McCarthy Homes Major News - Return to Play Update

Late on Friday night 15 May, we received the latest concise update from the hardworking staff at AFLQ that gives the clearest indication to date of a return to play. It’s important to note that all announcements are subject to Government endorsement once these dates arrive.

This week we saw the announcement from the elite game of its planned roadmap to Return to Play. AFLQ are now in a position to be able to share more definitive plans in terms of what this means for Community Football in Queensland.  

Returning to play in a safe, hygienic, and controlled manner is paramount to the AFL. The safety and well being of participants is the number one priority. As such, the Return to Play strategy has been focused on ensuring clear endorsement of State Government and public health officials at every phase of return.

Each State Government is responsible for determining what level AFL football is at in their State and approving when we can transition from one stage to the next.  Formal announcements will be made by AFL Queensland to leagues and clubs when they receive official approval to transition into each stage. It is imperative that clubs and individuals do not move ahead of next stage and restrictions in place until formal approval is granted. Failure to adhere to directives and guidelines can put the entire process at risk.

The current state of play:

• From 15 May, Queensland will transition to Stage 1 on the roadmap towards easing restrictions. The State Government has confirmed that this means solo or pairs training can continue. Group or formal training cannot commence during Stage 1.

• The State Government has indicated a transition to Stage 2 from 12 June. Subject to Government endorsement, this will involve extending the training group size to 20 people, although non-contact training with strict protocols continues. 

• Pending further review, when the State Government moves to Stage 3 on 10 July and provides formal endorsement, AFLQ will provide further information on plans for return to competition, with hygiene and safety protocols firmly in place.

Communication will come once there is formal approval at each stage. Rest assured that the Sherwood Football Club is well prepared for each level and have plans in place should the transition from each stage to the next be a smooth one.

The primary focus for Stage 1 is preparing to return in a safe, well prepared and educated manner. In order for this return to training and competition to be successful and approved by State Government, it is essential that we all play our part in implanting the clear health and safety protocols across all parts of our game. Again, we reiterate that this cannot occur until Stage 2 training is permitted.

Whilst our focus remains on safety and education preparations in Stage 1, AFLQ have also produced a detailed framework of what the season may look like for Junior and Senior football based on Government timings, as we progress through from Stage 1 to Stage 2 and 3. We understand how important it is for Clubs to plan and prepare for  what a potential season could look like. We must reiterate however, this fixtures forecast cannot be guaranteed and is subject at any time to changing advice from the State Government.

In addition, an important part of this return to play process is the requirement of each Club to appoint a COVID Safety Officer that is responsible for ensuring these protocols are adhered to and participants can return to a prepared and safe environment. Sherwood Football Club have a number of exceptional candidates for this role and will announce an appointment before Stage 2 is implemented. Should you wish to register interest in this role, contact president@westernmagpies.com.au

We also strongly recommend all participants immediately download the COVID-SAFE App, to ensure we can quickly trace and manage any outbreaks in the community. We all have an important role to play in ensuring that not only football returns, but Australia returns safely towards a normal way of life. 

AFLQ have created an in depth section of their website relating specifically to what the season may look like for various levels. There is a significant amount of information to digest in this documentation and the link can be found HERE

Sherwood Football Club will spend time working through the available information before summarising it for our Magpie family in the next 10-14 days so it contains relevant information to our participants and volunteers.

The AFL have also provided a section on their website providing a suite of educational resources and COVID safety posters. The link for this can be found HERE

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we look forward with cautious optimism towards getting a season underway in due course.

Sherwood Football Club - AGM Report

While the action on the football field is on hold, the Sherwood Football Club needs to continue operating off the field and as a result, the AGM was held recently in March adhering to strict COVID Safe guidelines.

Andrew Thomson has been returned as President of Sherwood for his third year at the helm after the club's Annual General meeting held on 22 March, 2020 (just before the social distancing rules were tightened).

Thomson stressed the club was well placed to manage the Covid-19 shutdown with the club finances in a a strong position, and most major costs relating to football. So with no football, many costs are down to match the expected revenue losses.

Highlights of the meeting were the continued growth in participant numbers with the Football Department highlighting that the club has now had four senior mens teams for 15 consecutive seasons, the only club in Queensland to do so. The club is also looking forward to the return of Senior Women's Football in 2020, after pioneering female footy for many years.

Growth in junior participants also occurred with over 400 junior players registered at the club.

Other highlights were the upgrade of the oval to a first class playing surface, re-organisation of the Social Club with increased patronage through the club via innovative ideas and partnerships, consolidation of club sponsors to put the club in  a good financial position and the decision to revert the name of the senior section of the club to the traditional name of Sherwood, allowing the adoption of a " One Club" strategy with amalgamated media platforms for both the junior and senior sections of the club and a holistic one club approach.

Thomson thanked outgoing club Finance Director Martin Sinfield for his support for the past 3 years and Sinfield presented the financial reports which showed the club to be in a sound financial position, with revenue of $518k and expenditure of $503k. 

The Club's Board of Directors for the coming season is

President: Andrew Thomson 

Vice President & Director of Junior Football: Peter Radcliffe

Secretary: Gabriel McKinnon

Treasurer: Harry Marshall

General Director: Mitchell Merritt

General Director: David Green

Director of Governance: Niall Powell

Director ofFacilities: Chris Dennis

Director Past Players: Shane Bridley

Director Club Operations: Jie Walsh 

New Sponsor Alert – INCODE Engineers Join the Pies

A name familiar to many in the Sherwood Magpies Community are INCODE Engineers, having had a long association with the club dating back to 1989.  INCODE have provided in-kind services to Sherwood Football Club on a number of major infrastructure upgrades and projects including original install of the previous generation of field lighting, design and install of mobile tower and design construction and supervision of the new change room facility opened in 2015.  More recently, the team at INCODE have been the driving force behind another exciting new infrastructure upgrade that’s set to be announced soon!

