QUEENSLAND’S AFL teams endured a mixed start to their JLT Community Series campaigns, while the AFLW Lions fell short against a spirited Demons outfit. Meanwhile, the sunshine state has had some exciting developments at the grassroots level.

Gold Coast Suns Community Camps hit Townsville:

The Suns conducted school visits and community camps during their time in Townsville for the JLT match against Geelong.  The Suns arrived in North Queensland on Thursday and the players headed out to local football clubs as part of their community camp program.

The Suns hosted over 2000 Townsville locals during their community camps and activities. Perhaps the highlight of the Suns’ time in Townsville aside from the JLT match, was the visit to the Lavarack Barracks. Coach Stuart Dew was joined by Jack Bowes and Touk Miller, who conducted a training session and a Q&A focusing on leadership and teamwork.

AFL9’s on the Beach:

On Saturday, March 3, a new nine-a-side brand of beach footy was held at Mooloolaba beach. The competition included five teams with men and women equally taking part in the games. The games went for half an hour each, starting at 2:30pm and ending with the Grand Final at 5:00pm. The ‘Goose Islanders’ took out the inaugural competition with AFL9’s Queensland promising to announce a future beach competition.

U15’s Male Diversity Championship Teams Announced:

Two Queensland representative teams have today been announced for the 2018 Under 15 Boys squads to compete in the Male Diversity Championships taking place from April 13-19 in Blacktown, New South Wales. The National Diversity Championships includes both the National U15 Kickstart Cup and the National U15 All Nations Cup.

Queensland will field an indigenous team of 22 and a multicultural team of 19 in these competitions. The Diversity Championships are a key part of the AFL’s Diversity program. Full squads and coaches can be found here.

JLT Community Series:

Last weekend the two Queensland AFL clubs played in the JLT Community Series.  The preseason competition provides the opportunity for regional venues to host the elite players in their respective communities. The Brisbane Lions and Sydney Swans clash took place at the Moreton Bay Sports Complex. Unfortunately for the home fans, the match was all one-way traffic. The Swans kicked 11 goals in succession after quarter time, highlighted by Lance Franklin kicking four goals. Number one draft pick Cameron Rayner had a quiet game, with just the five disposals, as the Swans ran out 55-point victors.

Full Time Scores:

BRISBANE:     2.5       2.5       2.8       5.10 (40)
SYDNEY:         3.1       6.6       9.7       14.11 (95)

Goals:
Brisbane: Keays 2, Hipwood 2, Christensen.
Sydney: Franklin 4, Papley 3, Rose 3, Reid 2, Hewett, Parker.

Best:
Brisbane: Martin, Bell, Taylor, Mathieson
Sydney: Franklin, Rampe, Fox, Mills, Kennedy, Papley, Rose

Gold Coast Suns took on the Geelong Cats at Riverway Stadium in Townsville in the JLT Community Series. Geelong were missing their superstar midfield trio of Patrick Dangerfield, Gary Ablett and skipper Joel Selwood. The Suns showcased a new high-pressure, fast-paced brand of football under coach Stuart Dew. The Suns raced to a 21-point lead at quarter time and never seem to be challenged as they finished 56-point victors. The Cats played hard and matched the Suns in most statistical categories, but lacked class without their three midfield stars.

Full Time Scores:

GOLD COAST:            4.4       5.7       11.9     12.13 (85)
GEELONG:                  1.1       2.3       2.9       3.11 (29)

Goals:
Gold Coast: Sexton 2, Fiorini 2, Lemmens 2, Hall 2, Day, Young, Lynch, Holman.
Geelong: Miers, Menzel, Ratugolea.

Best:
Gold Coast: Sexton, Lyons, Holman, Lemmens, MacPherson, Fiorini
Geelong: Tuohy, C. Guthrie, Menegola, Kelly, Gregson, Constable

Next up, Queensland’s AFL sides will clash at Southport’s Fankhauser Reserve from 3:05pm on Sunday, March 11.

AFLW Round 5 | Brisbane Lions vs. Melbourne Demons

Friday night’s round five clash between the Lions and Demons promised to be a nail biter and it sure delivered, with Melbourne keeping their Grand Final aspirations alive in a fighting win over Brisbane. Spearheaded by skipper Daisy Pearce and on-ball partners Karen Paxman and Elise O’Dea, the Demons led from the start to triumph by six points, 4.10 (34) to 4.4 (28).

After a dominant first quarter from Melbourne, the Lions fought their way back over the remaining three quarters. This is becoming a pattern for the Lions girls, having slow starts to their games. A measure of Melbourne’s control was the lopsided 11-3 inside-50 advantage in the opening term. Brisbane kicked their first goal when the dangerous Sabrina Frederick-Traub broke clear and fired through a shot on the run six minutes into the second term. Frederick-Traub was the standout all night, kicking three goals alongside half-back Kate Lutkins who gathered an impressive 28 possessions.

With the game on a knife’s edge in the last quarter, the Lions could consider themselves unlucky after a controversial non-decision in the final play of the game didn’t go their way. With Brisbane down by six points, Shannon Campbell laid a big tackle on Pearce near the forward pocket after she seemed to have ample time to dispose of the ball. Pearce didn’t get a clean disposal away, prompting Campbell and teammate Emily Bates to plead with the umpire for a free kick as the full-time siren sounded.

Melbourne has an extended rest before playing Carlton at Ikon Park next Sunday afternoon. Brisbane will host Collingwood at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex next Saturday afternoon.

Full Time Scores:

MELBOURNE:     2.3     2.6     3.10     4.10  (34)
BRISBANE:         0.0     1.1      2.2       4.4    (28)

Goals:
Melbourne: D Pearce 2, Cunningham, Hore.
Brisbane: Frederick-Traub 3, Gibson.

Best:
Melbourne: D. Pearce, O’Dea, Paxman, L. Pearce, Smith, Patterson, Hore
Brisbane: Frederick-Traub, Lutkins, Ashmore, Anderson, Zielke