Josh Smith, Ryan Fletcher, Sam Moyle and Matthew Joseph of the Darling Downs Demons have been selected in the 2010 Under 16 Queensland Country Kookaburra’s squad to compete at the State Championships, during May. All of the boys were the stand outs for the Darling Downs Demons at the recent Country Championships and all deserved their selection in the squad. Stay tuned for a follow up to the State Championships and how our Darling Downs boys went.
The Darling Downs Demons also finished a respectable 5th in the recent Country Championships. The Demons got their championships off to a good start with an impressive 9.8 (62) to 0.0 (0) win over the Wide Bay Tigers. Captain Josh Smith was prolific in this match and took out Best on ground honours; forward Ryan Fletcher kicked 3, while Rover Josh Stahlhut booted 2 in the win over the Tigers. In the demons round 2 clash against the hard running Townsville Eagles, the Demons got off to a good start leading at half time but DD’s finishing in front of goal cost them the game going down to the Eagles by 4points. DD 2.9 (21) def. By T’Ville 4.1 (25), again Josh Smith was outstanding, whilst ruckman Scott Goodlett was impressive winning every ruck tap and getting into good position, Henderson was extraordinary off the halfback flank, setting up a lot of play.
With the carnival games only being 2 x 15minute halves and the Demons have a tough draw, with their first 3 games played in the first 3hours of the day, fatigue had set in and this was evident against a fired up Mackay Crows. The Crows came out fired up and ran over the Demons in the first half kicking 4goals to 1 behind. DD regrouped at half time and hit the ground running, putting on the first goal of the second half, but an extra two goals to Mackay, put the game to rest and the Mackay Crows ran out victors 6.7 (43) to Darling Downs Demons 1.1 (7).
After a 3 ½ hour break, the Demons returned to the oval, to take on the undefeated Cairns Lions and the eventual Championship Winners. Cairns ran all over the Demons winning 9.5 (59) to 1.1 (7), Dignan kicked the only goal for the Demons and was one of the best whilst skipper Josh Smith continued his good form and was a major ball winner. Going into day 2, the Demons had two tough opponents in the Capricornia Stars and the Cape York Crusaders.
In a tight and physical contest the Demons were victorious over the more fancied Cap team running out 2point winners 2.4 (16) to 2.2 (14). Fletcher and Wainwright kicked goals for the Demons, while Smith, Dignan, Henderson, Moyle and Walters were amongst the best for the Demons. In the last game of the championships, the Darling Downs faced a slick, highly skilled Cape York Crusaders outfit. With everyone watching the Demons and Crusaders put on a tough, highly skilled and impressive showing. The first half belonged to the Crusaders who kicked 5.3 to the Demons 0.1. It was the second half that the Darling Downs showed what they were made of, kicking 2.2 for the half to the Cape York’s 1 straight. Fletcher added to his championship tally kicking another goal, while Stahlhut kicked his third of the champs. Darling Downs going down 2.3 (15) to 6.3 (39). Henderson, Joseph and Moyle were outstanding for the Demons in the last game of the championships.
AWARDS
Coaches Award: Josh Smith
Hard Nut Award: Mitch Hiscock
Players Player: Josh Smith
Players Player Top 5
Josh Smith 84votes
Lochie Dignan 54votes
Sam Moyle 50votes
Mitch Hiscock 44votes
Matt Joseph 39votes
A big thank you to Jeff Neumann, Robyn Rissman, Michael O’Donoghue Senior, Michael O’Donoghue Junior and Keith Webb for all of their help throughout the under 16 program, to all of the parents who travelled and supported the group and to Thomsons Pharmacy and Bushmans Tanks.
Download your copy of the detailed results below.
Released: Wednesday 28th April 2010
By: Jeff Neumann Development Officer
Last Modified on 13/07/2010 12:17