North Queensland has named a 23-man team to play South Queensland this Sunday June 8.
The South Queensland vs. North Queensland match is part of a revamped state representative program that will see a triple header played at Brisbane’s new $14 million Moreton Bay Regional Sports Complex – AFL Precinct.
The South Queensland team – comprising players from the QFA, QAFA, Darling Downs and Wide Bay leagues – will take on the best North Queensland players from Cairns, Capricornia, Mackay, Mount Isa and Townsville.
The Queensland Australian Football League (QAFL) will play the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA), while a women’s All-Stars game will see the state’s best 44 players vying for a spot in the Queensland state squad.
North Queensland Coach Barry Gibson said selectors were extremely pleased with the quality of the playing group.
“It represents a good mix of youth, experience, versatility, size and pace,” said Gibson.
“It’s also very pleasing that we have a number of players that are North Queensland born and bred, which speaks volumes of the efforts by many in developing local NQ talent.
“The match represents the great unknown in terms of the opposition, so we have chosen a group that we believe is incredibly versatile and able to deal with whatever may eventuate throughout the course of the game.”
Gibson said the level of enthusiasm from players in representing their region had been overwhelming.
“It gives us great confidence that the 22 selected players will gel well together and be committed to executing our game plan,” he said.
North Cairns’ gun Kane Richter will captain the North Queensland team.
“In Kane we know have someone who is great leader of men and will lead by example out on the ground,” said Gibson.
NORTH QUEENSLAND TEAM
Nathan Peters North Mackay Saints Mackay
Michael Fisher (vc) Mooranbah Bulldogs Mackay
Bradley Smith Mackay City Hawks MacKay
Jason Di Betta Hermit Park Tigers Townsville
Tyson Payne Glenmore Bulls Capricornia
Adam Mueller North Cairns Cairns
Scott Rowe North Cairns Cairns
Kane Richter (capt) North Cairns Cairns
Clint Guy Centrals Trinity Cairns
Adam Boone Port Douglas Cairns
Jesse Dixon Cairns Saints Cairns
Matthew Walsh (vc) Cairns Saints Cairns
Jack Philp Cairns Saints Cairns
Tim Lamprill Cairns Saints Cairns
Jermaine Wardle South Cairns Cairns
Joshua Hegarty South Cairns Cairns
Zac Ewer South Cairns Cairns
Luke Donohoe South Cairns Cairns
William English South Cairns Cairns
Michael Paul (vc) City Lions Cairns
Duncan Seden City Lions Cairns
Cameron Adam City Lions Cairns
Cameron Duffy Manunda Hawks Cairns
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Coach: Barry Gibson Townsville
Assistant Coach: John Tootell Cairns
Assistant Coach: David Harding Mackay
Assistant Coach: Nick Braybon Cairns
Runner: Jamie Fogg Townsville
