Page 62 - AFL Queensland 2014 in Review

NEW STRUCTURE
In a newly structured program, AFL Queensland appointed a full-time high performance coach for the first time, with former Brisbane Lions assistant Adrian Fletcher, coming on board.
With a compacted U18 Nationals format, Queensland played no cross-division games this season, instead playing six TAC Cup games, contesting the Div 2 championships against NSW/ACT, NT and Tasmania.
TAC CUP
Queensland broke even over its TAC Cup stint, with a 3-3 final result, after a slow start.
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QUEENSLAND UNDER 18 STATE TEAM
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Undone by a poor final quarter against Oakleigh and struggling in wet conditions against Sandringham, Queensland was on the back foot at the start of the season, 0-2.
It was third time lucky for the Maroons, who snatched a thrilling win over Gippsland, before making it two in a row, with a comfortable 57-point win over the Eastern Ranges.
Those two victories gave them stellar form heading into their 2014 nationals campaign.
Their TAC Cup season finished in mixed fashion, with a 20-point loss to North Ballarat in their final home game.
Many of this year’s side will remember clearly the final match, against Geelong, which hung in the balance until the final siren, with Queensland winning by just one point.
Forward-turned-defender, Aspley’s Harris Andrews, proved crucial in the final quarter of that match, with some vital contested marks in the Queensland back line.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Queensland finished second in the 2014 National Championships, which culminated in a thrilling Div 2 grand final against NSW/ACT.
Queensland kicked off their campaign in Blacktown with a 29-point win over Tasmania and it was bottom-ager Ben Keays who surprised many with his best on ground performance.
Playing on the half-forward flank, Keays kicked four goals and had 29 disposals, at 90 per cent efficiency, to grab recruiters’ attention.
Queensland’s match against NT was similarly dominant, with the Maroons winning by 30 points, controlling the match the whole way.
A slow start against NSW/ACT cost the Queenslanders, who finished just nine points short of the national title, after an impressive final performance.