Varsity Times Vol. 19 - 2021

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I have heard it said that successful sporting clubs striving for success with
great talent, a great game plan, great culture, great coaches, and great
organisational structure still need wins throughout the journey to reinforce
to those involved that they are on the right path. 2021 has been a year of
small and large wins that have given us this reinforcement.
This award’s season our coaches, players and teams have been recognised
by AFLQ more than in any other year in recent history. 3 of our 5 teams
Presidents address - 1
Thank you Sponsors- 2
QAFLW - 3
QFA Div 1 - 4
QAFLW Dev - 5,6
QFA Div 1 Reserves - 7
QFA Div 4 - 8
Award winners - 9
In this edition:
THE VARSITY TIMES
Weekly newsletter of UQAFC
S E P T 2 9 . | V O L 1 9 - 2 0 2 1
2021 Season Presidents Wrap Up
the quantity and quality of the individuals who have put their hand up to take committee
roles to lead the Club,
the quality of individuals and leaders that we welcomed as senior coaches,
the quantity and quality of assistant coaches and support staff who have joined our Club,
the patronage and enjoyment experienced at club events and club days,
the reconnection and involvement of 65 years of proud past players,
the welcoming back, welcoming on board and perpetuation of our Key, Major and
Community sponsors,
the quality of organisations we have partnered with to lift club standards, and
the relationship we have built with the University and the support we have received to
facilitate positive outcomes.
played in final campaigns and our QAFLW Senior team won the 2021 Premiership in dominant
fashion. These are the public successes that we celebrate; they reinforce that on the field we are
on the right path at UQAFC. However, from a committee perspective the successes, or as I like
to call them ‘marginal gains’, off the field that reinforce our efforts are:
It has been a great year for our committee in realising a number of these goals and as the Club
transitions to new leadership in 2022 the above items, coupled with our on-field growth, make
me sure it will be an even better year. President : Nicholas Kent

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UQAFC would like to thank our incredible sponsors for their support in 2021. Without
their generous contributions, 2021 would not have been the highly successful year it was!
A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS!
First and foremost, we would like to
thank our Key Sponsor, the Royal
Exchange Hotel whose continued support
and wonderful hospitality has been key to
our success this year. Whether it has been
hosting an event, post-training feed, or
post-game celebration, we have loved
having the support of every student's
favourite venue: the RE!
Key Sponsor
Major Sponsors
Thank you to Ballistic for
their renewed support in
2021, highlighted by the
debut of Red Lion Lager!
Queensland Country Bank
once again continued their
longstanding support of
community sport in UQAFC
Tactile Systems Australia
also continued their
incredible support of
UQAFC this year!
Community Sponsors
A special thank you also to all of our new and
continuing community sponsors for their
support this year!

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2021 QAFLW COACHES RECAP
Credit: michael glass, odyssey images
How would you describe the 2021 season
in just a sentence?
It was an incredibly satisfying year where
the planning, training and on-field
commitment were rewarded with the
ultimate success.
What were your expectations going into
this season?
To create a really positive environment and
a competitive list that would play finals
footy.
What was your highlight/most memorable
moment of the 2021 season?
Hard to go past winning a premiership but
seeing the growth and development in so
many people (players and coaches) was
amazing.
What was your biggest challenge in 2021?
Building positive relationships with as many
people as quickly as possible.
What did it mean to be a part of UQAFC
this year?
It was fantastic to join a club I'd heard so
many positive things about. The club has an
awesome vibe and is lucky to have so many
quality people all committed to making it
even better.
What gets you most excited about the 2022
season?
Taking another step to create an even more
positive, enriching environment that helps
players reach their potential and as a
program can't wait to show that 2022 was
only the beginning.
Which players should we keep an eye on
in 2022?
Can't wait to see our younger players take
another positive step (Lauren Middleton,
Ava Seton, Jaimie Bryant and Sacha Rival-
Quinn) and I think Jane Childes was
incredibly unlucky to miss out on the team
of the year and should receive the
recognition she deserves in 2022.
Any other comments?
Just a massive thank you to everyone who
made me feel so welcome at my new club
this year!
QAFLW Head Coach: Ross Clayfield

