AFLDD Media review the season of each of the regions clubs, reviewing the season that was including the club highlights and key moments throughout 2013.
Highfields AFC is tenth on the review system and with a successful junior season, the club is looking to 2014 to build their reputation as a fierce competitor in the AFLDD League.
The Lions year opened with a very special visit from the club’s namesake. A number of the Brisbane Lions players ventured to the Highfields based club for the annual sign on day, to meet the fans, the young players, and to run a coaching session. The day was a success and its evident from the success of the juniors that the young lions coaching session very seriously.
Highfields posted great numbers across all ages groups this year, with their numbers at Auskick, U8 and U10 level some of the highest in the region.
The U12 side had an exceptional season. Opening with a forfeit and two big wins over Toowoomba East Stingers and Lockyer Valley Demons, the young cubs had plenty to roar about. They maintained a very high level of footy to come away with 2nd place at the end of the regular season.
The side made light work of the Redbacks in the qualifying final, winning 12.4.76 1.4.10. It was the major semi final where the young side was brought undone, losing to eventual winners Coolaroo 10.3.63 to 1.5.11. The side couldn’t back this loss up, losing the prelimary final to Dalby 8.3.51 to 4.3.27. Queensland Country representative Lachlan Davies had an outstanding season, finishing B&F for the U12 Lions.
Highfields’ U14 team also had a memorable season, with plenty to cheer about. The side lost just 2 games throughout their season, and posted some massive wins to the tune of 104, , 101, 190, 115 and 88 points. They also boasted a 74 point win over minor premiers and eventual champions Coolaroo. Come finals time, the U14 side was sitting in 2nd place on 52 points.
The side continued their style of winning big against Dalby in the qualifying final, coming out 82 point victors. The Lions came out swinging in the Semi Final against Coolaroo but couldn’t connect, going down by 6 points. The boys and girls’ came back the following week, eager to redeem themselves, but after an agonising 4 quarters of footy, went down to miss out on the Grand Final by 3 points.
The U16 side didn’t have the same success that its younger peers found in 2013. The team struggled for a lot of the season, often falling just short of the highly sought after win. However, the Lions showed their never say attitude and won all 3 of the last 3 games they played. Although it might not have been the season they planned on having, the young Lions certainly learnt how hard work will pay off, as long as you get up every time you’re knocked down.
The senior A grade side’s plans didn’t quite work out in 2013 either.
With a tough start to the season, it would have been easy for the Lions to bow out of the competition. But as spectators have come to understand, the Lions would never do such a thing. The side banded together and their camaraderie translated to wins as the Lions overcame Lockyer Valley, Chinchilla, South Burnett and most memorably, South Toowoomba. The side came away with one more win for the season, defeating Chinchilla 19.2.116 to 7.13.55 to finish 8th on the table 16 points away from the top five.
With plenty of lessons learnt this season, its back to the drawing board for the Highfields club, before they can roar once more in 2014.
Last Modified on 16/12/2013 10:11
