All-Stars concept kicks-off
Toowoomba football’s best players ready to square off with SWQ Thunder
FOOTBALL: The Toowoomba Football League’s top talent will pit themselves against the SWQ Thunder next month.
In a first for football in the region, the NPL club will compete against All-Star teams selected from the TFL’s Premier Men’s and Women’s divisions.
Several familiar faces dominated the TFL again this season, but with the rise of teams like West Wanderers Black and Highfields a number of new players stepped up to the mark.
Ahead of the official naming of the TFL All-Star teams, The Chronicle picked its own squads.
The top four teams in each division have been given preference with three players from each of those teams selected, however every team is represented by at least one player.
We’ve also highlighted four players from each of the squads who will be key to their team’s success.
The TFL’s All-Stars team will face the Thunder on October 27 – The Chronicle will publish the official teams when they are confirmed.
PREMIER MEN
Dylan Proctor (USQ forward): With a knack for being in the right place at the right time, Proctor was USQ’s top scorer.
Playing in his first season of senior football, Proctor scored 23 goals in 18 games.
The Thunder backline was guilty of giving opposing strikers too much space this year and will need to be wary of Proctor. Brodie Welch (Willowburn
FC forward): Welch led the Magpies in a memorable 3-2 premiership win over rivals USQ FC. His grand final double took his total to 19 goals from as many games and he is always a threat going forward. Chris Veivers (Willowburn
White forward): There will be no let up for the Thunder defence with Veivers another threat going forward.
Veivers tends to score “in bunches” and if he finds his rhythm, the Thunder will be on
the backfoot. Connor Simpson (Rockville defender): Simpson was a rock at the back for Rockville this season.
The centre back’s communication and willingness to do the “dirty work” were important to his side’s performance this season.
THE SQUAD: Matt Edgerton (USQ keeper), Brendan Willmot (USQ), Dylan Proctor (USQ), Chris Veivers (Willowburn White), Nathan Daly (Willowburn White), Rhett Greenslade (Willowburn White), Brodie Welch (Willowburn FC), Brenton Pennels
(Willowburn FC), Adam Daly (Willowburn FC), Connor Simpson (Rockville), Braiden Hinch (Rockville), Jefferson Nunes De Oliveira (Rockville), Dan Burns (Gatton), David Mitchell (Highfields), Justin O’Connell (West Wanderers).
PREMIER WOMEN
Ebonney Kidd (Willowburn forward): Willowburn’s attack has been almost unstoppable over the past two seasons and Kidd has led the charge. Kidd scored 62 goals from 20 games and created numerous chances for her team-mates and will be a major threat to the Thunder
backline. Proving just how valuable a player she is, the pacey and agile striker is often deployed as a defender when Willowburn needs to shore up their backline. Melony Baker (Rockville
midfielder): Baker was the difference in the TFL Premier Women’s grand final. When her team-mates and the opposition were tiring, Baker still had plenty of spark and drive. The talented midfielder, who also won an AFLDD women’s premiership with Toowoomba Tigers, expertly linked up the play between her team’s defensive and forward lines. If the
Thunder give Baker too much space, she will run havoc. Janaina Fogassa (West Wanderers Black midfielder):
Fogassa will be a threat outwide for the TFL All-Stars women’s team. The determined Brazilian winger has excellent ball control and will turn her defender around if given the chance. Kiama Gray (Willowburn
midfielder): Gray is the type of midfielder coaches dream off. The Willowburn skipper is solid in the tackle, has a great passing range and can strike the ball with both feet – expect her to form a dangerous partnership with Baker.
THE SQUAD: Kaitlin Peterson (USQ keeper), Steffi Wilson (West Wanderers White), Bianca Gibson (Gatton), Sally Carroll (Chinchilla), Kiama Gray (Willowburn), Ebonney Kidd (Willowburn), Jacinda Reed (Willowburn), Melony Baker (Rockville), Holly Dukes (Rockville), Dawn Holden (Rockville), Sophie Fuller (West Wanderers Black), Sarah Sheridan (West Wanderers Black), Jainaina Fogassa (West Wanderers Black), Sarah Hall (Highfields), Sarah Hoger (Highfields), Marlina-Rae Pern (Highfields).