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How would you describe the 2021 season
in just a sentence?
The season was a real success for the men's
division 1 program, particularly in the
numbers that committed to a full season
and turn around in results from previous
years.
What were your expectations going into
this season?
That it would be harder to get the buy in
than it was, that we needed to build a list to
become competitive for longer in games,
and finally give ourselves an outside chance
of playing finals footy. So for those reason
my expectations were met and exceeded.
What was your highlight/most memorable
moment of the 2021 season?
The win against Caloundra up there, when
we absolutely needed it. That was progress
and a proud moment.
What was your biggest challenge in 2021?
Lifting the training standards as the year
went on and keeping players switched on
for longer in games.
What did it mean to be a part of UQAFC
this year?
I loved being back, it was like I had never
left and that was completely down to the
players and volunteers that were involved
this year.
What gets you most excited about the 2022
season?
Keeping the current playing list, adding to it
and knowing that our starting point is so
much more advanced than last year. We
only played 12 games together and beat
both teams that played in the grand final,
how we will play with another 12 games
together under our belt?
Which players should we keep an eye on
in 2022?
I see huge improvement and more potential
in - Michael Randone, Lachlan Best, Sid
Rajesh, Aaron Ashby, Jake Turner. Tommy
Bennett and Cam Smith. Along with a raft
of potential recruits that are on their way.
Any other comments?
One of the key things I wanted to focus on
this year was to build an environment
surrounded by good people that were there
because they wanted to be, not because they
had to be. We have a terrific group of men
as part of our squad and that will take us a
long way next year.
2021 QFA DIV 1 - SENIORS COACHES RECAP
Credit: michael glass, odyssey images
QFA Div 1 Head Coach:
Tim Mackinley

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How would you describe the 2021 season
in just a sentence?
This season's success was beyond my
dreams on one hand, but so well deserved
on the other - hard work and great team
culture has delivered great results.
What were your expectations going into
this season?
After a couple of tough seasons in 2019 and
2020, I really just wanted us to be
competitive and make sure we were 'in'
games right into the 4th quarter. Of course,
getting a few wins would be important, but
showing the competition that they would
have to earn wins against us was really
important to me.
What was your highlight/most memorable
moment of the 2021 season?
There are so many great moments in 2021,
a great start to the season, making finals, but
my favourite moment was our fighting win
against Coorparoo in round 4. We came
from behind at half time to get in front and
hung on in a gripping last quarter, holding
the eventual Grand Finalists goalless in the
second half. I really felt after that win that
we'd arrived as a force to be reckoned with.
What was your biggest challenge in 2021?
We had to make some hard decisions this
year and some players that had been part of
our program in previous years were no
longer able to fit on our list. It was tough on
those individuals, but hard for the team as a
whole. Ultimately though, as we strive for
success we need to pick the best team
possible every week.
What did it mean to be a part of UQAFC
this year?
This was my fifth year as part of the
Development / Reserves program at UQ. It
was really rewarding to see us putting
together some fantastic results on the field.
I love how this club continues to give me
opportunities that I never would have had
without Women's AFL football. It means a
lot to me to lead this group of young
women and show them that there is we can
achieve great things together if we all 'buy
in'
What gets you most excited about the 2022
season?
I think that we can take an extra step in
2022 with the core of a great team we put
on the paddock this year. Add to that some
of the players that will age out of the U17
competition from Wests and Jindalee, I'm
really excited for next season.
2021 QAFLW DEV COACHES RECAP
Credit: michael glass, odyssey images

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Which players should we keep an eye on in 2022?
From this year's squad I'm looking forward to seeing some of our first year players really
kick on next year. I think netball convert Jacqui Russell will benefit from a year of learning
our game. Ella Desrettes was great this year in a largely behind the ball role. She has good
skills and uses her body well. Alyssa Beasley has great potential as a marking forward and
Belinda White was really coming into her own when her season was cut short with injury.
Annelise Crilly was ever reliable at halfback and pushing into the midfield particularly
when defensive intent was needed. We can’t forget the Development League best and
fairest Louise Tyson who provided great drive out of the middle.
Any other comments?
I want to pay tribute to the whole coaching group. The support I get from Ross, Luke, Daz
and Ronan was nothing short of amazing. Jules in her role of looking after player welfare
was key. Having John run the interchanges on gameday was pivotal to me being able to
focus on the player messaging
2021 QAFLW DEV COACHES RECAP CONT.
Credit: michael glass, odyssey images
QAFLW Dev Head Coach: Rob Wiggan

