Retzlaff a Tiger again
How is this for a homecoming story? Former Brisbane Lions player Bryce Retzlaff has put pen to paper on a deal that will see him return home to Labrador for season 2016. Retzlaff, who was drafted from the Labrador to the Lions in the 2010 National Draft, has also had stints at Box Hill and Central Districts in recent years, but has returned north to pull on the yellow and black once again. The 24 year old, who stands at 195cm tall, just might be the marquee player of the competition in six months time.
Welcome home, Tom
The homecomings to Queensland football aren’t restricted to community level. Last week, Tom Bell was traded from Carlton to the Brisbane Lions, meaning he will return home to play footy in 2016. The Morningside product, who came through the Queensland Academy system, is a bull in the midfield who wins his own footy. He should give the Lions some real drive this year.
Youth Girls hanger
There were some unreal passages of play right throughout the AFL Queensland Under 17 Youth Girls State Championships last week, but I think Tori Groves-Little’s screamer in the grand final might just top them all. She is a star. Check out the grab HERE
Coolangatta now in the right Lane
The Coolangatta-Tweed Football Club have bolstered their coaching stocks in a big way, signing on former Western Bulldogs and Collingwood player Tyson Lane as senior coach for 2015. Lane, who is also a AFL Cairns Best and Fairest winner, will definitely steer the Blues in the right direction next year, and might even bring a few players over from South Australia with him.
Hump going on
After taking the Magpies to second on the QAFL ladder at the conclusion of the home and away season in 2015, Glenn Humphrey has been re-signed as coach of the Western Magpies for another year. While they were disappointed with their early finals exit, the Magpies came on in leaps and bounds this year with a pretty young crew. Look for them to take another step up next year.
Pearson hops over to Robina
He’s coached South Queensland, he’s coach Griffith Moorooka, now Tim Pearson is taking another step up in the coaching ranks, taking the reins at Robina in the QFA South competition for 2016. Pearson is a very, very good operator; don’t be surprised if the Roos shoot up the ladder into finals contention straight away.
Two is better than one?
No one can deny how good both Karl Brockman and Jono Giles were this year for the Moreton Bay Lions. In fact, they were both so good, they couldn’t be split in the best and fairest counts share the Moreton Bay Best and Fairest this year. A lot of their grunt work throughout was the reason the Lions were able to move up the ladder.
AFL connection at the Youth Girls Champs
Brisbane Lions player Jonno Freeman, who was helping out with the Sunshine Coast Storm on the weekend wasn’t the only person at Yeronga last week with an AFL connection. Jonathon Brown’s niece, Shae Adams from the Gold Coast SUNSETS was also running around. It seems footballing runs in the bloodline as well, Adams was one of the standouts of the carnival.
Jonno Freeman with the Sunshine Coast Team
By Andrew Wiles
