Who’s who of AFL Darling Downs have their say ahead of Season 2022

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Goondiwindi Hawks

Women’s Co-Captains: Shaye Easton and Phoebe Baskerville 

“It’s really positive. We have a lot of fresh faces and a lot of players who are building on a couple of years playing football. Our expectations for 2022 are for the women to enjoy their football, continue to build on the culture we are growing at the Hawks and push the established teams in the competition again.”

Men’s Captain: Aidan Doolan 

2022 season is looking promising, I am looking forward to hanging out with the new players and to play some footy. My expectations for the season is for everyone to enjoy their footy and try there best, what more can you ask for.”

 

Toowoomba Tigers AFC

Women’s Captain: Lauren Jericho

“We are very excited for the 2022 season and expecting big things again this year from our playing group. We have a lot of new faces in the team as well as starting to see our junior girls transition into the senior competition which is fantastic. I am looking forward to leading the girls again to hopefully another successful season.”

 

Men’s Captain: Matt Kelly

“2022 season is looking positive with a few new fresh faces mixed with an experienced coaching staff. Our expectations are the same as they have always been and that’s to play finals and put some respect on the Tigers senior men name.”

 

President: Nathan Miller

“Our juniors have started the season off with an undefeated under 17s premiership and numbers are strong for all junior and youth teams. Seniors have a lot of exciting youth coming through both of our teams. So we are excited to build on that and what the future holds. The goal for 2022 at TAFC is to continue to grow and improve results  both on and off the field as a whole club.”

 

 

South Toowoomba Bombers

Women’s Captain: Stephanie Robbie

“Our season is looking strong. We have a few girls who are coming back with fire in their bellies after last year’s loss in the prelim. We also have some new recruits who are keen to show what they can do. It should be an exciting season for us. We want the premiership, especially after a couple of heartbreaking losses in the previous few years.

 

Alone we walk, together we fly.”

 

Men’s Captain: Gabe Robbie

“We have had a really great start to the season. We started training in early January and we have had really good numbers from the very beginning. We have managed to maintain our core group from last year, and have picked up a couple of new recruits as well, which we are really excited about. We are back to back premiers, so we know that all the teams will be marking our games on the calendar. That means we have to bring our best every week, we know that. Our goal is a third premiership, but we are well aware that it won’t come easy, and we are really excited for the challenge. Our coach, Stewy, has had the same catchphrase for three seasons now, so that’s going to by my quote for the season. “Lower, Harder and First.”

 

Dalby Swans

President: Kira-Lee Hope

“2022 is looking very promising. Both our men’s and women’s teams are looking really good and strong. We still have some work to do with our juniors but I’m feeling confident. Dalby Swans AFC have even grown to include local netball teams which has increased to 3 teams this year. I hope the year runs smoothly and everything grows throughout the year; from player numbers to spectators and everything in between.”

 

Men’s Coach: Carl Doherty

“We have new recruits and the new players are enjoying it and fitting straight in. The culture is good around the team and the year is looking to be promising. Expectations: to have a strong competitive season and continue building our team and club as a group.”

 

Men’s Captain: Tyler Peltz

“The 2022 season for the men is looking to be very strong, with a great atmosphere. With some new faces on the team, we are looking forward to seeing what we can achieve as a team this season. This season the team and I are determined to strive for our best performance on and off the field, supporting our club and encouraging the younger members of the club.”

 

Women’s Coach: Sam Banks

“2022 is shaping up well after the under 17s, we look to have 4-6 players stepping up for their first season of senior women’s and have fitted in really well with our returning players. As a coach I have put it to the girls what we are expecting; and have come up with we want to play finals football and not just limping into finals we want to be there at the end of this season.”

Women’s Captain: Jessica Smith

“2022 is looking to be a fun and competitive year! We have gained some great young girls who we can’t wait to put to the test of women’s football, it has brought some fresh vibes to our existing team and we couldn’t be happier. Our team is growing and our club is shaping up for a successful season. I would love our ladies to go out and play hard but fair for the 2022 season. I will be encouraging the ladies to work as a team and continue to build for the future.”

 

University Cougars

   

Captain: Ash ‘Guinea’ Harley

“I am excited about the season ahead. We have a very young and enthusiastic group that are learning and growing each week. I think we are looking to be very competitive with the top teams in the competition. Intent is to finish in the top half of the ladder, make finals, and see what happens from there.”

 

Coach: Geoff Dunning

“We’ve had excellent attendance at training this pre-season, had two practice matches prior to Round 1 which we got a bit out of. Our leadership group has been fantastic, leading by example on and off the field. Expectations are off a high a standard, anything short of last years result would be below par. With an average age of 21, 16 additional games under their belt from last season… the lads are keen to go!”

 

President: Andrew Baird

“We have a positive outlook for season 2022, on and off the field. After withdrawing all teams from the competition in 2020 during the peak of Covid-19 we have been working hard as a club to rebuild and bolster our playing numbers across all age groups. With a new committee and plenty of fresh faces within our coaching ranks we are excited to see footy return to the Darling Downs for 2022 and University Cougars chalking up plenty of wins. Expectations for this season is for University Cougars to become a destination club in the Toowoomba Region through competitive on field performances and a strong club culture based on our core values.”

 

Coolaroo

Captain: Hayden Smith

 

Mens Coach: Milo Grice

“2022 is looking very positive – it has been a great pre-season the boys have worked super hard finished off with a couple very positive pre-season games. Our expectations for the season ahead are to try and stop Stewies Train!”

President: Harry Claydon 

“Our season is shaping up to be bigger yet again in season 2022. We welcome new executive and committee members to our club in which bring a wealth of different skill sets and experiences.  We will be fielding the same age groups last year, introducing new coaches to our competitive junior age groups. On field, Coolaroo are shaping up to be a competitive force once again in season 2022, looking to go one step further. Off the field, we are continuing to provide unique opportunities to our members and DD Footy. We look forward to revealing unique jersey designs, as well as hosting Dane Swan for a one off game on June 25th followed by a Sportsperson dinner which will be the first time a Brownlow medalist has come to DD, let alone pulled on a jersey within the competition. 

“We expect to have promising results on field, as well as continuing development of our club culture. We have had a very successful 2022 club Auskick campaign in which we have had some promising numbers expect to transition these numbers into our Footy 4 Fun age groups. We expect a fierce competition amongst the Darling Downs League and look forward to show casing our skills against our oppositions.”

 

Warwick Redbacks

Captain: Steven Grogan  

“I believe we have the team to cause a few upsets. We showed plenty of growth last year and there is a similar feeling around our group this year. Our team has a nice mix of youth and experience and our experienced crew are eager to taste success towards the back end of their careers.”

 

South Burnett Saints

Co Captains: Jeremy Zaccardi & Keegan Wright

“Our 2022 season is looking promising if COVID doesn’t get in the way. Our expectations for the season are to be pretty competitive with a bunch of new players joining us this year.”

 

 

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