Club Captain & INCODE Engineer David Lewis, Club Director Niall Powell & INCODE Engineer Tom Marxson

A family owned and run business, INCODE have also sponsored the club previously and of the four brothers who have represented the club, three of them still work together at INCODE Engineers, including current Club Captain, David Lewis.  (we’re reliably informed the back sheep of the family is a lawyer!)

The Brisbane based team is not just a group of footballers with Engineering degrees, they are made up of
highly experienced structural engineers who are dedicated to using their knowledge and expertise to provide clients with a high quality service and innovative solutions to all projects.

INCODE Engineers are committed to providing designs that exceed client expectations, integrating methods that emphasise quality of build and simplicity, saving project time and cost throughout construction.

Structural Engineering

• Structural Design

• Management

• Project Planning

• Site Inspections

• Physical Risk

Investigation & Causation

• Photographic Documentation

• Precise Measurements

• Witness Interviews

• File Reviews

• Geotechnical Reports

Telecommunications

• Design

• Planning

• Engineering

• Certification

• Reporting

To find out more about INCODE orif you can partner or network with them in a professional capacity, visit https://incode.com.au

New Sponsor Alert – Storage King

Storage King - the largest self-storage organisation in Australasia - have signed on as partner of the Sherwood Magpies for season 2020 and beyond.

The closest Storage King facility to the Sherwood Football Club is located at Rocklea where its managed by long time Collingwood fan Maxine, who has an obvious and immediate affinity to the Magpies!  Local area Manager, Jarryd Churcher has also confirmed that there will be year round offers to the Sherwood Footy Club community at multiple sites around Brisbane.  Details on those offers and the participating stores will be announced shortly.

“As a company, we’re also quite big on local community engagement. If there’s any events you require volunteers for, just say the word and we’ll have a team for you.” he added.

Services and features of a Storage King self-storage facility include:

• Various sized commercial, industrial and domestic storage options

• 24/7 access

• 24 hour surveillance including CCTV

• Clean, dry and easy to access spaces

• One stop packing options

• Onsite managers during business hours

• Insurance options

• FREE move-in truck and trolley use

• Forklift access and pallet racking

For the nearest facility to the club, visit https://www.storagerocklea.com.au/

New Sponsor Alert - Tradecrete Group

Locally owned and operated Tradecrete Group have signed on as new community partners with the Sherwood Football Club for season 2020 and beyond in what is another exciting new sponsorship deal for the club and a local business servicing local clients and wider South East Queensland.

Tradecrete specialise in all facets of concreting, from little shed slabs and small garden paths up to complicated, large and decorative jobs in high end renovations and new builds. Owner and tradesman Matt Schloss is known for his superb attention to detail on all jobs big or small and said he was keen to get involved with the Magpies after visiting the club several times and absolutely loving the community atmosphere and vibe.

“I do business with a couple of other existing sponsors, and know a few lads that have played here and have found myself drawn down to the club more and more in recent months as its become a real hub of the community. Kids on the oval enjoying some footy, live music, cold beer and good old fashioned friendly customer service. Why wouldn’t I want to get involved?”

“If you’re a local business around here, you’d be mad not to associate yourself with this joint, its the absolute heart beat of the area and I’m excited to jump on board as a sponsor”

If you’ve got a concreting job, big or small - make sure you get in touch with Tradecrete.

Details: Matt Schloss matt@tradecretegroup.com.au

New Sponsor Alert – Recycling Metal Industries

Local family owned and operated business, Recycling Metal Industries (RMI) have joined forced with Sherwood Football Club for season 2020 and beyond.  Local to the area, General Manager Will Morgan said he was excited to be partnering with the Magpies as he sees the club as fantastic community hub for all locals to the area, not just the Australian Rules fraternity.

Having lived in the area for 15 years, he has watched on with interest as the club (and the rest of the local community) has strongly re-built from the devastating floods of 2011 and felt it was time to get involved in 2020. 

“There is a real buzz about the place in the last 18 months, every time I drive past there seems to be something going on!  Big crowds flocking to games, enjoying the BBQ Mafia food, live music a great place for a cold beer.  I’ve been down for a few games over the years and while I’m a league man myself, I know a good community club when I see one”

RMI are locally owned and operated, but are able to service clients effectively and efficiently all over Australia.  They take all kinds of scrap metal and open Monday to Saturday from 6:30am, closing 4:40pm Mon-Fri and 11:40am on Saturday.  RMI specialise in the servicing of the scrap metal requirements of the manufacturing and trades sector.

RMI have the following key features:

• Certified weigh bridges at each site

• Industry leading photographic and weighing equipment at all our facilities

• We are a long standing member of the Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of Queensland (WCRAQ)

• Registered license to trade under the Second Hand Dealers' Act

• Certification for Metal Recovery under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (issued by Brisbane City Council)

If any club members, players or supporters would like to partner or consider networking with RMI, get in touch with Bill Morgan on billmorgan@rmi.com.au or visit their website https://www.rmi.com.au/

New Sponsor Alert – HoLo partners with Magpies for 2 year deal!

Innovative online mortgage broking technology platform ‘HoLo’ have signed on with the Magpies for an initial 2 year partnership. 

