Queensland’s best-performing senior footballers will once again have the opportunity to represent their state in 2023 with the return of senior men’s and women’s interstate representative football.
The selected teams will take on Tasmania on the famous North Hobart Oval on Saturday 1 July for a men’s and women’s representative football double header.
Both matches will be open age, with each team required to field at least six players aged 23 or under. Queensland’s teams will be made up of the top players from the senior competitions across the state.
Both state bodies will work closely with AFLW clubs (AFL Queensland with the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns and AFL Tasmania with the North Melbourne Tasmanian Kangaroos) to provide opportunities for identified talent on the radar of those elite clubs, however currently listed AFLW players will not be eligible to play.
The coaching appointment processes will commence shortly with an initial squad selection to follow in the new year.
This will be the first time Queensland and Tasmania have played in men’s and women’s representative games against each other since 2010 and 2015 respectively.
Queensland has not played state representative footy since 2019, the same year the women’s Emerging Talent’ squad last travelled away with the likes of Lauren Bella and Jade Pregeli from the Gold Coast SUNS and Dakota Davidson and Cathy Svarc from the Brisbane Lions played in Western Australia.
The men’s team last travelled to Western Australia in 2011 when a 22-year-old Dayne Zorko represented Queensland.
Head of AFL Queensland, Trisha Squires said it was great to see rep games back on the football calendar.
“Football in Queensland is stronger than ever and we’re ready to put that pride back in the maroon jumper.
“Queensland has a rich history of state football, and to have matches against such a proud football state in Tasmania is incredibly significant for our men’s and women’s teams.
“Queensland continues to produce AFLW talent, and this state game will offer an exciting opportunity for our up-and-comers to play at that higher level. Similarly, the men’s program will mix some of our best players with our rising stars.
“Thank you to Damian Gill and the AFL Tasmania team for all the hard work that has gone into hosting such a prestigious event.”
Head of AFL Tasmania, Damian Gill said he was looking forward to the writing of a new chapter in 2023 with Tasmania’s men’s and women’s teams taking to the field on the same day.
“The ‘Map’ is arguably our state’s most important sporting icon, and it will be a thrill to see Tasmania’s best men’s and women’s talent wearing it proudly at the traditional home of Tassie footy,” he said.
“There’s no doubt that representing your state is a career highlight for any footballer, and I know everyone involved in this double header – including local coaches, umpires, and administrators – will relish the opportunity.
“We have worked closely with Trisha Squires, Richie Lyons and the AFL Queensland team to make this a reality, and we look forward to continuing to work together between now and July.”
It’s been an incredible year for the game in Queensland with Brisbane Lions superstar Ally Anderson and local product Ally Anderson winning the AFLW Best-And-Fairest award this week, while four of Anderson’s teammates who all came through the Queensland pathway, were named in the All-Australian team – Breanna Koenen, Jesse Wardlaw, Natalie Grider and Greta Bodey.
The state has also seen record participation this year of more than 58,000 registered participants from NAB AFL Auskick through to junior, youth and senior community club football.
