Some of the Bull Sharks’ biggest names will enjoy a true home ground advantage when they don the maroon for the Queensland State side next month.
The Canal will host the 2024 representative clash between Queensland and Tasmania with the State women’s squad featuring six of Bull Sharks coach Andy Lovell’s QAFLW side.
2023 QAFLW premiership heroes Coutney Sexton, Jasmyn Davidson and Ella Calleja feature in the squad to be coached by former Gold Coast Suns AFLW player Jamie Stanton.
Ariana Clarke and Imogen Evans, who returned to the Bull Sharks this year and Tahlia Meyer also made the squad.
Clarke, Evans and Meyer are all former AFLW players.
Stanton has selected a strong squad from the Bond University QAFLW competition, with former AFL Women’s players Emma Pittman, Kaylee Kimber, Lucy Bellinger and Selina Priest also in the lineup.
Lovell said the strong representation from the Bull Sharks was a just reward for the players’ work over the past two seasons.
“We had one player make the final side last year and we went on to win the competition which tells us we are doing pretty well as a team,” he said.
“But within that there are also some great individual improvements being made and it’s great to see that being recognised.
“Ariana, Imogen and Tahlia have played at the highest level, and they would have been on the selectors’ radar from the start, but we are thrilled to see three of our leaders in Ella, Jasmyn and Courtney named in the squad.”
He was particularly excited for Sexton, who has won the Bull Sharks’ past two club champion awards.
“I think it is terrific that the rest of the competition and the State selectors are starting to recognise what we see from her every week,” he said.
“She’s the leader of our midfield and in my opinion the most competitive player in the State League and she was a best and fairest winner in a premiership year.
“No one works harder on their game, and she deserves this recognition.’’
After coaching the South Queensland’s women’s team in 2022 and 2023, Stanton said she was ready for the new challenge of taking on the Queensland Women’s coach.
“It is an honour to be given the opportunity to coach the Queensland Women’s side this year” she said.
“What excites me the most about coaching the Queensland Women’s side is the vast amount of talent that is currently in the Bond University QAFLW. There will be a lot of competition for spots in the squad.
“I am expecting a very competitive Tasmanian team that is looking to win. After the announcement of the new Tasmanian AFL/AFLW license, I would assume this Tassie team is looking to promote and showcase why they deserved it.”
Former North Melbourne star Leigh Harding will return as the Queensland men’s coach in 2024, with redemption in his sights after the Queensland men’s side narrowly went down to the Devils in Hobart in 2023.
Harding has also selected a threatening squad from the QAFL competition, with former AFL players Liam Dawson, Matt Hammelmann and Rhys Mathieson selected for the Queensland men.