to change a game
Don’t need any more of an example than round 13 against Mt Gravatt. Woolley was a menace around the footy. He opened the game up by foot off half-back, and then went forward to take the mark of the year. Ticks every box, does the Tasmanian.
Consistency
In a team that struggled a bit for consistency all year, Woolley didn’t let that hinder his output. His purple patch in the middle of the year was as good as anyone has been over three games. Rightfully selected in the Team of the Year.
#8 Eric Kuret (Wilston Grange)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 13
Goals: 4
Influence
The clearance specialist. It didn’t take long for Kuret to settle into the QAFL this year. Is Pendlebury-like the way he slows the game down around him. When it looks like he is in trouble, Kuret’s evasion skills come to the fore, and he is able to feed a handball out. Spins and twirls like a ballerina through the stoppages.
Ability to change a game
If the game was on the line, Kuret got his hands on it first. When the qualifying final against the Magpies was in the balance in the third quarter, Kuret’s work at the stoppages was the catalyst to the Gorillas skipping away. He is a star.
Consistency
Kuret really got the ball rolling with a best on ground performance against Sandgate in round 3, and didn’t look back from there. 13 times in the best out of 16 games says it all.
#7 Darren Pfeiffer (UQ)
Position: Midfield/Forward
Time in best: 14
Goals: 14
Influence
It was a bit of a juggling act for Pfeiffer this year, balancing coaching duties while worrying about getting a kick, but you can’t buy the class that he has. Whether he was playing the plus one role at the stoppage, winning his own footy, or bobbing up to kick a snag, Pfeiff was superb. Had to deal with a tag most weeks as well.
Ability to change a game
As the Red Lions improved, Pfeiffer’s load was reduced, which allowed him more freedom around the ground. When things weren’t going their way early, Pfeiffer was unbelievable. He always gets busy in dangerous positions, and finds an avenue to goal not many others can.
Consistency
Was by far the best UQ player all year, despite sometimes sacrificing his own game for the betterment of the team. Only missed the best in four games.
#6 Cal Carseldine (Western Magpies)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 10
Goals: 3
Influence
The comeback king. The 2015 Grogan Medalist was the Magpies most important player this year. His ability to put his head over the ball, pick the footy out, and then stand up in a tackle was pivotal to the Magpies success.
Ability to change a game
When a 50/50 ball was there to be won, Carseldine cashed in. He laid the foundation for the Magpies attack all year, and was still able to become dangerous on the spread. He set the Magpies up early when they got up and about early.
Consistency
Had a slightly lean patch in the middle of the year, but you couldn’t ask for a better start of finish to the year than Carseldine had. Didn’t miss a beat in his return in 2015.
#5 Lachie Russ (Morningside)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 7
Goals: 16
Influence
He’s not the biggest, not the strongest, not the tallest, but Russ gives you 110 per cent every single time he crosses that line. He has a heart like an ox. The inside midfielder cracks in all afternoon and uses it well. Has a footy brain you can’t teach.
Ability to change a game
I give you the first five minutes of the last quarter in the finals game against the Magpies. With the game up for grabs, Russ took things into his own hands. He nearly got his head taken off twice, bounced back up, and hit targets. As committed as they come.
Consistency
Has built a reputation of being a big game player over the last couple of years. Stands up when it counts. Finished third in the Grogan, and made the Team of the Year.
#4 Nathan Kinch (Morningside)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 12
Goals: 24
Influence
Kinchy is a game winner. It’s as simple as that. There isn’t an area of the ground he isn’t dangerous. Has a lethal left foot, is near on impossible to tag, makes the opposition uncomfortable, and kicks big goals. Superstar.
Ability to change a game
Like a freshly sharpened knife through a slab of meat, Kinch slices games open. His quick first few steps allow him to break lines and get it into the forward line quickly. Played as good of 120 minutes of football as anyone has all year against Broadbeach in the elimination final.
Consistency
Had a good 2015, but found another gear come September. Lives for the big games, and certainly stood up in them.
#3 Josh Fraser (Labrador)
Position: Forward
Time in best: 5
Goals: 52
Influence
When you talk about influence and impact, Fraser’s stats speak for themself. 10 games, 52 goals. He didn’t just duke the ball standing in the goal square, if the ball was on the deck, he moonlighted as a small forward. Was a class above at times this year.
Ability to change a game
In modern day football, it’s pretty rare for a person to win a game off their own boot. Not for Fraser. 10 goals against the Magpies, and eight against Surfers Paradise showed that he’s still got it. Drew two or three defenders in a contest as well which helped the other Tigers’ forwards.
Consistency
Kicked goals in every single game this year. Even if things weren’t going his way, or someone else was having a day out, he still contributed. Super year.
#2 Steve Brittain (Wilston Grange)
Position: Midfield/Forward
Time in best: 10
Goals: 15
Influence
Britts is an absolute bull. A man of his strength and size should not be able to move around like he does. Wins the hard ball, is dangerous on the lead up forward, sets the tone through his physicality, and has a deadly boot.
Ability to change a game
When you talk about putting a team on your back and changing the flow, Brittain heads the list. Whether it was winning the clearance, laying a big tackle, or kicking a clutch goal, Brittain did it all this year. Was instrumental in the Gorillas hanging on in round 5 against Broadbeach.
Consistency
Battled with a calf complaint at times this year, but when he has played, you certainly didn’t miss him. Took out the Syd Guildford, was runner up in the Grogan, and made the Team of the Year.
And now for the top dog of 2015. The man who took the QAFL competition by storm this year, and the man who put himself of the Queensland football map in a big way.
#1 Adam Clarke (Labrador)
Position: Midfield
Time in best: 17
Goals: 15
Influence
If you looked up jet in the footballing dictionary, there’s a picture of this bloke right next to it. Clarke was not just the best player in the game this year; he was the most important to his team as well. There were a few people that were considered for this number one position, but Clarke’s run, carry, speed and disposal were just too good to ignore, he basically picked himself. Clarke was the most important part of the Tigers armory in 2015, which is a massive call considering the superstars they have running around in the yellow and black. Silky smooth.
Ability to change a game
The best outside mover in business. Clarke lit games up this year with ball in hand. The Tigers did their best work on the bigger grounds this year, and that was because of Clarke’s ability to tear it apart when he got on his bike. His game changing nature was fully realised in round 16 when he didn’t play against Wilston Grange, and the Tigers struggled to find any speed or momentum heading forward. Had a massive impact week in, week out. Defines the word game changer.
Consistency
Missed just the one game this year. Clarke’s worth was proven when he cleared out in the Labrador Best and Fairest count. Played 19 games, and was included in the best a staggering 17 times. Talk about a year.
By Andrew Wiles and Matt Trewhella