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2021 QFA DIV 1 - RESERVES COACHES RECAP
Credit: michael glass, odyssey images
How would you describe the 2021 season
in just a sentence?
An unfortunate end to an extremely
promising campaign.
What were your expectations going into
this season?
For the team to get better from where we
started compared to where we finished. We
delivered that in spades.
What was your highlight/most memorable
moment of the 2021 season?
Win away at Beenleigh. Four quarter team
performance that put us on track to play
finals. Even if Covid took that away from us.
What was your biggest challenge in 2021?
Not picking players who deserved to play
games of football. Best challenge to have as
a football coach but incredibly difficult to
do.
What did it mean to be a part of UQAFC
this year?
Was awesome. The best the club has felt in
my four years here. First time I felt the
mens teams were better at the end of the
season than the start.
What gets you most excited about the 2022
season?
Expectation. We know how good we have to
be and can realistically expect to be there at
the end of the season.
Which players should we keep an eye on
in 2022?
Who not to look out for? Bunch of young
guys who are only going to get better. Look
out for Wadsworth, Somerville, Best, Bolton
and M Wester to take big steps.
Any other comments?
Congratulations to the committee,
volunteers and players for making this such
a great season for the club particularly in
the women's program. From top to bottom
this has been a hugely successful year and I
could not be happier to be apart of it.
QFA Div 1 Reserves Head Coach:
Alexander Binks

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2021 QFA DIV 4 COACHES RECAP
Credit: michael glass, odyssey images
How would you describe the 2021 season
in just a sentence?
Great start to the season then covid
restrictions let us down when we were on a
roll
What were your expectations going into
this season?
To win the flag is always the ultimate but I
though a pass mark in the year would of
been to make the 2nd week of finals
What was your highlight/most memorable
moment of the 2021 season?
Definitely our win up the coast against
north shore they got us early on the year
and to make the long trip on a wet Friday
night and play 4 full quarters of footy, it was
a huge effort from the boys. Also, the hill
for the QAFLW grand final was awesome.
What was your biggest challenge in 2021?
The uncertainty of what was next we had a
few breaks in the year which was hard for
the players to keep motivated and also
myself.
What did it mean to be a part of UQAFC
this year?
The opportunity to work along side a great
organisation with a proud history finally the
results are coming!.
What gets you most excited about the 2022
season?
A new breed of talent and now we have the
expectations to be competitive.
Which players should we keep an eye on
in 2022?
We have a few to many to name but I think
we have just got another Labrom to the line
up which would make 3 brothers playing in
the same team which is exciting.
Any other comments?
Just a big thank you to all who is involved in
the club I have never felt so welcomed to a
group and the support network is just
unreal. Also to Pablo my team manager I
don’t think we could of done this year
without him.
QFA Div 4 Head Coach: Alan 'Woody'
Woodward

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AFLQ END OF YEAR AWARDS
To top off one of the most successful years in the club's history, our Red Lion and
Lionesses have dominated the end of season awards across the board. Congratulations to
the following players and coaches on their achievements this year!
QAFLW
QFA DIV 1
QFA DIV 1 LEAGUE
BEST AND FAIREST
QFA DIV 1 LEAGUE
LEADING GOAL KICKER
QAFLW
COACH OF THE YEAR
QAFLW DEV
BEST AND FAIREST
Jordan Williams Damian Ashby
Ross Clayfield Louise Tyson
QAFLW LEAGUE
RUNNER UP B&F
Nat Grider
QAFLW DEV
LEADING GOAL KICKER
Grace Brennan
QAFLW LEAGUE
TEAM OF THE YEAR:
Jessi Henning, Nat Grider, Megan Hunt, Luka
Yoshida-Martin, Madi Crowley-Long, Grace Brennan