Trent Slatter | Toowoomba Chronicle
Photo By Kevin Farmer
HIGHFIELDS has kicked the first goal of the 2014 AFL Darling Downs season after recruiting premiership-winning forward Miels Grice from Coolaroo.
Grice will take over as head coach of the Lions while also providing some much-needed attacking spark as a player - he was second highest goal-scorer in the league last season with 106.
It is a valuable pick-up for Highfields, with the club still searching for its maiden AFLDD finals appearance since joining the competition in 2010.
Grice said it was a big decision to leave Coolaroo after winning the flag last season but he was ready for a new challenge.
"I thought it was the right time. I'm really excited about the opportunity," he said.
"I've played all my footy with Coolaroo since I moved up to Queensland from Tasmania and I've won a couple of premierships with them.
"It is a big decision (but) it's a good thing for myself to move forward in my football and coaching."
Grice held his first training session this week and he said the early signs were positive, with the most players at pre-season run in the club's history.
He was coy as to whether any of his Coolaroo team mates will join him at Highfields but said he was excited about the season ahead.
"Hopefully I can add a bit of my experience and playing knowledge," Grice said.
Club captain Ben Adams will stay on as assistant coach and he said it was a great move for the club to lure an experienced player like Grice to Highfields.
"We're happy to get a guy of his position in the league. He's fairly well known," Adams said.
"He brings a bit of experience and hopefully he'll bring a few other players across with him."
Last Modified on 21/02/2014 09:02
