Day one of the AFL Queensland Kooga Under 14 State Championships produced some nail biting games of AFL action on the Sunshine Coast.
Hosted at Fishermans Road, Maroochydore game one kicked off with Papua New Guinea taking on the Suncoast Power.
Missing eight players who were caught up in customs at the international airport, PNG borrowed players from the Raiders and Power camp to even up the numbers.
In overcast, damp conditions the boys from PNG certainly gave the Power a run for their money producing a great game of footy with tremendous athletic capability.
The Power ran out winners 8.2.50 to 5.6.36.
Suncoast Power Coach, Tristan Scott said the Power boys may have been lucky but they certainly deserved the win.
“Playing against PNG was a great learning experience for the boys, to play against athletes that are so strong and nimble,” Scott said.
“We lost our way a bit in patches but looked dangerous with the ball once we got going with more confidence.”
The best match of the day was fought out in game two when the Northern Raiders took on Gold Coast South.
It was a tight contest the entire match which was reflected in the scores, all tied up at the final siren.
Playing five minutes each way both teams gave their all with the Gold Coast Stingrays kicking the winning goal to take the match, 9.6.60 to 8.6.54.
Stingrays Coach, Peter Hill was impressed with the performance of both sides digging deep in trying circumstances to produce some quality AFL action.
“It was really pleasing to see the boys keeping their heads up and tackling hard even when they may have been down on the score board,” Hill said.
In game three the Country Kookaburras were unlucky against the South Eastern Bushrangers in another close encounter.
The Bushies backline were put under constant pressure in the last half with a persistent Kookaburras outfit streaming forward.
Bushie ran out three point winners, 7.6.48 to 6.9.45.
The final game of the day saw Gold Coast North take on the Western Taipans in a one sided affair, the Taipans too strong for the Stingrays.
The Taipans put in a massive first quarter and did not look back coming away with a 37 point victory, 8.11.59 to 3.4.22.
As a part of the Championships, AFL Queensland also provides players with education sessions to further promote and make players aware of numerous topical social subjects.
On day one all players attended an education session about social media and networking presented by Travis Warren from the Queensland State Under 18 coaching group.
Results
Game 1: Suncoast Power 8.2.50 def Papua New Guinea 5.6.36
Suncoast Power
Goals: Bayden Goff 4, Joel Perry-Warren, Reid Gordon, Lachlan McAllister, James Barnes
Best: Fletcher Ormrod, Brodi Finn, Bayden Goff, Joel Perry-Warren, Jason Kennedy James Puschman, Adam Waldron, Zephyr Jenkins
Coaches Comments: A great game and a chance for the team to come together and learn under tough and tight conditions. Will need to improve as week goes on in areas of tackling and 1 percenters.
Papua New Guinea
Goals: Nathanial Noll 2, Boi Mark, Ryan Keale, Jackson Nani
Best: Boi Mark, Trendol Soten, Sam Lianos, Gilmore Morehari, Lachlan Fuller
Coaches Comments: Very Happy with team. They played very hard and we look forward to improving over the week.
Game 2: Gold Coast South 9.6.60 def Northern Raiders 8.6.54
Gold Coast South
Goals: Brad Scheer 2, Nick Byrne 2, Riley Mayne 2, Karlton Wosley, Matt Wells
Best: Brad Scheer, Corey Mullins, Sean Goody, Curtis Marsden, Karlton Wolsey
Coaches Comments: Great team effort under difficult circumstances. Excellent pressure. Happy to get a positive result.
Northern Raiders
Goals: Jesse Davis 3, Lenny Christie 2, Hamish Caruthers 2, Hamish Warren 1
Best: Pat Bensted, Jacob Allison, Ryan O’Shea, Jarrod Clarke, Max Hewett, Declan Watson
Coaches Comments: Great Game
Game 3: South Eastern Bushrangers 7.6.48 def Country Kookaburras 6.8.44
South Eastern Bushrangers
Goals: Jordon Bain 2, Ethan Bobermein-Sek 2, Luke O’Sullivan, Jake Warren, Jack Rolls
Best: Matt Perejmibida, Isaac Mole, Josh Bain, Marcus Peake, Harry Davis
Coaches Comments: After a slow start the boys finally found their feet in the dying minutes to get in front and win the game.
Country Kookaburras
Goals: Nick Kempe 2, Josh Redsell, Joshua Wiloson, Jack Bowles, Reiley Guest
Best: Eli Gunders, Riley Raven, Jack Bowes, Stanton Waiai, Josh Williams
Coaches Comments: Great game of football, very even contest. Kookaburras will learn from this and grow as a young team should. Great game from both teams.
Game 4: Western Taipans 8.11.59 def Gold Coast North 3.4.22
Western Taipans
Goals: Jack Clayton 3, Will Saxby 2, Sam Holna 2, Johnathon Chessells
Best: Lucas Bell, Rory Johnson, Liam Workman, Nat Carswell, Brendan Telford
Gold Coast North
Goals: Valentino Beynon 2, Robert Holley
Best: Harris Newton, Valentino Beynon, Dane Watmuff, Jared Barr
Coaches Comments: Good first up effort. Will be better knowing what is expected at this level. Battled hard.
SCHEDULE FOR DAY 2, WEDNESDAY 27 JUNE
Game 5 – 9:00am – PNG Vs Northern Raiders
Game 6 – 10:30am – Country Kookaburras Vs Gold Coast North
Game 7– 1:45pm – Suncoast Power Vs Gold Coast South
Game 8 – 3:15pm – South Eastern Bushrangers Vs Western Taipans
