There will be a number of clubs see a changing of the guard in 2024, with multiple QAFL sides announcing new head coaches ahead of pre-season getting underway in the coming months.
Noosa were the first of the competition to announce changes to their 2024 coaching makeup, with the announcement of Matthew Leuenberger to lead the Tigers into 2024. The former Brisbane and Essendon ruckman played 137 matches between the two clubs across a 12 year AFL career and will bring a wealth of experience to the Noosa coaching group.
Outgoing coach Chris Rourke has joined Labrador as their Football Manager.
After reaching their first finals at QAFL level in 2022, Noosa fell short of expectation in 2023 missing finals with just 6 wins for the season and no doubt will be looking for Leuenberger’s appointment to re-vitalise the side heading into 2024. The Tigers have been busy on the player recruiting front too, with number of signings over the past few weeks, headlined by Brisbane Lions veteran Daniel Rich.
At the southern end of the competition, Broadbeach have announced Danny Nolan as the successor to Craig O’Brien, who advised the club he would be stepping away from the senior coaching role. O’Brien leaves behind a large legacy and a solid foundation for Nolan, with 3 grand final appearances over the past four seasons, including the 2021 QAFL Premiership.
Nolan joins the Cats bringing a wealth of experience, with over 400 games as a player, winning multiple premierships and representative honours within the NTFL, Ovens & Murray and Northern Football Netball Leagues. Nolan coached at Heidelberg in NFNL between 2020 – 2022, which included coaching a premiership in 2022. More recently, Nolan has been coaching within the Gold Coast SUNS Academy and the club is excited about where he can take the Cats senior group in 2024. Danny is also the son of former North Melbourne, Mayne and Queensland Great, the late Mick Nolan.
Aspley have also made an announcement on their coaching department, appointing Adrian Pilgrim as the Head Coach of the Hornets QAFL Program for 2024, with dual QAFL premiership coach Daniel Webster moving on to other opportunities in 2024.
After becoming powerhouse of the competition since returning from the VFL, Aspley have elevated Pilgrim after being an assistant coach for the past two years as part of their dual premiership winning coaching group. Previously coaching with Coburg in the VFL before moving the Queensland, Pilgrim was also part of the Queensland State Men’s team coaching panel, as the midfield coach.
Over the weekend, Maroochydore became the most recent club to confirm their head coach for 2024, announcing that Steve Wildschut will take the reigns of their QAFL program.
Wildschut has previously coached with the Brisbane Lions NEAFL program, Morningside in the QAFL as well as undertaking roles in recruitment, development and Coaching within the SANFL, Port Adelaide FC and AFL Queensland across his football journey.
It is anticipated the remaining QAFL clubs yet to make an announcement on their 2024 coaching panels will do so in the coming weeks ahead of pre-season starting in November.
