AFL Mackay will be well represented at the 2015 AFL Queensland Under 14 State Academy Championships which kicks off this Sunday, September 20, at Fisherman's Road Sporting Complex, Maroochydore.
The region will be represented by six players and a coach, as Central Queensland open their campaign against Gold Coast North Sunday afternoon.
2015 Premiership players with the North Mackay Saints Jack Alexandrou, Harry Tass and Blake Jones will be joined by Leigh Sharrock Medalist Adam Fedor and Whitsunday duo Mitchell Healey and Lachlan Matthews. The boys will also have Under 14 Mackay Coach and All Australian masters player Gary Downes as head coach of Central Queensland.
Regional Manager Jeff Neumann will also accompany the boys to the Sunshine Coast, assisting with player development and wellbeing.
"We are well represented and the six boys all have important roles to play for Central Queensland," Neumann said.
"We (CQ) have the most difficult lead up to the championships of any team due to the landscape of our where our players are based, with players from Townsville down to Gladstone."
"Over the five day campaign we will Gold Coast North, Brisbane South East and Brisbane South West, our boys will play against quality opposition but I know we will be more than competitive," Neumann added.
The inaugural Under 14 Youth Girls State Championships will be held in conjunction with the boys' carnival, featuring teams from Brisbane South, Brisbane North, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
"We aren't represented in the Youth Girls State Championships but I guarantee we will do everything we can do put a team forward in 2016," Regional Manager Jeff Neumann added.
Both Championships are the first steps in a junior player's football development' preparing them for the next stage in their journey through the AFL Queensland Player Pathway.
MACKAY in Central Queensland
Jack Alexandrou - 58 career games with the North Mackay Saints and has kicked 14 goals. The silky left-footer has transformed into one of the most damaging half-back flankers this season and was named in the AFL Mackay Juniors team of the year in that very position. Alexandrou also had a stellar Grand-Final claiming both the premiership and best on ground honours.
Mitchell Healey - An impressive 113 games and 41 goals for the Whitsunday Sea Eagles, playing predominately in the midfielder. A very agile player, that is quick off the mark and can run all day. Finished equal 4th in the Leigh Sharrock Medal count and named on the wing in the AFL Mackay Juniors team of the year.
Harry Tass - Only early into his football career, after making his debut in season 2014 with the North Mackay Saints, Tass has played 26 matches and kicked 7 goals. Similar to Alexandrou, classy left-footer and sets up a lot of driver off the half-back flank. A very composed player and a natural leader, named in the back pocket in the AFL Mackay Juniors team of the year and a-part of the Saints Under 15 premiership win.
Blake Jones - An attacking midfielder, with superb pace and can just keeping running, 91 games for the North Mackay Saints and he cracked the triple figures this year with a total of 105 career goals. An outstanding season by the Gold Coast SUNS Academy member that included individual accolades such as Under 14 Representative player of the year, AFL Mackay Juniors team of the year (rover), Premiership with Saints Under 15's and finishing third in the Leigh Sharrock Medal count.
Adam Fedor - Took out back to back best and fairest wins, last year Under 13's and this year the Under 15 Leigh Sharrock Medal. Named at centre half-forward in the AFL Mackay Juniors team of the year but such is his versatility Fedor can play key position, midfield or hold down a defensive role. Played 58 games with the Mackay City Hawks since his debut in 2012 and kicked 66 goals. Fedor also received the 2015 Mackay coaches awarded the NQ Championships in Airlie Beach.
Lachlan Matthews - On the verge of playing his 50th club game and will need to wait until Round 1 to do so, with 49 matches and 13 goals to date for this young Whitsunday Sea Eagle. Plays mainly key position and can be utilised at any end of the ground. Named in the 2015 AFL Mackay Juniors team of the year in the forward pocket.
Under 14 State Academy Championships
Sunday September 20
Day 1 - Oval 1
Game 1 2.30pm Moreton Bay v Brisbane South East
Game 2 4.15pm Central Queensland v Gold Coast North
Game 3 6.00pm Sunshine Coast v Brisbane South West
Oval 2
Game 4 3.00pm Brisbane North v Gold Coast South
Game 5 4.45pm North Queensland Northern v PNG
Tuesday 22nd September
Day 2
Oval 1
Game 6 2.30pm PNG v Brisbane North
Game 7 4.15pm North Queensland Northern v Gold Coast South
Game 8 6.00pm Gold Coast North v Sunshine Coast
Oval 2
Game 9 3.00pm Brisbane South West v Moreton Bay
Game 10 4.45pm Central Queensland v Brisbane South East
Thursday 24th September
Day 3
Game 11 9.00am North Queensland Northern v Brisbane North
Game 12 10.30am Sunshine Coast v Brisbane South East
Game 13 12.00noon PNG v Gold Coast North
Oval 2
Game 14 9.30am Central Queensland v Brisbane South West
Game 15 11.00am Moreton Bay v Gold Coast South
Last Modified on 19/10/2015 11:44