QAFL 2025

[Carltonboppers]

Matty Gaul heading from Noosa to Maroochy - seems to be an assistant coach, anyone know the story?

 

[noosaboy]

Matty Gaul heading from Noosa to Maroochy - seems to be an assistant coach, anyone know the story?

Yeah took us by surprise a bit. Our new coach Darren Winter has contacted all the players and doesn’t get up here for 3 weeks so obviously Gaully couldn’t wait that long. He’ll be missed a tackling machine and a top bloke!
Any club but there!FM

 

[noosaboy]

Hearing Aspley are losing a heap of quality,three to Robinvale and the two Stacklebergs and Banks Smith to Trinity Beach. This FIFO thing is pretty prominent right now.

 

[LaggingBehind]

Hearing Aspley are losing a heap of quality,three to Robinvale and the two Stacklebergs and Banks Smith to Trinity Beach. This FIFO thing is pretty prominent right now.

Is it time to review the salary cap limits? Maybe a discount for QLD grown players to be retained? Something similar to player points concessions after a few years of loyal service to one particular club?

 

[stuyd1]

Is it time to review the salary cap limits? Maybe a discount for QLD grown players to be retained? Something similar to player points concessions after a few years of loyal service to one particular club

Dont think that will make much difference as at the end of the day these semi professional players enjoy proving themselves at lets say QAFL level and after a season or 2 or 2 plus realise its time I can make some good bucks in a easier comp thus they go for it ....has happened for years and will continue to occur

 

[sportsfan123]

Hearing Aspley are losing a heap of quality,three to Robinvale and the two Stacklebergs and Banks Smith to Trinity Beach. This FIFO thing is pretty prominent right now.

Probably the Perkins connection?

Also hearing Dawson isn’t locked in either.

Their QAFLW side are releasing signing posts but not much out of the men. Maybe waiting for the new coach to be announce first?

 

[Still Me]

Dont think that will make much difference as at the end of the day these semi professional players enjoy proving themselves at lets say QAFL level and after a season or 2 or 2 plus realise its time I can make some good bucks in a easier comp thus they go for it ....has happened for years and will continue to occur

Stu I understand it’s been going on for a while but I reckon next season it will start to impact the quality of our competition. Aspley look like losing 8+ players in one go from what I’m hearing. Probably 5-6 of their best players.

I think in past years it might have been that in total. This year could be 30-40 on top of any already doing it.

 

[stuyd1]

Stu I understand it’s been going on for a while but I reckon next season it will start to impact the quality of our competition. Aspley look like losing 8+ players in one go from what I’m hearing. Probably 5-6 of their best players.

I think in past years it might have been that in total. This year could be 30-40 on top of any already doing it.

Still Me ,,, to early to know the numbers until clearances hey ....and lets not forget the other side of the coin be it the number of good players / recruits coming into our comp from interstate

 

[daddydaicoss]

Hearing Aspley are losing a heap of quality,three to Robinvale and the two Stacklebergs and Banks Smith to Trinity Beach. This FIFO thing is pretty prominent right now.

You’ve got a good get in the Broady captain heading your way.

Guessing he has relocated up north, that’s a huge get

 

[Miller1971]

Stu I understand it’s been going on for a while but I reckon next season it will start to impact the quality of our competition. Aspley look like losing 8+ players in one go from what I’m hearing. Probably 5-6 of their best players.

I think in past years it might have been that in total. This year could be 30-40 on top of any already doing it.

Have to wonder wht sort of dud advice they are getting to head south?

If its for a bit of life experience etc, then thats great. If its to further their footy or get drafted, then not much evidence to support that pathway for a young Queenslander.

Who was the last young QLD kid to move interstate after their draft year and subsequently get picked up? I can't think of a single one of them.

However the likes of Kiddy Coleman, Bruce Reville, Samson Ryan and Patrick Snell all stayed on and are now on AFL lists. Even Harry Arnold got on a list following that path. Better off playing VFL for the Lions, Suns or Southport and if you are actually any good, you will get there. Too many kids blame the competition they are playing in, rather than jsut accepting that perhaps their best footy isn't AFL standard.

 

[LaggingBehind]

Have to wonder wht sort of dud advice they are getting to head south?

If its for a bit of life experience etc, then thats great. If its to further their footy or get drafted, then not much evidence to support that pathway for a young Queenslander.

Who was the last young QLD kid to move interstate after their draft year and subsequently get picked up? I can't think of a single one of them.

