WARWICK DAILY NEWS | 18 JULY 2012
REDBACKS captain Brendan Iles has become the first player from the Southern Downs to make a Queensland Country side.
"I am excited to be selected, it is up with career highs like playing two games in the Brisbane Lions reserves while still at school," Iles said.
He will catch a plane to Canberra with the Queensland Country side this morning.
"We bus it from Canberra to Wagga Wagga for our five (round) games of 30-minute halves," Iles said.
The Redbacks star has traditionally played as a defensive midfielder but at the Queensland Country selection trials in Cairns, he was more an attacking midfielder.
He kicked one goal in Cairns.
Queensland Country will play its first games tomorrow against New South Wales-ACT, Victoria 1 and Victoria 2.
On Friday, Queensland Country plays Western Australia and South Australia.
Saturday is a rest day and the play-offs start on Sunday. The draw will be determined by results in the first five rounds.
Iles has patiently waited for the opportunity.
"Now it is here, I will take it with both hands," he said.
An All Australian Country honour team will be named after the carnival but Iles is not building his hopes up too much.
"I am just looking forward to heading down south and playing footy," he said.
"I will be aiming for the Australian team but just have to concentrate on good decision-making with the use of the ball."
The national carnival is held every two years, and Iles knows he must make the most of the opportunity.
He did not want to individually name all those involved on his road to Queensland Country selection for fear of leaving someone out
"My family and partner Tina have supported me a lot down the years," Iles said. "I am proud to be the first Redbacks player to reach this level."
Iles will miss a Redbacks game in the Darling Downs competition for the first time this season, the clash against Highfields at Highfields on Saturday.
"It is important we come away with a win against Highfields after losing to them early in the season," he said.
"Redbacks players will need to stand up for the big game this weekend."
Iles has won the Holman Medal for fairest and best in Darling Downs Aussie rules for the past three years, sharing one of the wins with Jeff Neumann.
Last Modified on 05/08/2012 18:07