Mitch Merritt (Director), Justin Dickinson, Andrew Thomson (President) & Tianna Peters (Senior Women’s Team & Youth Girls Coach)

Co-founder and Managing Director Justin Dickinson is a local to the area, parent to two fantastic lads plying their trade in junior footy at the Magpies and is said to be a bit of a superstar team manager in his spare time.  A Sydney Swans fan, Justin had a long career in the finance and banking space before taking the plunge to establish HoLo in order to help Australian’s get a better deal on their home loan.  However HoLo are not just another mortgage broker, they are a bonafide (and independent!) technology platform designed specifically to make the process of getting a home loan or a great deal on your current mortgage, in both a simpler and faster way. 

HoLo can give you access to 41 lenders, find the right loan to suit you and have you approved all without a meeting or any cumbersome paperwork. And with decades of property industry experience across the team, there’s always an expert available to assist as well. Not to mention, they’ve been known to have clients approved and ready to bid at auction, or sign unconditional contracts within 3 days!

A handful of club members have used HoLo, to rave reviews, so we welcome HoLo as another fantastic partner for the Sherwood Football Club and encourage any members, supporters, players or club partners looking to get a great deal on their mortgage to visit holo.com.au

Don’t forget to refer your friends!

Carter Capner Law - The Girls are Back in Town!

The Sherwood Football Club are pleased to announce the return to Senior Womens Football in 2020 after a 5 year absence due to facility upgrades.

After being awarded a provisional license late in 2019, the Magpies were yesterday told of their successful application to field a side in the QFAW Competition for Season 2020.

Sherwood wish to acknowledge the support from AFL Queensland in relation to this process and the collaborative approach that was taken to work to a positive outcome, not to mention the support of other local clubs with thriving Senior Women’s programs with particular mention of Jindalee Jags and Yeronga Devils.

Sherwood Football Club Director, Mitchell Merritt was the driving force behind the re-establishment of the Senior Women’s program and worked tirelessly to attract new players to the game in particular.  The Women’s squad (now numbering over 30 interested players) have been training twice a week since November and a number of the players have already immersed themselves in the club culture taking on coaching roles in the U11 and U13 youth girls teams for Sherwood.

The winning team from the Great Race challenge held at training during torrential rain this week!

In some cases players are returning to Sherwood where they started their footballing journey as many as 10 years ago in either Senior womens or Junior Magpie teams, while other local women have been inspired to take up the game by an existing association with the club, players of broader Sherwood footy family.

Playing in the South Competition, the Womens team will on some weekends be aligned with the QAFL Mens team playing twilight games at 445pm in front of adoring home crowds after QAFL senior games while the local community enjoys a dose of footy and some Barbecue Mafia!  There will also be standalone home games during the season and the official fixture will be released in a few weeks.

A coaching and support team is well established, however if you would like to be involved in the 2020 Womens Program as a volunteer please get in touch with us on president@westernmagpies.com.au

Team managers, water carriers and general support crew are always welcome!

Announcement - Sherwood Football Club

SHERWOOD FOOTBALL CLUB – Announcement

The board of the Sherwood Districts Australian Football club today formally announce that we will be recognising our traditional and historical name as the Sherwood Magpies at all levels of football moving forward.
 
This recognition of our historical club moniker comes as part of a broader ‘one club’ policy that has developed over several years since the re-introduction of the Magpies to the QAFL in 2014.  In 2017 we returned to the original Sherwood Magpies strip of the traditional black & white stripes of Collingwood as opposed to the Port Adelaide SANFL strip of great acclaim that was worn by Magpie senior teams from 1999.  This initial step ensured Sherwood footballers would wear the same strip from u6’s through to Senior football as part of their footballing journey.  The club board was re-structured and a facilities upgrade plan was established.  This also involved a communications and marketing strategy that can only reach its full potential through the underlying one club vision shared by our many and hardworking volunteers.
 
The ‘Western Magpies’ tag or ‘brand’ was previously a condition from AFL Queensland to be granted a license back into the QAFL State League rather than the now disbanded BAFL, this condition has long since been removed and the Magpies now take their opportunity to re-align with the clubs rich history.
 
The club will continue to cater for players of all abilities and genders from the age of 6 through to senior football, having had the longest running 4 x senior mens team structure in South East Queensland from Seniors, Reserves, 3rds and Colts/U18s.  A return to Senior Womens football for Sherwood has also been a key factor in this planning, with Senior Womens Football dating back to the early 1970’s at Sherwood and with the appropriate facilities upgrades now in place, female footy at Sherwood is set to thrive once again.
 
With the Senior Mens team being part of the highest level of community based mens football competition, the QAFL – we also acknowledge the huge and significant contribution to our Senior football program from the many surrounding clubs in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane. Young players  wishing to test themselves at a higher level of Senior Football from Jindalee, Kenmore, Wests, Moggill, Moorooka, Calamvale, Forest Lake, Ipswich and further afield to Toowoomba, Dalby and beyond have played an enormous part in the rich history of Australian Rules Football played at Sherwood.
 
This move now begins the overarching process of a full integration of all facets of the Sherwood Districts Australian Football Club;

1. Junior, Youth and Senior Football – Male & Female
2. Club Operations – Bar & Restaurant
3. Facility enhancements and upgrades for increased community partnerships and programs
 
From a practical perspective, the move from Western Magpies to Sherwood Magpies at will experience a transition period over the next 6 months that will include consolidation of websites, social media platforms, apparel, signage and logos.
 
Exciting times at Sherwood, we look forward to another wonderful season in 2020.

McCarthy Homes - QAFL Reserves Coaching Appointments

The Sherwood Football Club are pleased to confirm the appointment of Scott Hannon as Reserves Coach for Season 2020 with Bryce Crossley as his assistant.

Originally hailing from Victoria, Scott has had consistent involvement in football all his life and continuously coached at various junior and senior levels for the past 13 years.  This includes junior and youth coaching at Beenleigh Buffs, Darling Downs Youth Representative Footy and more recently Senior coaching roles in Toowoomba and Western Queensland where he was inaugural Senior Coach at Chinchilla Suns, Senior Coach at Toowoomba Tigers and Senior Assistant Coach at Coolaroo.

