PLACE Preview - Colts back at the nest in 2016
Andrew Thomson
The boys are back in town!
Magpies U/19 Colts return
After having a transition year in 2015 where the club chose to bypass the new u/19's competition, the Magpies’ Colts are back for the 2016 season. The 2015 transition was successful for the young Magpie brigade, with the the U/17 side winning the Division 1 Undefeated Premiership and a fleet of youngsters tasted Senior footy both through the Reserves program and in the Senior QAFL side.
The club's new facilities, clear development pathway, and exciting young senior list has attracted quality young footballers from as far away as Townsville & Hervey Bay. With many ex-junior Magpies coming back to the nest after a year or two away and combining with the graduating Under 17's from last year, it means the club can confidently re-enter the Colts competition for 2016.
The Colts competition is made up of a single division 19 team 16 round season. It's a new concept with a weighted draw as the 19 teams are divided into 4 zones. It's all a bit too detailed to attempt to explain here, but it means that the Magpies will play 11 games against the same QAFL clubs as the senior teams, and 5 other games against a selection of the other sides based in Sth East Queensland.
Our squad is shaping up nicely, with 2 clear objectives:
(1) providing the development pathway for our youth footy graduates to transition into the senior football and;
(2) provide a footballing home for our lads who still want to compete at the best available standard without the need to push up into the more elite seniors program.
This is also the goal of the AFLQ for this competition-to keep these young men in the game who otherwise would be lost to football. The under 19s will also be mentored by Senior Coach Glenn Humphrey and Development Coach Quentin Johnson to ensure the pathway to senior football is as smooth as possible for all player seeking to make that transition.
The club is very excited by the potential within this group with some of the Colts seeking to earn senior debuts this season such as Lachie Dennis, Jake Farrell, & Charlie Pershouse. It's our hope they will be joined by Big Alex Devilla and John Mason when they return from long term knee injuries and along with a strong band of mid sized running players, could see them join Sam Copland , Riley Easton & Matt Mazarolle as Colts who are making an impact at Senior level.
The coaching group includes last year’s Under 17's premiership coach, Justin Gore, who will be joined by the vastly experienced and successful Craig Allen as midfield and stoppage coach.
The club has given a coaching debut to club stalwart Warren Vine, who will bring his knowledge gained from a long and varied playing career including stints at Under 19's and Reserves level with Port Adelaide Magpies , and Senior experience in South Australian A1 Amateurs and also country football in South Australia. Warren will be working with our defence and teaching the same structures used by the senior squad. We plan on adding 1 more quality development coach to this group soon.
The colts are still on the lookout for a TEAM MANAGER to join this exciting group. If you have read this far, you are the type of person we need for that job. Please put your hand up and help us provide the best possible off field support for these lads and they will repay you and us all with a season to remember ...of that the club is absolutely certain.