The final instalment of the McDonald's Juniors, Tuesday talking points.
Check out what the entire competition is talking about as the home and away season comes to an end and the much anticipated final series kicks off.
1. Griggs is a SUN on the rise in the west. His side may have only won the one game this season but Daniel Griggs of the Chinchilla SUNS has had a fantastic season and should be the stand out SUN come vote count night on September 12th.
2. Season 2013 was the year of the Roo, particular across all junior competitions with the navy Roo's taking out all three junior premiership cups. Unfortunately their McDonald's Trophy side won't appear this year but the reigning premiers are again in the hunt for the flag with their Under 16 and Under 14 sides looking to go deep into September once again.
3. The red and white are a force to watch come finals and in particular in attack. The Dalby Swans under 14 side are the number 1 attacking side across all three McDonald's junior competitions. Dalby are averaging an impressive 108.5 points per game. With 9 players across their playing list in the double digits for goals kicked and 4 with 24 or more, whoever play the Swans better be accountable.
4. Goondiwindi have a future female football star in Felicity Ash. At just 13 years of age 'Flick' was named last week in the inaugural Under 17 youth girls representative side for the region. With just 12 games of club AFL to date, Felicity has been likened to Western Bulldogs AFC women's star Lauren Arnell. Watch this space.
5. Highfields Lions star Under 16 centre half-forward Thomas Clark is a goal-kicking machine. Clark finished with an impressive tally of 72 goals for the season, the most across all AFL Darling Downs competitions, junior and senior. The most impressive feat for Tom is that he kicked those 72 goals in just 11-games this, averaging 6.5 goals a game. It won't until this young star is dominating up forward for the Lions in Division 1. At just 15, Clark is one to watch for the future.
6. The Demons have a long term prospect. Their Under 12 star forward Ethan Shipston is one the Demons will want to keep in the Lockyer Valley for seasons to come. He is a natural forward and his ability to push up the ground as a link player is fantastic for a player so young. Shipston has been on of the driving forces behind the Lockyer Valley Demons playing finals in the McDonald's Shield and if you want to see one of the hardest working forwards in front of goals, make sure you get to see Shipston in action.
7. South Burnett are marching towards something special with their Under 14's. They have a lot of quality players and none more so have been talked about than Keegan Wright. However, a trio of stars haven't been rewarded for their ever consistent efforts this season. Amos Hicks, Christopher Janz and Lleyton Brown were fantastic this season and should feature regularly when the McDonald's Shield votes are read out in September.
8. The Bombers are well known for their outstanding results with their women's side and well South Toowoomba are continuing to build for the future with a trio of female footballers having standout seasons in the McDonald's Trophy. They only may be 12 years and under this season but Maddie Woodal, Emma Holmes and Rowan Brady are three youth girls who will be the talk of female football for many years to come. All three have help secure the Bombers second place finish and the all-important double chance come finals.
9. Young Tiger, Aiden Edwards knows when to roar. Round 17 and Edwards was sitting on an impressive 34 goals for the season and sitting around 8th on the Under 14 goal-kicking leader board. However, Edwards booted a career best 16-goal haul against Goondiwindi to storm to the top of the goal-kicking leader board. Edwards also joined former Carlton and Brisbane Lions forward Brendan Fevola who kicked 16-goals over the weekend.
10. It may have not been the most successful season, with just one win for the year but the University Cougars Under 16 side have taken massive steps forward. With over 80% of the side coming from a multicultural background and not played Australian Rules before the season start, they were able to go from massive defeats to testing the final bound sides. However, they did achieve the lost key to football and that was the enjoyment, they brought back the fun and by the truck load.
11. Warwick has labelled the very young Alex Phyland as a player to watch and rightfully so. With 29 games for the Redback's so far in his three year career, Phyland played up in the Under 12's for the first time in Round 18 fixture against the Bombers. Phyland is well-balanced and quite skilful for his age; keep an eye out for 'AP'.
Last Modified on 29/08/2014 10:55
