30. Zac Brain
If you could describe Brain in three words, they would have to be pressure, pressure and pressure. Brain is capable of playing as a speedy winger or a dangerous half-forward and can take a big grab, but it’s his attack on the ball carrier that impresses most.
When Labrador were playing their best footy in 2017, Brain would often be seen charging like a madman at the player with the ball. Just the implied pressure he creates alone, causes turnovers and panic in the opposition’s ranks.
Brain netted 13 goals from his 15 games, showing his ability to go forward when needed and cause issues.
Zac Brain
29. Jarryd Douglas
The best forward in the competition when fit, “Yak” was instrumental in Palm Beach’s run home to premiership success. One on one he is difficult to negate and he is highly efficient around goals. After battling injuries through the year he missed some crucial games which the might Lions were able to compensate, but in the end he was one of the protagonists for their highly successful September.
28. Jesse Green
A dangerous half forward that can go through the midfield, Jesse Green is certainly the type of player that’s hard to find. An incredible athlete and a hard worker around the ground, Green adds that special ingredient to the Mt Gravatt midfield. Green played 15 games and kicked 20 goals, an impressive effort from the Vulture, who also polled 11 votes in the Grogan.
27. Mark DeSousa
The five time club and four time league best and fairest from Victorian club Taylors Lakes, Mark “Sharkey” De Sousa lived up to the hype after his move to Wilston Grange. After taking a year off in 2016, the veteran polled eight Grogan Medal votes from nine games. No bigger was his game vs Labrador when the Gorillas only just went down to the reigning premiers, the in and under midfielder suffered an injury late in the game which allowed the Tigers to regain ascendancy and take the win in a tight result.
26. Riley Buntain
Buntain is one of the most exciting players to watch in the QAFL and when he sets up behind the footy, he can make going forward a nightmare for the opposition.
A fantastic intercept mark, Buntain is also agile on his feet when the ball hits the deck and sold more than a little bit of candy this year to unsuspecting tacklers. When he’s on, so are the Panthers.
25. Drew Mitchell
A consistent workhorse around the packs, the ball-winner and Magpies skipper was one of the most important players in the black and white this year.
Mitchell seemed to get better as the season went on and his strength around the contest and strong leadership was sorely missed in the final rounds when he missed through injury.
From his fourteen games Mitchell registered in the best players six times and tied for the Magpies best and fairest with Gareth Crawford.
24. Evan Panozza
It’s been a huge year for the former Casey Scorpion and Southport Shark and now he adds a selection in the Top 50 QAFL players to his long list of achievements.
Panozza transitioned from the NEAFL to the QAFL seamlessly, showing his class and experience around the footy for the Cats. It’s no wonder he took out the Broadbeach best and fairest and received a QAFL team of the year nod.
The emergence of the tall midfielder was a vital part of Broadbeach’s deep push into the finals this year. Just a real smooth mover and a classy player.
23. Peter Mollison
Morningside’s towering ruckman is perhaps one of the more underrated players running around in the QAFL. Mollison’s 198cm frame and ruck craft allows him to give first use of the footy to the Panthers’ midfield.
The big Panther managed 14 senior games this year and was named in the best five times.
22. Matthew Logan
The Morningside co-captain had another outstanding year cementing his place as one of the most influential and versatile players in the QAFL. His elite ability with the ball has always been his trademark but the nuggety utility took his inside game to another level. This was highlighted by his game against Wilston Grange, ending the seasons of two players after hip and shoulder collisions with the newly formed meat-axe. Capped a huge year off with the best and fairest.
21. Thomas Thynne
Tom Thynne managed just the seven games this season in the QAFL, but when he played Palm Beach were certainly a better side.
The skilful half forward and midfielder kicked over a goal a game and showed genuine class with the footy when he had it this year.
Thynne’s willingness to work on defence and lock down when required is another facet to his game that makes him a key member of the formidable Palm Beach midfield line-up.
