WOW, South Queensland have finally broken the "Hosting Team Hoodoo" that has plagued them & North Queensland for the last four years. Becoming the first home side to taste victory, was as sweet as being the first side to win the annual contest three straight times.
I was fortunate enough to be involved again together with the majority of the off field staff, including the well credentialed former St Kilda & Brisbane AFL player & South Queensland head coach, Danny "Chippa" Craven.
This wasn't the case in the playing stocks though with the team containing only four playing members of last years' winning squad, which placed a higher responsibility on the younger core for South Queensland… Enter, Bay Powers' Matty Schlein!
Matt started on the bench & had to wait 8 minutes for his opportunity to play on the far wing within his rotation, but wasted no time having an immediate impact forward as well as pressure acts & intercept marks in defence. S.Q. had the better of their northern rivals & led 1. 4 - 10 to 0 at qtr time.
N.Q. seemed to shake their "Jetlag" at the start of the 2nd qtr, gaining a host of opportunities inside 50 with their former AFL contingent of Aaron Davey (Melbourne Demons) & Brett Meredith (Sydney Swans) combining for N.Q.'s first goal, before the southerners gained the lead back going into the main break thanks to great goals from Schlein & Maroochydore's' Josh Filo. SQ 3. 4 -22 to NQ 2. 2- 14
At half time, Coach Craven singled out Schlein, "as one of the best players in the first half. We want you to start on the ground this next quarter like you finished the last".
Matty again played his role well in the 2nd half & seemed to relish the space on the wing, where he could use his "footy smarts".
Both teams went goal for goal until mid-way through the final term when former Brisbane Lions player, Rhan Hooper, kicked truly from a set shot to give the Southerners the momentum & ultimately the win, 8. 7- 55 to 6. 6 - 42
Coach, "Chippa" Craven further praised Schlein in his post-game players address, describing him as "one out of the box".
The quietly spoken, mild mannered 19 year old Schlein was certainly a popular figure amongst his peers post-game.
Matty said he has greatly benefited as a footballer & a person from the rep program experience and will take this back to Bay Power where everyone will benefit as a club.
AFLQ Senior Football Operations Manager, Barry Gibson said “That’s what this program is all about. Sure, someone has to win and someone has to lose but it’s about connecting people. We bring a lot of people from a lot of regions to play so the logistics of this program are challenging, but I think everyone did a fantastic job.”
"WELL DONE MATTY". You represented your family, club & region with integrity, pride & respect.
Yours in Footy,
Mark Mason.
Last Modified on 28/01/2019 12:51