The Downs perfect 10

Players and official honoured

AUSSIE RULES: The Darling Downs hasn’t come away from the Queensland School Sport State Championships in Cairns empty-handed, with a number of future stars earning accolades for their tournaments.

Nine players were selected to the Queensland Country merit side, with six girls (Christina Ash, Chloe Cocks, Molly Fraser, Lara Paget, Gracie Paynter and Coda Stanmore) and three boys (Nicholas Maxwell, Nicholas Nugent and Brodie Speed) representing the Downs.

Paget, 13, was also announced as a shadow player for the Queensland School Sport U15s side.

“We got a few in which is great news,” AFL Darling Downs regional manager Jeff Neumann said.

“It’s good to have six girls and three boys in the Queensland Country merit teams and Lara as shadow, which is great for her as a 13-year-old.”

In another coup, Downs umpire Cayleb Fidge was rewarded for his efforts with selection as a state official to represent Queensland at the national championships in Adelaide in July.

Neumann said it was a tremendous achievement for the rising goal umpire.

“It’s fantastic. Our overall view is that it’s not just about the players, but about coaches and officials too,” Neumann said.

“He’s in the Queensland Academy, and this is the result of a young man working hard on his technique.

“He is a good young fella and has a bright future in officiating, and he might join fellow Darling Downs umpire Alistair Meldrum.”

Photos: Contributed HARD WORKERS: Queensland Country U13-15s girls merit team team representatives (from left) Coda Stanmore, Chloe Cocks, Grace Paynter, Lara Paget, Christina Ash and Molly Fraser.

Boys reps (from left) Luke Ryan (DD coach), Nicholas Maxwell, Nicholas Nugent, Brodie Speed and Jess Balnaves (DD team manager)

Cayleb Fidge was selected as a goal umpire for the national championships.