However the likes of Kiddy Coleman, Bruce Reville, Samson Ryan and Patrick Snell all stayed on and are now on AFL lists. Even Harry Arnold got on a list following that path. Better off playing VFL for the Lions, Suns or Southport and if you are actually any good, you will get there. Too many kids blame the competition they are playing in, rather than jsut accepting that perhaps their best footy isn't AFL standard.

Agree it’s not a pathway of draft ages. I think the ones doing it are a bit older and have accepted that the top level has passed them by but they’re wanting some cashies before they’re too old and/or commit fully their next trade/employment.

 

[Miller1971]

You'd surely wanting to be earning 4 or 5 times more to play down there to justify a move though?

Unless you are a tradie or a school teacher or a very transferable job, then it wouldn't be a great decision for your on field OR your off field career to moving to play in some country league for a few extra dollars.

Having said that, if its for a bit of fun, a good life experience and a bit of a change, then good luck to you.

But for football or professional career purposes, it doesn't make a heap of sense.

 

[stuyd1]

Have to wonder wht sort of dud advice they are getting to head south?

If its for a bit of life experience etc, then thats great. If its to further their footy or get drafted, then not much evidence to support that pathway for a young Queenslander.

Who was the last young QLD kid to move interstate after their draft year and subsequently get picked up? I can't think of a single one of them.

However the likes of Kiddy Coleman, Bruce Reville, Samson Ryan and Patrick Snell all stayed on and are now on AFL lists. Even Harry Arnold got on a list following that path. Better off playing VFL for the Lions, Suns or Southport and if you are actually any good, you will get there. Too many kids blame the competition they are playing in, rather than jsut accepting that perhaps their best footy isn't AFL standard.

Yes you are correct Still Me,
Its all about the match payments ...as simple as that

 

[Still Me]

Have to wonder wht sort of dud advice they are getting to head south?

If its for a bit of life experience etc, then thats great. If its to further their footy or get drafted, then not much evidence to support that pathway for a young Queenslander.

Who was the last young QLD kid to move interstate after their draft year and subsequently get picked up? I can't think of a single one of them.

However the likes of Kiddy Coleman, Bruce Reville, Samson Ryan and Patrick Snell all stayed on and are now on AFL lists. Even Harry Arnold got on a list following that path. Better off playing VFL for the Lions, Suns or Southport and if you are actually any good, you will get there. Too many kids blame the competition they are playing in, rather than jsut accepting that perhaps their best footy isn't AFL standard.

I would argue that there are more VFL opportunities in Melbourne with with 8 standalone clubs or AFL aligned plus the AFL sides looking to fill list spots. Suns only top up with very few local kids apart from academy kids and Lions probably have 6-8 spots after they also use their academy kids.

The exposure far greater with VFL providing most rookie spots into AFL last few years such as Mannagh, Banch, Young, Smart etc.

Think there has been something like 24 players drafted or rookie listed via VFL in last 2 years . So if you can’t get a look in up here it’s an obvious decision for most kids to play consistently at that level.

 

[carnthejets]

Probably the Perkins connection?

Also hearing Dawson isn’t locked in either.

Their QAFLW side are releasing signing posts but not much out of the men. Maybe waiting for the new coach to be announce first?

Presentation night this Saturday. May hear something then re new coach

 

[Miller1971]

I would argue that there are more VFL opportunities in Melbourne with with 8 standalone clubs or AFL aligned plus the AFL sides looking to fill list spots. Suns only top up with very few local kids apart from academy kids and Lions probably have 6-8 spots after they also use their academy kids.

The exposure far greater with VFL providing most rookie spots into AFL last few years such as Mannagh, Banch, Young, Smart etc.

Think there has been something like 24 players drafted or rookie listed via VFL in last 2 years . So if you can’t get a look in up here it’s an obvious decision for most kids to play consistently at that level.

Yep, but none of them were Queenslanders from either SANFL or Vic based VFL

But in the last 3 years 4 x Queenslanders have been picked up as over agers out of academy or VFL programs up here, plus another Victorian out of a QLD VFL side.

So for a kid coming through the QLD system, the best way to make it to the AFL appears to be to stay in Queensland, despite what many irresponsible people are telling these kids.

If its just about match payments, sure. But as I said, you would want the matchies to be a quantum of 4 or 5 times what they get up here to make it worth moving and potentially denting your non footy professional career depending on your vocation.

 

[LaggingBehind]

Yep, but none of them were Queenslanders from either SANFL or Vic based VFL

But in the last 3 years 4 x Queenslanders have been picked up as over agers out of academy or VFL programs up here, plus another Victorian out of a QLD VFL side.

