Brendan Bowers
AFL Wide Bay will be well represented in this weekend’s history-making intrastate games at Southport’s Fankhauser Reserve.
For the first time in the history of North Queensland v South Queensland program, both men and women will represent their region at a senior level.
The men have been going head to head since 2014, and the women now get the opportunity to create a rivalry for the ages.
Meanwhile, the South Queensland team will incorporate players from across South-East Queensland and the Darling Downs and Wide Bay regions.
Wide Bay will be represented by The Waves’ Scout Strong and Hervey Bay Bombers’ Kirsten Fuller in the women’s game, while Bay Power’s Matt Schlein and Brothers Bulldog’s Tristan Taylor will represent in the men’s game. Kyle Anderson has also been named as an emergency.
Mark Mason has been named as team manager for the men’s team.
“It is awesome for the region that we are being recognised. It will be fantastic to have the women involved for the first time,” Mason said.
He paid credit to all the female players who attended every training session for the squads.
“It was a great effort and showed their commitment to the program,” he said.
The women’s game starts at 2pm and the men’s at 4pm, with both games to be streamed live via clutch.tv. Game day entry is free.
South Queensland Women:
Grace Eden, Sandgate
Evie Long, Sandgate
Emily Bleney, Mt Gravatt
Emily McGregor, Burleigh
Ashlee Gould, Burleigh
Arianna Williams, Redcliffe
Melita Watts, Surfers Paradise
Jessica Watts, Surfers Paradise
Jekaya Lam, Surfers Paradise
Gracie Roy, Morningside
Eleanor Tuitahi, Morningside
Bella Freeman, Broadbeach
Bianca Lenarcic, Broadbeach
Holly Thompson, BroadBeach
Sophie Balcombe, Broadbeach
Jacinta Baldwick, Sherwood
Samara Mahoney, Sherwood
Jessica Davy, Moreton Bay
Chloe Crothers, South Toowoomba
Shaye Easton, Goondiwindi
Scout Strong, Across the Waves
Kirsten Fuller, Hervey Bay
South Queensland Men
Josh Keleher, Caloundra
Brad Kimberley, Caloundra
Dane Stewart, Caloundra
Max Jacobsen, Caloundra
Jacob Watson, Caloundra
Luca Mason, Caloundra
Jacob Knight, Hinterland
Dominic Kilworth, Hinterland
Jake Keeble, Springwood
Rowan Page, Springwood
Matt Preston-Smith, Springwood
Declun Goode, Beenleigh
Sean Goode, Beenleigh
Matthew Schlein, Bay Power
Jayden Smith, Coolaroo
Josh Earl, Coorparoo
Sam Holdna, Coorparoo
Shayle Korander, Coorparoo
Ben Hogan, Coorparoo
Tristan Taylor, Brothers Bulldogs
Deng Arok, Uni Cougars
Lachlan Nixon-Smith, Burleigh