By Alice Barker
The Queensland Under 16 representative team are ready to tackle Tasmania on the Gold Coast in Round Two of the NAB AFL U16 National Championships, according to coach Leigh Harding.
Harding, who made his coaching debut with the team in last round’s loss to NSW/ACT, says the team are looking at last week’s game as a learning curve.
“We looked at some vision around some set-up stuff, to get better positioning, really basic things that we’ve always acknowledged that we could improve a little bit,” Harding told aflq.com.au.
“It’s going to put us in a good stead to win the games.”
Heading into the crucial contest against Tasmania at Metricon Stadium next Tuesday, the Queensland side are privy to industry knowledge thanks in part to the Brisbane Lions,
For the last couple of training sessions, a handful of Lions players, including Ryan Lester, Harris Andrews and Rhys Mathieson, have been visiting the team to prepare the boys for the upcoming rounds.
“The Lions guys come out just to pass some knowledge in the game, improve these kids coming through and improve Queensland footy,” Harding said.
Harding credits the initiative, acknowledging through club visits and training sessions, players can “…see where the guys have come from, and where they could potentially end up”.
The two sides will go head-to-head at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, as the Queensland side welcomes back a few players from the bench.
“We had to assess what we did with NSW and base it on that going forward,” says Harding.
Noah McFayden (Wilston Grange) had a stand-out performance in last week’s game in the loss, booting four goals for Queensland and is one to watch next week.
Later on in the week, the Queensland team will return to Brisbane for their match against Northern Territory at Voxsn Oval, Aspley, for a 12.15pm kick-off.
2019 NAB AFL UNDER 16 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND 2 FIXTURE
Queensland v Tasmania
Tuesday July 9, 12:15pm AEST
Metricon Stadium
Queensland v Northern Territory
Saturday July 13, 12:15pm AEST
Voxson Oval, Aspley