The appointment of Scott continues the Magpies long and proud association with Darling Downs Football where the likes of club legend Jimmy Rozynski hail from, as well as more recent recruits such as Riley & Brodie Easton, Jacob Sheath, Ryan Cherry, Sam Copland and Samson Ryan to name just a few.   A Level 2 qualified coach, Scott has been enjoying his transition to a QAFL Football Program and we are delighted to welcome him to the Magpies.

Bryce Crossey is a Div 1 U18 Premiership player with Sherwood, made his State League Senior debut as a 17 year old with the Brisbane Lions in 2010 and made his Senior Debut with the Magpies the following year in 2011 as an 18 year old.    Since then Bryce has played approximately 30 Senior games and been a 2 x winner of the JB Medal for Reserves Best & Fairest.  An accomplished and hard working centreman, he unfortunately suffered an ACL tear in early 2018 and his yet to recover in time for a return to football.

Putting his playing credential aside, Bryce has long enjoyed both formal and informal involvement in Sherwood Colts and Youth ranks as an assistant or development coach, including involvement in the 2016 Magpie U17 Div 1 Undefeated Premiership side.  He has a strong footy brain ready for a transition to coaching at Senior level and we are excited to welcome him to the Senior ranks to assist Scott with the QAFL Reserves side in 2020.

McCarthy Homes - Colts Coaching Appointments 2020

The Sherwood Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of co-coaches for the 2020 Colts Program in Ben Jaenke-Cain and Drew Mitchell.

Ben is a life member of the Sherwood Football Club and was a Senior Premiership player as a 16 year old in 2008 and a Bill Peirce Medalist in 2014 when he had one of the more outstanding seasons in Magpie memory taking out the Senior Best & Fairest Count by an astonishing 63 vote margin, totalling 149 votes!  For comparison, while still using the same voting system the last 4 winners haven’t polled more than 100.

Ben was also selected in the QAFL Team of the Year in 2014, represented QLD at U15, U18 and U21 level and 2020 will be his 11th season of Senior Football at the club.  Originally a Springwood Junior, he joined the Magpies in 2004 to play U14s to join a few of his mates and to play in the famous black & white stripes (as a passionate Collingwood supporter!) He won the AFLBJ Div 1 U16 Best & Fairest in 2006 and he also had a stint at Redland in 2011/12 before returning to the Magpies.

Drew Mitchell is quite simply part of Magpie royalty.  Both the son and grandson of life members, Drew was always destined to flourish in the black & white stripes and flourish he has.  Forging his own identity, Drew was Senior Captain in 2017 and 2018, and also won a Bill Peirce Medal in 2017 when he tied with Gareth Crawford in a thrilling Best & Fairest count.  Much like his great mate Ben, Drew has also been a QAFL Team of the Year member and had a stint in the NEAFL in 2011/12 before returning home to the Magpies.

However, playing credentials aside – both Ben and Drew through their years of playing Senior Football and holding leadership positions have built great reputations when it comes to working with young players and teammates.  Ben for many years has taken aside young players making their way in Senior footy for one on one coaching before and after the main sessions and also currently works in junior sport with Logan Basketball.  Drew is a school teacher, so is well versed in coaching, mentoring and leading young students and also follows in the footsteps of his father Steve Mitchell who was a life member of Sherwood Football Club and a legendary junior coach, Reserves Premiership coach and Senior Football Director.

We are thrilled to secure Ben and Drew as co-coaches of the Magpies Colts in 2020, and we feel the development of our young players in a traditionally strong U18s program could not be in better hands.

Congrats to Ben and Drew on their appointment.

McCarthy Homes - Back to the Berg - The Return of Women's Footy!

The Sherwood Football Club Board of Directors wish to announce that the club has been successful in being granted a provisional license for a 2020 women’s football in the QFAW competition.  

The return of women’s football to McCarthy Homes Oval stems from a proud legacy of women’s football dating back to the 1990’s. “This team in a crucial part of our holistic strategy to reflect a truly diverse offering for all members of the local community,” said Mitchell Merritt, Director.

“Being able to provide a genuine participation pathway for female football is something that the club has been eager to do for a number of years. When I commenced playing at Sherwood in the mid 2000’s, Womens football was thriving at the club and we were pioneers in the female footy space. However, over time the infrastructure requirements to field 400 junior players, 4 x senior mens teams and continue to support womens football became a bridge too far and a large collection of our female players left to the greener pastures of Yeronga where there were 3 sets of home & away dressings rooms while our own rooms were substandard at best. As a result, we have been unable to field a senior womens team since 2014” said Andrew Thomson, Club President.

“The 2011 floods had a devastating impact on many clubs, not least the Magpies and its been a long journey to re-store our facilities to not only be ready to sustain male and female footy from u6s through to Seniors, but also for those players to thrive. We have updated our rooms, re-surfaced the playing field, negotiated access to additional training surfaces and following extensive consultation and a groundswell of support for this team we now feel the time is right to get back into the Senior Women’s competition” Thomson said.

Following a Come & Try Session in October which was run by the QAFL Senior leadership group with the support of Tribal Sport and the AFLQ an expression of interest list of over 50 players was developed, with many of them waiting several years for their chance to return to the Magpies after the hiatus.

