Every club has the senior players that are always talked about around junior footballers, the likes of Iles at Warwick, Driese at Coolaroo and Leahy at the Hawks.
But who is the next group of players, ready to take the reins of your club.
We have done the research and found the player at your club who has taken the next step this season and playing a pivotal role week in, week out.
Chinchilla SUNS
Jye Hartwig - At only 18 years of age, this up and coming star will play an important role as the second year club looks to climb the Division 2 ladder. With 22 games under his belt in only two seasons of footy, this young star has featured regularly among the SUNS best. One of the favourites for the SUNS club best and fairest, Hartwig is known for his defensive acts. The motocross loving Chinchilla local will no doubt be a part of the SUNS rise in the west and is their next big star outside of Muir and Percival.
Coolaroo
Adam Green - Another player who has been turning heads and getting particular match ups every week, the Roo's 19-year old goal sneak is a key to long term success at Gold Park. With 54 games in the navy blue, Green has found is niche slotting goals weekly from everywhere. He is the leading goal-kicker at Coolaroo and currently sits fourth in the Division 1 leader board. Green will no doubt look to add another string to his bow and look to move up the field further but for now he may just be the key to back to back division 1 titles
Dalby Swans
Brandon Peltz - His family name is embedded deep in the Swans history and young Brendon holds the key to the Swans claiming a second ever premiership and the red and whites claim for a division 1 spot in a few years. Peltz is quick, agile and loves sending the sherrin inside fifty. He is the ultimate team player and a potential future leader of the Swans.
Goondiwindi Hawks
Alex McNaughton - At just 18 years of age, he already has 40 senior games under his belt and is playing an important role across half back and through the middle. McNaughton will play a key in the Hawks push for an 8th premiership and their first since 2000. The former Illawarra junior now Hawk, has superb work-rate and awareness. With the likes of O'Toole, Jardine and Leahy the house hold names; it won't be long before young Alex is the Hawk everyone talks about.
Highfields Lions
Trent Masters - He is one of the older next generation players on the list but at the young age of 20, young Masters has a big career ahead of him. Playing as a key forward in a majority of his 36 senior games at Highfields, Masters is just what Highfields need. Though 2014 has seen Trent play a more defensive role but he is at his most damaging inside forward fifty. He has shown over his first two seasons that his overhead grab is one of the best at Kratzke Oval and Trent may just be the player that Highfields need to master their maiden premiership campaign.
Lockyer Valley Demons
Sam Hegarty - In only his second season with the Dee's the under 18 Darling Downs Crows former premiership defender holds the key to getting the balance right at Cahill Park. At 22 he is the oldest of the 'next generation' group, with his natural leadership and ability to be a calming influence on-field he is the key to get the Lockyer Valley engine going. No doubt he would be leadership contentions sooner rather than later and his ability to have players follow his actions may just what his side needs if they are to reach the heights 1985 and 1993 seasons. Get use to the Hegarty name come Holman nights.
South Burnett Saints
Ty Snow - Those who follow the northern Saints closely would of heard this young man’s name quite a lot. The teenager averages two goals a game across his 20 game career with the Saints, but the former Kingaroy Jets junior is a key for long term success at Lyle Vidler. Leading the Saints goal-kicking, Snow who predominately plays through the midfield, loves pushing forward and kicking goals. His pace and work rate is what stands out and has the potential to captain the Saints by time he reaches his early 20's. Stay tuned because Snow for the Saints will be known.
South Toowoomba Bombers
Tasman Myles - A player who at times has been quite erratic but has turned it around in 2014. The former representative captain at junior level has taken his game to the next level and helped the Bombers reach another level in 2014. His ball winning ability inside the contest is first class and his usage is miles better this year. He may not get the accolades of the Bombers stars but he is one of the ultimate team players and has potential to lead South Toowoomba in future years.
Toowoomba Tigers
Michael Bailey - Having already played 70 games in the black and yellow, Bailey is a 22 year old who is a three time premiership player. Bailey has a long career ahead of him and potential to reach 200 career games for the Tigers but if Toowoomba are to reach the heights of 10,11 and 12, then Bailey will play an important role. This year he has stepped up his leadership and taken younger players like Turner, Higgins and co under his wing and helping their development. Everyone will be hearing more about Bailey in the coming years, who else at 22 has three senior premierships under their belt?
University Cougars
Connor Pyke - After winning the Marge Shaw Trophy (division 2 best and fairest) in 2012, Pyke has taken his game to a more consistent level now. A key in the Cougars division 1 side and flag aspirations, the quick, agile and aggressive Pyke has increased his out-put his premiership hopeful Cougars. It is hard to imagine that he only has 22 senior games under his belt but this former basketballer will be the name in the spot lights after Gniel and Reilly.
Warwick Redback's
James McKendry - Whenever the Redback's are mentioned names like Iles, Cutmore, and Millard come to mind but the 17 year old from Eastern Football League down south, will take that mantle. The hard running outside midfielder who boasts plenty of pace, is not only playing an important role in the Reddies push for the first ever premiership this season but will be pivotal in the Redback's push for long term success. Move over Iles, a young spider is on the rise.
The views in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of AFL Darling Downs, the clubs mentioned or players.
Last Modified on 23/07/2014 12:53
