QLD
Jenna Van Dyk
Newcomer: Jenna Van Dyk is only in her second year of AFL, but is a quality athlete who has fantastic skills. Jenna can play in any position on the field and will be used through the key positions and may be thrown into the midfield as well at times.
Loretta Dowling
Run baby run: From the Cairns Centrals club, Loretta Dowling is a lighting quick player who has terrific endurance and is able to push forward and kick goals. Loretta’s run and carry will be an important part of the game plan for the Sunfire.
Jo Butland
On the way out? Jo Butland has been an outstanding player both for the Sunfire and internationally. Despite her thirst for competition at the highest level, can her body sustain the physicality of the new brigade or keep up with the pace of the game?
Selina Goodman
Sink or swim: Selina Goodman has had a difficult time getting into the Sunfire because of the traumas and consequences of the Queensland floods. But this midfielder from North Cairns is pumped to represent her state for the first time alongside her footy idol, Jo Butland.
Yolanda Jones
Yo mimics Ablett: Most young boys playing AFL would love to aspire to be as good as Gary Ablett jnr.
But when it’s a girl who has made him her playing hero …“I just like his style,” Jones said. “He runs hard all day and is a ball magnet.”
Yolanda Jones has been involved in football for three years but already has had an impact.
She had a stellar year in 2010 being the AFL Queensland Rising Star winner as well as the Best and Fairest for her club, Zillmere Eagles. “I wish I was related to Brett Harvey as I like the way he works hard and helps set up the play, too” Jones commented.
‘Yo’ appears to be already copying her two AFL heroes considered is a quick midfielder capable of breaking the lines with her pace and skills. She also has a big tank having previously represented NSW at cross country running.
Coach Richie Lyons believes her tackling and chasing pressure around the ground will be a highlight.
Dr Tiarna Ernst
Doctor wins Rising Star: Like many female footballers unable to find a competition in which to play AFL, Dr Tiarna Ernst was a late entry into AFL. In her first year at 23 years of age she was thrilled to win the Cairns Women’s League’s Rising Star Award.
“I love to run and be a constant part of the play so I guess I captured the umpire’s attention,” Ernst said when asked how come she was able to do so well in her first year.
Working as doctor in Cairns her first year in the game wasn’t all joyful. “I kicked a point for the opposition! I don’t think I got votes that day.”
“With the floods (in Queensland) and the huge amount of rain we’ve had this year it has been hard to play enough games as the ovals have been badly affected.”
“But I am a very competitive person and want to do my best so having limited preparation shouldn’t impact my verocity at the ball.”
Maybe her medical skills could come in handy when she helps demolish the opposition during the carnival.
Katie Brennan
Superstar: One of the few players to have started AFL in Auskick, Katie Brennan (see photo of Katie Brennan from U18s Champs in 2010) already has a string of awards to her name but she’s still only 20 years of age. What’s she going to be like when she hits her prime?
