Sunshine State’s players of season
AFLQ has crowned a new king and queens of the QAFL on Sunday night at the J.A. Grogan and Emma Zielke Medal awards night at the Gabba.
Southport Sharks’ Selina Priest and Maroochydore’s Lily Postlethwaite were awarded joint Emma Zielke medallists with 15 counts each, while Aspley’s Ryan BanksSmith won the 77th J.A. Grogan Medal with 23 votes.
In the women’s competition, Lily Postlethwaite had such a dominant season that she reached 15 counts by round 13 – from which she returned to AFLW duties with the Brisbane Lions – while Priest equalled this count in the final round of the competition.
Priest had an exceptional season, transitioning from the backline into centre half-forward and earning herself Bond University QAFLW Team of the Year captain.
Banks-Smith had been brilliant for Aspley in the midfield since joining the league in 2021, after moving up from Tasmania, where he starred for Glenorchy in the Tasmanian State League.
The 21-year-old played every regular season game in 2022, averaging 29 disposals, seven inside 50s, six clearances and three tackles per match.
Banks-Smith also came home with the Syd Guilford Trophy for the QAFL Coaches’ Most Valuable Player.
In the goal kicking, Aspley’s Matt Hammelmann dominated with 82 goals for the season, earning him the Ray Hughson Medal for Leading Goal Kicker.
The Hornets also led the women's competition, with Rachael Vetter winning Leading Goal Kicker with 25 goals.
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