AFL Queensland has announced an initial 45-man squad for the 2016 Queensland State Team, who will take on the Western Australian Amateur Football League (WAAFL) in a state representative match on June 3.
The squad is made up of 41 players who are listed to QAFL clubs, and four who have shared their time between the NEAFL and QAFL this year.
Ladder leaders Morningside head the pack with nine representatives, followed closely by Labrador with eight.
Chairman of selectors, David Lake, said he is pleased with the balance of the squad.
“We are really happy with the 45 we have picked; it’s a fantastic mix of youth and experience,” Lake said.
“The makeup of the whole squad is excellent, and they all have a great opportunity. Being able to represent your state in the 150-year celebrations is a very special thing.
“If we get the buy-in from the players from the moment they arrive, it’s going to be a competitive side.”
The mix Lake speaks of ranges from Connor Stackelberg, a 19-year-old Sandgate player, right through to Morningside’s Ashley Evans, who is 33.
Also announced was the assistant coaching panel for the team.
Palm Beach Currumbin’s Chad Owens, Wilston Grange’s Matt Trewhella and Labrador coach Perry Meka – all current QAFL senior coaches – will be in the box on the night to support senior coach John Blair.
“The coaches have been really supportive; it’s been a seamless process,” Lake said.
Training will commence on May 11 at Mt Gravatt at 6:30pm.
The squad will take part in four training sessions before the game against the WAAFL on July 3 at Yeronga, kicking off at 7:00pm
The 45-man squad will be trimmed to 23 closer to the game.
2016 QUEENSLAND STATE TEAM SQUAD
| First Name | Surname | Club |
| Jason | Ainsworth | Aspley/Sandgate |
| Douglas | Lawrence | Aspley/Western Magpies |
| Ryan | Pantic | Broadbeach |
| Nathan | Quick | Broadbeach |
| Josh | Baxter | Labrador |
| Matthew | Daniel | Labrador |
| Ryan | Davey | Labrador |
| Bill | Hicks | Labrador |
| Wayde | Mills | Labrador |
| Bryce | Retzlaff | Labrador |
| Thomas | Thorsen | Labrador |
| Jayden | Young | Labrador |
| Ryley | Buntain | Morningside |
| Joseph | Dalton | Morningside |
| Ashley | Evans | Morningside |
| Nathan | Kinch | Morningside |
| Matthew | Logan | Morningside |
| Peter | Mollison | Morningside |
| Adam | Mueller | Morningside |
| Alastair | Nash | Morningside |
| Lachlan | Russ | Morningside |
| Todd | Carbone | Mt Gravatt |
| Rhys | Estall | Mt Gravatt |
| Will | Hamill | Mt Gravatt |
| Joseph | Murphy | Mt Gravatt |
| Andrew | Smith | Mt Gravatt |
| Jonathan | Croad | Palm Beach Currumbin |
| Jesse | Derrick | Palm Beach Currumbin |
| Jarryd | Douglas | Palm Beach Currumbin |
| Jackson | Emblem | Palm Beach Currumbin |
| Josh | Woolley | Palm Beach Currumbin |
| Samuel | Godfrey | Redland/Mt Gravatt |
| Soul | Cormick | Sandgate |
| Aden | Rutledge | Sandgate |
| Connor | Stackleberg | Sandgate/Aspley |
| Harrison | Fraser | Surfers Paradise |
| Daniel | Green | Surfers Paradise |
| John | Macansh | Surfers Paradise |
| Fraser | Pope | Surfers Paradise |
| Ben | Woolford | Surfers Paradise |
| George | Hannaford | University of Queensland |
| Callum | Carseldine | Western Magpies |
| Val | Pope | Western Magpies |
| Luke | Scott | Western Magpies |
| Brent | Staker | Western Magpies |
| Steven | Brittain | Wilston Grange |
| Fletcher | McIvor | Wilston Grange/Aspley |
| Lachlan | Nixon-Smith | Wilston Grange |
MATCH DETAILS
Friday June 3, Leyshon Park, Yeronga
5:15pm – Masters exhibition game
South East Queensland Masters vs. North Queensland Masters
7:00pm – State representative match
Queensland vs. Western Australian Amateur Football Association
By Andrew Wiles
Follow @andrewjwiles