“It’s been a frustrating 5 years at the club for us, as I’ve encountered so much support and positivity about getting Senior Women’s footy back up and running at the club, but we had to watch on as the game exploded in popularity as we wanted to be sure we were ready and would do it properly to ensure our many junior girls again have a pathway to Senior football. As leaders in this space for so long, it was frustrating to watch on for 5 years now, but also incredibly proud and rewarding to see so many young women who started their football journey at the Magpies to be playing QAFLW and even AFLW and getting so many opportunities that weren’t there only 5 years ago” Thomson said.

Additional to the standard approval process, there are restrictions placed around the Sherwood Magpies playing list composition, to ensure the integrity of the game and the growth in female footy is organic.

These parameters will include;

Sherwood Magpies 2020 QFAW Team Recruitment Restrictions for the 2020 season

• No more than 35% of the Club’s registered players were primary registered with a QFAW or QAFLW club in 2019

• The Club can only sign up to a maximum of 3 players who were registered with the same QFAW Club in 2019

• The Club can only sign up to a maximum of 2 players who were registered with the same QAFLW Club in 2019

While a search for a Senior Women’s Coach is completed, the club has appointed an interim coaching & support panel to run the pre-Christmas sessions which consists of AFL, AFLW, QAFL and NEAFL experienced players and coaches. 

Training will commence next Wednesday the 27th of November at 6:15PM to 745PM and will be held each Wednesday evening up until Christmas in addition to another more skills-based session on Saturday morning from 7AM with the senior men’s team which is historically followed by a coffee.

If you would like to get involved as a player, volunteer or official sponsor the female football programme please get in contact with Mitchell Merritt via sponsorship@westernmagpies.com.au or 0427 715 619. 

McCarthy Homes Senior Coaching Announcement - Anthony McDonald new QAFL Senior Coach

The Sherwood Football Club Board of Directors wish to announce the appointment of Anthony McDonald as the QAFL Senior Coach for season 2020.

Anthony is a Level 2 qualified coach with a long history of involvement in football as a player, coach and administrator including a previous stint at the Magpies as Club Development Manager.  It was an exhaustive process with the club speaking to 13 applicants, all who brought strong and varied attributes to the table.

After an initial round of discussions and interviews, the club identified the key requirements of the role, some non-negotiable attributes and the style of coach to take the club forward in 2020 and beyond.  All applicants were then re-assessed against this criteria which then narrowed the field to four very strong candidates.

Based on this assessment and subsequent interviews and discussions, it was clear that all of the candidates would make exceptional senior coaches at QAFL level however Anthony was a clear leader with his commitment to a consultative process, empowerment of a high calibre group of Assistant Coaches and Development Coaches and his proven ability to manage stakeholders at all levels and build strong relationships throughout the playing group and broader club.

From a football perspective, Anthony has extensive experience as a player and coach dating back this time at Salesian College in Sunbury, Port Melbourne (VFA/VFL) before football took him around the country with stints in Yepoon (QLD), Sutherland Sharks (NSW), Robe (SA), North Adelaide (SANFL), Nightcliff (NTFL), Strathpine (BAFL) and then again back to the Wide Bay Capricornia region where he was involved in several clubs as a player, coach and administrator as well as being the AFL QLD Regional Manager.  He was also the Club Development Manager at the Magpies from 2008-2010 and coached the Reserves in 2011 and maintained involvement at the club until 2013.  Since then, he has focused his time on junior representative coaching and developing his business Time Technology where he facilitates programs on time management, leadership and productivity including facilitating programs at the AFL Coaches Association National Conference and other leadership, culture and development conferences.

Joining Anthony on the Senior Coaching panel are the following two new appointees and returning coaches.

Alex Mitchell:  Alex was a local junior to the Western Suburbs, commencing his career at Kenmore Bears in the 1990s.  His playing career then took him to Morningside in the QAFL/NEAFL and to Victoria where he played in the VFL with Williamstown and was part of the Collingwood development program and he was also a member of the Essendon development squad as a draft prospect before spending time in the WRFL and subsequently returning to  Morningside where he played NEAFL/QAFL until 2019 and played in the QAFL State side in 2018.  He also had a stint as an Assistant Coach at Kenmore in 2012 when they achieved their highest ever Division 1 finish, and in discussions with several players who played with him – Alex is an astute football brain and a keen thinker on the game, who routinely took the time to assist with the development and guidance of younger players.  

Brett Connell: Brett was relatively late to Australian Rules Football, taking up the game as a Rugby League convert at the age of 16 where he commenced with Morningside, played for South East Bushrangers before graduating to Senior football in the QAFL and NEAFL with a Reserves Best & Fairest on the way up in 2006.  He played in a QAFL Senior Premiership in 2009 and missed out on going back to back in 2010 ironically after tearing an MCL vs the Magpies in a game in Toowoomba.  He was also the QLD State U21 Co-Captain with Dayne Zorko in 2009. A school teacher by trade, he then relocated to Canada where he played in 2 Premierships in the Ontario League and unsurprisingly was in the Ontario League team of the year in both 2011 and 2012! He coached a Premiership in Canada in 2015 and was awarded coach of the year before dipping his toe in the water in 2017 as an assistant coach at Coorparoo Kings.  Brett has Magpie blood in his veins though, having been a ball boy for the Souths Magpies in the QRL where his father had an extensive and by all reports legendary playing career.

Both Brett and Alex will also be pulling on the boots for the Magpies in 2019 and will hope to add to their QAFL Senior Games tally at their new home.

