Top Demon set to pass on his AFL experience

HE’S played more than 170 AFL games and now Aaron Davey is ready to pass on his experience to Townsville’s top talents.

The former Melbourne Demons star has taken over the reins of the North Queensland senior men’s representative team for 2020.

Davey takes over from Brad Cooper, who coached the side for the past three years.

The 36-year-old said he was looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“It’s an honour to play rep footy but an even bigger honour to be appointed coach”, Davey said.

“I’m really committed to developing my coaching and this program provides a great opportunity to do that.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to see first-hand how the program works and I’m confident I can assemble a talented group and then bring them together to perform at their best.

“There’s some seriously good talent in NQ and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to work with the other coaches and selectors in identifying that talent.”

Davey has played for North Queensland for the past two years, something which would make his transition into the coaching role easier, he said.

He will be keen to help North Queensland break a four-year losing streak against their southern counterparts when the two teams meet on Saturday, June 27 on the Gold Coast.

AFL Queensland state manager of senior football Barry Gibson said the elevation of Davey was a testament to the outstanding job he had done in transforming the Cairns City Lions.

“His appointment is a just reward for his efforts and coaching performance,” Gibson said.

“Aaron is working hard to be the best coach he can possibly be.”

In a further coup for the program Peter German will take on the role as North Queensland coach mentor.

He played 185 games with North Melbourne before going on to be an assistant coach at Hawthorn and West Coast.