Day one of the AFL Queensland Kooga Under 14 State Championships produced some nail biting games of AFL action on the Sunshine Coast.
Hosted at Fishermans Road, Maroochydore game one kicked off with Papua New Guinea taking on the Suncoast Power.
Missing eight players who were caught up in customs at the international airport, PNG borrowed players from the Raiders and Power camp to even up the numbers.
In overcast, damp conditions the boys from PNG certainly gave the Power a run for their money producing a great game of footy with tremendous athletic capability.
The Power ran out winners 8.2.50 to 5.6.36.
Suncoast Power Coach, Tristan Scott said the Power boys may have been lucky but they certainly deserved the win.
“Playing against PNG was a great learning experience for the boys, to play against athletes that are so strong and nimble,” Scott said.
“We lost our way a bit in patches but looked dangerous with the ball once we got going with more confidence.”
The best match of the day was fought out in game two when the Northern Raiders took on Gold Coast South.
It was a tight contest the entire match which was reflected in the scores, all tied up at the final siren.
Playing five minutes each way both teams gave their all with the Gold Coast Stingrays kicking the winning goal to take the match, 9.6.60 to 8.6.54.
Stingrays Coach, Peter Hill was impressed with the performance of both sides digging deep in trying circumstances to produce some quality AFL action.
“It was really pleasing to see the boys keeping their heads up and tackling hard even when they may have been down on the score board,” Hill said.
In game three the Country Kookaburras were unlucky against the South Eastern Bushrangers in another close encounter.
The Bushies backline were put under constant pressure in the last half with a persistent Kookaburras outfit streaming forward.
Bushie ran out three point winners, 7.6.48 to 6.9.45.
The final game of the day saw Gold Coast North take on the Western Taipans in a one sided affair, the Taipans too strong for the Stingrays.
The Taipans put in a massive first quarter and did not look back coming away with a 37 point victory, 8.11.59 to 3.4.22.
As a part of the Championships, AFL Queensland also provides players with education sessions to further promote and make players aware of numerous topical social subjects.
On day one all players attended an education session about social media and networking presented by Travis Warren from the Queensland State Under 18 coaching group.
Day two kicks off on Wednesday June 27 at Fishermans Road Maroochydore with the following games:
GAME FIVE
9am
Papua New Guinea Vs Northern Raiders
GAME SIX
10:30am
Country Kookaburras Vs Gold Coast North
GAME SEVEN
1:45pm
Suncoast Power Vs Gold Coast South
GAME EIGHT
3:15pm
South Eastern Bushrangers Vs Western Taipans
All players will also be taking part in an education session on day two with the topic of racial vilification run by AFL Queensland.
Last Modified on 27/08/2012 17:02