Joining Alex and Brett will be returning coaches David Hamill and Cory Hopkins, both local juniors who will also be Seniors Assistants along with former Brisbane Lion, Justin Clarke who will be the Development Coach.  David was the 2019 Russell Green Memorial Trophy winner for Magpies Coach of the Year and he is a key ingredient in the coaching setup at the club where he has played in 2 x Senior Premierships.  Cory started and finished his football journey at the Magpies which also took him through the NEAFL ranks at Redland, down to the SANFL with Woodville West-Torrens and eventually back to the Magpies again via Redland.  Justin Clarke hails from Booleroo in northern South Australia before he played just 1 SANFL Reserves game before the Brisbane Lions picked him up in the 2012 rookie draft.  Ongoing concussion symptoms unfortunately cut an incredibly promising 56 game AFL career short just 3 years later and he joined the Magpies as a Development Coach and Assistant Coach in 2018 where he has been instrumental in the development of the clubs young playing list.

Alister Mitchell will also be reprising his role as Club Welfare and Personal Development Manager, where he is looking after player/coach/volunteer well-being, mental health, performance coaching and program facilitation.

Alistair is on call for all our players and coaches 24/7 to chat about any issues, struggles or anxieties they might be experiencing and will attend the club each month to visit training and speak with players and coaches in addition to attending the club 3 times during the year to facilitate very specific programs and presentations.

Further coaching appointments will be announced in coming weeks, but we welcome Anthony McDonald back to the club as Senior Coach and also welcome Alex, Brett, David, Cory and Justin in their roles for season 2020.

CFMG Capital - Colts Awards

Versatile key position player, Jackson Paynter has just pipped classy defender/midfielder Darcy Prest by just 1 vote to claim the 2019 Maurie McNamee Medal for Colts Best & Fairest named in honour of a man who is considered one of the fathers of the Sherwood Footy Club.

In an incredibly tight count, Lawson Campbell was just 1 vote back in 3rd place after a great year playing in defence and he came home late to nearly claim the medal.

Paynter polled 37 votes, with Prest on 36 and Campbell on 35. All of them have big futures, with Jackon a very strong mark, a good leap and toughness and intensity around the ball. Prest was unlucky not to make his senior debut, and also represented the QLD in both U18 and U17 football. Both Prest and Paynter will be pushing for early season Senior debuts in 2020.

Campbell, is a tough uncompromising defender and also won the Best in Finals award to underline he is made of the right stuff.

Whitlam Bishop was Most Consistent after another fine season playing in defence, Darcy Prest also won Best Team Player while Oscar Murphy was a worth winner of the Coaches Award despite being in and out of the side, he always trained hard, gave his all and did any job asked of him on match day.

The leading Goalkicker was mid sized forward Cooper Crowell who had a fine season in front of the big sticks.

Anytime Fitness - Reserves Awards

The JB Medal named after long time club trainer John Burkill was this year won by Ben Jaenke-Cain who added the honour to his 2014 Bill Peirce Medal. the medal is awarded after 5-4-3-2-1 votes are awarded after each game.

A 150 game senior player, Senior Premiership player and Life Member, the Reserves is unfamiliar territory for Ben, but to win the JB Medal after just 7 games underlines his commitment to the task. Starting in the Seniors, Ben made way for the return of some young academy players before the excellent form of fellow veteran Gareth Crawford made the senior midfield too crowded for both!

Despite this, Ben continued to train exceptionally hard and also gave his time to coach and develop the youngsters coming through. He maintained his excellent ball winning ability in his 7 games, polling in 5 of them but making it count with 2 x maximum votes for best on ground and 3 times 2nd best.

Runners up was shared by Zac Collison and Rory Johnson, while Gerard Moore ran 3rd with 15 votes. Collison started the year extremely well, and was excellent across half back to regularly be in the mix for a Senior debut, while Rory Johnson was a consistent and reliable performer through the middle and also added to his Senior game tally. Both Collison and Johnson spent time injured, which likely cost them any chance of securing the JB Medal.

Johnson was also named Most Consistent, reliable key defender Harry Marshall was Best Team Player, while Jordan Bonney won the Coaches Award in recognition of his huge pre-season and ongoing efforts throughout the year which culminated in some Senior games late in the season.

In his return to football after a 4 year absence, the classy Jesse Hampel was the leading goalkicker.

Harvey Norman Oxley - Senior Club Awards

As part of the 2019 Presentation Night a number of Senior Awards were presented, these are specialist club awards in recognition of non playing roles.

Barry “Phantom” Johnstone - Senior Club Player of the Year

This award is given to the a member of the Senior Playing Squad who gives back to the football club by going above and beyond with their time, and in 2019 we had a fitting winner in Harrison Radcliffe. Harry balances his studies and playing and training commitments by being an Auskick coach and Coordinator, Roys Lions volunteer and also coached the U14 Sherwood McDonalds cup to their divisional Grand Final.

We both congratulate and thank Harry for his efforts in 2019.

Senior Club Person of the Year

The Senior Club Person of the Year recognises outstanding club volunteers, whether they are an assistant coach, football manager, team manager, scoreboard operator or many more roles that make the place tick.

In 2019, we had Jaden Crowell who was the Colts Team Manager for the second consecutive season. Jaden coordinates a group of players who range from Year 11, Uni Students and others employed full-time. Some are 18, some are not, some can drive, others can’t! Communication can be somewhat ‘limited’ with young players of this age, and then of course there are academy commitments, elevations to Seniors and Reserves football and we’re beginning to paint a picture of a team that needs the utmost commitment from the all important team manager.

In addition to his role as Team Manager, Jaden was the pseudo match day manager and given the Colts play first up, he became somewhat of a quality control officer for the day ahead at home games. For away games, he was at the club early on Saturday mornings packing the Magpie trailer (for all grades) before towing it to games. Fair to say, we couldn’t have done it without this guy in 2019!

