Palm Beach favorites head south
When the Lions run out this year, they will be missing a couple of contested ball bulls in the guts. Todd Bryant and Tyler Cornish will both be lining up for the Wodonga Raiders in the Ovens and Murray Football League. Bryant, who is a former Raiders captain, landed a dream job in Victoria which was the main reason behind his move home, while Cornish will fly in and fly out each weekend for the game. At least they won’t have to get to know the coach; Ex Palm Beach coach Daryn Cresswell is in charge down there.
Boys on tour
While most of us have just returned from holidays, the AFL-AIS Academy boys are currently jet-setting across the United States on a two-week training camp. Queenslanders Brad Scheer, Jack Bowes, Jacob Allison and Jack Rolls are all currently at the IMG Academy in Florida, undertaking a mixture of physical testing, ball work, recovery sessions, and even getting to tour the Kennedy Space Centre and Tampa Bay Bucacaneer’s (NFL team) facilities. Jack Rolls proved he was in good nick, running third in the 3k-time trail on day three.
The grass is greener
It’s not only players trying to get in tiptop shape for the season ahead. Both the South East SUNS and Springwood’s main ovals are currently getting a makeover, which will have them looking top-notch for the upcoming season.
Panthers pounce on coaches
There will be a couple more new faces in the Morningside coaching box this year. Scott Rixon will be the senior assistant for this season, while Reece Triffett will take over as the reserves coach. Add that to the recently appointed Matt Walder as the senior coach, and the group has a very new feel about it. All three are pictured below with the Morningside head of football, David Lake.
Familiar faces at Yeronga
When Yeronga’s QWAFL team hit the track for night one of 2016, there were a few very experienced heads helping out. Victorian academy coach, Graham Burgen, Western Bulldogs star (and Queensland born) Katie Brennan, and Queensland Female High Performance Manager, Craig Starcevich, all headed to training last week to cast a watchful eye over the Devils. They are going to give the competition a serious shake this year.
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
