Match of the Round:
4:45pm – UQ Vs. Maroochydore (UQ Oval 9 St Lucia)
This will be an interesting match-up for Maroochydore’s QWAFL debut. After falling agonisingly short of a grand final berth last year, UQ will be raring to kick-start their season with a win in front of their home crowd. Meanwhile, Maroochydore has a point to prove. After going undefeated in the QWAFA last year, the Roos have been chomping at the bit to make the move up to the QWAFL and will be desperate to prove they belong at this level. UQ will be relying on their experienced players to guide the way, but this one could get interesting if Maroochydore are able to break the shackles early.
Fresh faces:
We will see a total of five QWAFL coaches step into the box for their new team this weekend. Yeronga and Maroochydore are the only two clubs who have retained their senior coach from last year, with Scott Stephens looking to continue where he left off with Yeronga and Maroochydore’s Stu Jackson making his QWAFL debut this week. David Thorpe (Coolangatta Tweed), Phil Lovett (UQ), John Taylor (Zillmere), Michael Hewitt (Coorparoo) and Laura Kidd (Wilston Grange) are the new charges. It will be intriguing to see any changes these clubs have made after a full pre-season with their new coach.
Debbie’s delay:
With round one of the 2017 Bond University QWAFL wiped out by the wrath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie, all teams have been given two points to start the season and an extra week of preparation before the QWAFL kicks off. AFLQ expects all grounds to be ready for round two. With the Brisbane Lions’ QWAFL players due to be available round four, there will effectively be a two-game headstart for clubs to find some form before the competition is sure to heat up.
UQ’s FIFO plans
UQ will be flying players in from all over the state this season, with young gun Cambridge McCormick the first to experience the fly-in, fly-out treatment – named in UQ’s round two side McCormick has moved to Port Douglas for her university studies, however UQ coach Phil Lovett remains confident he’ll get close to eight matches out of his talented youngster who played six games in 2016. Joining McCormick on the FIFO list is Lauren Bella – a youth girls academy product who was named Mackay’s Junior Sportperson of 2016. Bella is currently completing grade 12 in Mackay but will join the club for multiple games later in the season. Rhiannon Bush is another rising star who will be flying in from Townsville during the year. With such a powerful injection of young talent joining the side throughout 2017, could this be UQ’s year?
Round 2 Matches:
Sat. April 8
4:45pm – Coorparoo Vs. Wilston Grange
Venue: Coorparoo – Giffin Park
4:45pm – UQ Vs. Maroochydore
Venue: UQ – Oval 9 St Lucia
4:45pm – Zillmere Vs. Coolangatta Tweed
Venue: Zillmere – O‘Callaghan Park
BYE: Yeronga South Brisbane
By Josh Cheadle
Twitter: JoshCheadle20