Russell Green Memorial Trophy - Coach of the Year (Presented by Matt Green)

Returning to the club where he is a 2 time Premiership player, the larger than life character David Hamill took on a role as part of the senior assistant coaching panel for season 2019. Known for his outgoing personaility and ability to lighten the mood, “Hammers” quickly established himself as an astute thinker with a serious ‘footy brain’. His ability to clearly communicate with players, build relationships across the playing and coaching group and the care attention he gives to instruct and teach on a one to one basis has him as a Senior Coach in waiting should he ever decide to head that way.

Carter Capner News - Life Memberships

In a now traditional part of the Senior Presentation Night, a number of Life Memberships were awarded in recognition of past and ongoing service to the Sherwood Football Club.

In 2019, the newest inductees were as follows:

STEVE MITCHELL

Steve was awarded a Life Membership in recognition of the almost 40 years of service he gave to the club as a player,  junior coach, Reserves and assistant Senior Coach and football director.

The nomination process for Steve to be awarded Life Membership commenced in late 2018 and the club felt it was fitting he still be honoured with this award despite his untimely passing just 2 months ago.

Steve played juniors for the Magpies and then many years in Seniors for 3 premierships and after he finished his playing days, he coached junior teams for years and also coached the Reserves  in the Western Magpies in 1999 and again in 2000, 2001 and 2007 (a premiership year). He was involved in the resurrection of the club in 1998 when moves were made to reboot the Magpies after a 12 month hiatus from Senior Football in 1998 after the merger with Wests folded at the conclusion of the 1997 season after delivering a QAFL Premiership in 1996. Recently he was the club football manager in 2013 and had major involvement in the organizing and completion of the club’s new honour boards after previous versions were destroyed by floods.

Steve’s Life Membership award was a poignant moment at the Presentation Night and it was presented by his great friend Des Lashman to his sons Drew and Luke Mitchell with Luke speaking  eloquently about his father and his love of the club and that he would have been very honoured to receive Life Membership.

SEAN MCEVOY

Sean reached the 200 senior club games milestone for the club this year with 13 Seniors, 189 Reserves and 1 Woodsmen game for a total of 203 games to meet the criteria for automatic life membership.

He commenced playing in Reserves in 2007 and has been a member of the senior playing group for 13 seasons. He started as a Sherwood junior in 1994 and has been a fixture at the club for 26 consecutive years since starting as a 7 year old. He has likely played over 400 games in the black and white.  Life membership was due recognition for his loyalty and dedication to the club. He played in the 2007 Reserves premiership as well as the disappointing Reserves grand final losses in 2008 and 2011. He plays mainly in defence and has the occasional run in the ruck and in many matches has given away height and weight but he always manages to win many of the contests. He has never won any best and fairest awards but was always a consistent performer and won a couple of best player in the finals awards which says a lot as he played well at the business end of the season. He joins his father Michael, brother Tim and brother-in-law Reid Dobson as Life Members of the club.

JIM EVANS

Jim commenced at Sherwood Football Club in U11s in 1963 and was a member of the first Senior side in 1968, so if our maths is solid - he can’t have been older than 16 when he made his debut. He then played for 11 seasons where he featured on the wing and in later years in the back pocket. He hung up the boots in 1978, where despite his relative youth he had played in 6 Senior Premierships, including winning the Senior Best & Fairest in a Premiership year in 1976. He then coached U9’s to U11’s from 1967-1970, and incredibly also served on the commitee as a teenager in the 1960’s. It is estimated Jim played approximately 180 Senior Games (unfortunately records were lost in 1974 and again in 2011!) and he was named in the best 50 players of all time at the Sherwood Australian Football Club

GREG ADAMS

Greg first played junior football for the Club in 1960, however he had to wait until U17’s in 1969 before he won his first Premiership for Sherwood.

He Captained teams in U11’s, U13’s, U15’s, U17’s at Sherwood and U19’s at the neighbouring Western Districts, before playing Senior Football for Western Districts in the QAFL at the age of 17. He won 5 Best & Fairest Awards, along with 4 Most Consistent Player Awards, including a Queensland Junior Australian Football League Best & Fairest in 1970. A terrific effort for a player who played the game at its most physical limits.

Greg represented Queensland in U15 Schoolboys in 1967, then U17’s Schoolboys in 1968/1969 (Vice Captain) and 1970 (Captain).

He was described as ‘pound for pound, probably the hardest , toughest player ever to play for the Club, highly skilled, and a great competitor, with a strength of character that rubbed off on his team mates’.

He was also named in the Top 50 Players for the Club over the First 50 Years.

His Senior football journey took him to the neighbouring Western Districts, the Goldfields League in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Wangaratta in Victoria, before returning to play out his career at Sherwood playing in the 1975 and 1979 Premiership winning Teams, and in between, Captain/Coached the 1977 Reserves Team to a Grand Final.

Despite living away from the area for many years, Greg has always maintained his love for and contact with Sherwood Footy Club, regularly attending home games and he currently retains that active involvement through The Grey Magpies – the Past Players & Supporters Association. Not to mention, he also travels from Redcliffe each Friday to work with a number of other past players, helping to prepare the playing grounds and surrounds each week.

McCarthy Homes News - Luca Winton wins his first Bill Peirce Medal

The 2019 Presentation Night & Bill Peirce Medal Count was held at McCarthy Homes Oval on October 19 in front of a packed house, with the Sherwood Footy Club function room again coming up a treat for the traditional vote count. (Senior Voting is done 5-4-3-2-1, with 3 coaches given a voting card each week)

In the main event, it was defender Luca Winton who held on to win his first Bill Peirce Medal as Senior Best & Fairest at the Magpies, going one better after his runner up finish in 2018.