So for a kid coming through the QLD system, the best way to make it to the AFL appears to be to stay in Queensland, despite what many irresponsible people are telling these kids.

If it’s just about match payments, sure. But as I said, you would want the matchies to be a quantum of 4 or 5 times what they get up here to make it worth moving and potentially denting your non footy professional career depending on your vocation.

It’s a shame that Aspley’s VFL tilt wasn’t underwritten by AFL (I know silly me considering the current Preston Bullants matter). It would have made another avenue for VFL for SEQ late bloomers.

 

[Thommo 42]

But in the last 3 years 4 x Queenslanders have been picked up as over agers out of academy or VFL programs up here

Reville & Arnold - who else??

I don't think anyone is looking at what their origin state is, 20+ have been rookied out of VFL - that's the only number that matters.

My view is that you'd want to dominate QAFL first before you head south for the SANFL or VFL, otherwise you're in for a shock....

 

[daddydaicoss]

So Aspley to miss the finals next year it’s sounding based on all these outs, fair to say?

 

[2010premier]

So Aspley to miss the finals next year it’s sounding based on all these outs, fair to say?

You’d still imagine they’d sneak in being a top 8 out of 13 and a couple clubs off the pace a bit.

But just shows how hard it is to stay up the top.

Interesting also to see if Redland now they got their flag if they are able to remain as motivated or will a few of their great loyal servants like Thomson Williams Malone Cameron and a couple others post 30 think about hanging them up now Carsey finished up too.

Wouldn’t be the worse way to go out if a couple are thinking that way

 

[daddydaicoss]

You’d still imagine they’d sneak in being a top 8 out of 13 and a couple clubs off the pace a bit.

But just shows how hard it is to stay up the top.

Interesting also to see if Redland now they got their flag if they are able to remain as motivated or will a few of their great loyal servants like Thomson Williams Malone Cameron and a couple others post 30 think about hanging them up now Carsey finished up too.

Wouldn’t be the worse way to go out if a couple are thinking that way

Migjt sound a bit overkill here but Redlands situation can turn worrying.

Their juniors absolutely have hit the skids, top teams in Div 3/4 in most age groups, colts haven’t been competitive in year (including winless seasons), ressies just scraped into finals.

Their top line is really really solid (best in the comp obviously), however beyond that club is in a bit of a worry.

Is this fair or am I overkilling it

 

[stuyd1]

Yep, but none of them were Queenslanders from either SANFL or Vic based VFL

But in the last 3 years 4 x Queenslanders have been picked up as over agers out of academy or VFL programs up here, plus another Victorian out of a QLD VFL side.

So for a kid coming through the QLD system, the best way to make it to the AFL appears to be to stay in Queensland, despite what many irresponsible people are telling these kids.

If its just about match payments, sure. But as I said, you would want the matchies to be a quantum of 4 or 5 times what they get up here to make it worth moving and potentially denting your non footy professional career depending on your vocation.

I feel the point is being missed here to some degree in reference to FIFO qafl players .Its not the younger ones so much ,its more the players 23 years old plus that are going for it

 

[stuyd1]

Migjt sound a bit overkill here but Redlands situation can turn worrying.

Their juniors absolutely have hit the skids, top teams in Div 3/4 in most age groups, colts haven’t been competitive in year (including winless seasons), ressies just scraped into finals.

Their top line is really really solid (best in the comp obviously), however beyond that club is in a bit of a worry.

Is this fair or am I overkilling it

I hear you ,,, possibly some issues but they are a very professional club .

 

[stuyd1]

This off season will be very interesting in player movement/ recruitment . Makes for a great 2026

 

[Still Me]

Yep, but none of them were Queenslanders from either SANFL or Vic based VFL

But in the last 3 years 4 x Queenslanders have been picked up as over agers out of academy or VFL programs up here, plus another Victorian out of a QLD VFL side.

So for a kid coming through the QLD system, the best way to make it to the AFL appears to be to stay in Queensland, despite what many irresponsible people are telling these kids.

If its just about match payments, sure. But as I said, you would want the matchies to be a quantum of 4 or 5 times what they get up here to make it worth moving and potentially denting your non footy professional career depending on your vocation.

It’s more about playing the highest level of footy you are capable of playing in my opinion. There is probably around 15-20 QLD kids playing VFL I Melbourne. There is now way they get that opportunity up here with limited chances. I agree another Brisbane based Team like Aspley would have been a great opportunity but once it well away the chances reduced for these kids.

I do agree with Thommo though you would want to be dominating or a very high level player at QAFL competition before even considering moving to Melbourne. A lot try and end up just playing local footy down there.