Page 50 - AFL QUEENSLAND 2012 YEAR IN REVIEW

NEAFL REPORT
Two years into the NEAFL competition and we continue to see the bar raised in all facets of club administration, player recruitment, development and infrastructure.
The existing NEAFL clubs continue to develop long-term sustainable models of administration in arguably the toughest economic market in Australia and are to be applauded for delivering another year of high quality match day environments and competition for all players, officials, supporters and coaches.
The season had many twists and turns. After eight games, who would have thought that the team that was 7-1 would not make the final five? Labrador had the dream start to the 2012 NEAFL season but after a series of injuries to star players, the Tigers won only two games after round nine to miss the finals by percentage.
A healthy Brisbane Lions list meant they were going to be a challenge for any team in 2012 under the guidance of Nathan Clarke. Such was the form of the Lions throughout the season that they comfortably disposed of back-to-back grand finalists NT Thunder in the Northern Conference Grand Final before claiming the NEAFL Championship title a week later against Queanbeyan. This was the first time the Lions had won a premiership since 2001.
After missing the finals for the first time in ten seasons, Morningside’s 2012 Foxtel Cup campaign was the only shining light for the Panthers. Their third-round exit from the prestigious hybrid competition was staggering, considering the young list first-time senior coach Aaron Rogers had put together. Three wins for the season is something the Panthers’ faithful would not be to accustomed to but full credit must go to the Morningside Football Club board that opened their new change rooms late in 2012.
Redland’s young list continued to impress, finishing fourth at the end of the home and away season under the guidance of NEAFL coach of the Year Greg Seton-Lonsdale. The welcome edition of three-time Morningside Premiership coach and long-time AFL administrator Martin King as the clubs Football Manager means the Bombers will look to avenge their first semi-final loss against Southport; a memorable match that saw Hayden Kiel nail a set 35 metre shot after the siren to win the game for the Sharks, breaking the hearts of Bayside players, coaches and supporters.
After missing the finals in 2011, Southport lured back former player Jason Burge and eventual 2012 Grogan Medallist Fraser Pope from the VFL, as well as attracting a number of stars off AFL lists. Their season ebbed and flowed with Queensland Coach of the Century Norm Dare putting his team into another preliminary final, only to go down to the Thunder in an entertaining match at H&A Oval.
Broadbeach narrowly missed the finals for the second consecutive season, the team missing out in 2011 by percentage and in 2012 by one game. A season of missed opportunities and some bad luck cost the Cats a finals berth, however the emergence of many young players in their Premiership winning SEQAFL Cup team is a positive for the club.
Aspley had a disappointing season off the back of their 2011 NEAFL finals series match, with the inconsistent Hornets struggling at critical stages of the year. Despite the lack of on-field NEAFL success the Hornets SEQAFL Cup team played in the Grand Final and, should they hold onto some of their emerging stars, they will become as predicted the strong North-side club. The off season signing of former Morningside legend John Blair to coach the club in 2013 is a sign the Hornets are a step closer to claiming the ultimate prize.
Mt Gravatt battled throughout the 2012 season with little success at senior level under the guidance of former Redland assistant and Tasmanian state Under 18 Coach Andrew Mellor. They did win five matches with an inexperienced senior team and some young players who showed glimpses of what could be in the years to come.
The NT Thunder continues to be the envy of many NEAFL clubs, providing a pathway for Territorians to elite level AFL. Fifteen wins in 2012 saw the Thunder take out another minor premiership, but they were soundly beaten by a slick Lions outfit in the Northern Conference Grand Final.
The Gold Coast SUNS played finals for the second consecutive season with Shaun Hart and the GC SUNS coaching staff developing a fine list of young players who proved a headache to competitors when at full strength. After a solid start to the season, the GC SUNS season took a turn for the worse when a slew of serious inquires hit the squad and they limped into their first final only to be soundly beaten by the Bombers.
An exciting Grogan Medal count saw Tom Salter (Redland), Fraser Pope (Southport) and Ryan Davey (Labrador) achieve the fourth three-way tie in the medal’s history.
In the newly revised state program, the dominance of the Northern Conference (QLD/ NT) against our Eastern counterparts (NSW/ACT) was a clear indicator of where Queensland football is at.
In closing, the NEAFL concept continues to evolve and so too does the underpinning structures of Queensland football. I thank all clubs, volunteers and fans who support the NEAFL program and look forward to another big year in 2013.
CRAIG MILLAR
NEAFL OPERATIONS MANAGER
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2012 Year in Review