It was an exciting count coming down to the last round with all of the Top 3 capable of winning the medal, Winton held a 4 vote lead from veteran Gareth Crawford and 14 clear of Rising Star winner and eventual runner up, Dan Edwards. By polling 3 votes, Winton couldn’t be caught by Edwards who subsequently polled 11 while Crawford didn’t poll in the final round, despite some moments of suspense as ruckman Gerard Moore polled votes and sharing the same initial as Gareth Crawford allowed the MC to have his own ‘Gillon McLachlan pause’ between initial and surname!

Winton had an excellent season polling in 12 of 16 rounds, and showed his versatility - regularly picking up the oppositions key forward, while continuing to show his trademark dash out of defence.

His story is a good one. The Sherwood junior decided to try his luck at the Pies in QAFL level after spending a few years in the NEAFL system before playing with mates at Kedron. He had no great expectations to play Seniors but in the 2018 pre-season he trained hard and impressed the coaches and was selected in Round 1 and never looked back. It is a matter of some conjecture that he was not selected in this year's QAFL Team of the Year. Luca received warm praise from club legend Bill Peirce when presented his medal.

For some observers, Dan Edwards was a revelation but to those in the know it was no surprise that he slotted into QAFL football seamlessly. The young Pie was a classy junior, being joint winner of the Colts Maurie McNamee Medal last year in a Premiership winning season,  so he had the ability to step up to the top grade. Edwards provided plenty of pace and energy on a wing and was more often than not named in the Pies’ best players in a majority of matches this season.

Crawford re-discovered the form that won him a Bill Peirce Medal in 2017 and was a constant source of drive from the midfield engine room this year and showed leadership in the tight games this year. Starting 2019 Crawford had virtually volunteered himself to see out his years in the Reserves as a 36 year old, but after just 3 rounds was quickly pushed back into the top grade and hit the ground running polling 51 votes in his first 4 games back, which saw him hold a 22 vote lead after Round 7 and looking hard to catch.

Riley Greene finished fourth in the Bill Peirce Medal count and the 17 year old was outstanding across half back, taking on and beating experienced opponents and was fearless in his attack on the ball. As a result he was a fitting recipient of the prestigious BG Award for "Courage and Commitment".

The Joe Schaffert-Kevin Garner Memorial Trophy for Most Consistent was awarded to another youngster in Ethan Sivijs, who while surprisingly not polling well in the vote count was regarded by most observers as one of the finds of the season. He played with great assurance across half back and grew into the role to be a fine contributor all season.

The Best Team Man was awarded to Jack Goodall, who was asked to often sacrifice his own game to play a role for the team spending large amounts of time as a midfielder despite joining the club as a key position player who previously went through the ruck for the Pies. His efforts were also recognised with a fifth place on the Bill Peirce Medal count.

Dan Edwards won the Rising Star Award in a tight contest from Riley Greene and Ethan Sivijs and the club is blessed to have such talented youngsters in its ranks.

The Coaches’ Award went to Brenton Saunders, who was asked to play a completely different role  in the back pocket after making a name for himself as a goal kicking small forward. He adapted well to be a fine player all season mopping up in defence

Leading Goalkicking Award was shared between Brody Lumber and Ryan Harwood.

Coopers Coaching Vacancies - APPLY NOW

The Sherwood Football Club invites applicants for the role of QAFL Reserves Coach and QAFL Colts Coach for the 2020 Season and beyond, please click on the links above to view the position descriptions and details on how to apply.

For further information: president@westernmagpies.com.au

COLTS NEED TO BOUNCE BACK IN PRELIMINARY FINAL

The Western Magpies Colts will need to bounce back hard if they are to overcome Wilston Grange in the QAFL Preliminary Final at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer on Saturday. The Pies were well beaten last Saturday by Palm Beach-Currumbin but they left the form  they displayed when they defeated Wilston Grange the week before behind and could not re-produce the tough hard football they displayed in the Qualifying Final victory. In the last match against the gorillas the Pies were tough at the contest and played hard no frills football and they will need to bring the same approach to Saturday’s match if they are to win and progress to the Grand Final.

There is one forced change with winger Rory Edwards out with an ankle injury and in comes tall Oscar Murphy and Brodie Gardner will go to the wing.

The Pies will need their midfield to apply the pressure they did when the sides last met and it will be to Cade Scott, Noah Resuggan and Darcy Prest to return to the  the ferocious attack on the ball and the Grange ballcarriers that won them the game 2 weeks ago. 

Lawson Campbell and Whitlam Bishop worked overtime last week in defence and will be hoping the midfield pressure will make it easier for the Pies' defenders.

The Pies key forwards were well held last week but the likes of Jackson Painter and cam Ferguson ned to attack the ball and either mark it or bring it to ground to allow smalls Sean Ryan, Sam Mehari and Jonty Macdougall an opportunity to swoop on the loose ball.

The Pies must get down and dirty and apply the pressure that won them the game a fortnight ago otherwise they will be spectators on Grand Final Day.

The Pies will be boosted by a big home crowd support base and it may be that 23rd man that could get them over the line for another crack at PBC. 

 QAFL Preliminary Final--  Western Magpies Colts v Wilston Grange at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer  on Saturday, September 7th  at 10.00 am

B: Jack Spry  Lawson Campbell Tom Evans

HB: Charlie Thorpe Whitlam Bishop  Jacob Aurisch                                            

C:   Brodie Gardner Noah Resuggan  Ritti Batilimoyo

HF:   Cade Scott  Jackson  Paynter  Cooper Crowell 

F:  Sam Mehari  Cam Ferguson  Jonty MacDougall 

Rucks:  Lachlan Davies

             Darcy Prest

Rover:  Sean Ryan   

Int: Abu Kante,  Kelly Siemer, Morgan Smith, Oscar Murphy

Emerg: Ethan Mooney, Byron Kohler

In: Oscar Murphy

Out: Rory Edwards (injured)