100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Noosa retain usual high hopes after entering Queensland AFL competition

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Elite mountain bike trail mooted for Mary Valley

A proposed mountain bike trail is undergoing a feasibility study, with residents invited to have their say. Gympie Regional Council and Queensland Hydro are jointly More

Par-3 course under lights: club moves ahead with expansion

An acclaimed golf club on the Sunshine Coast is progressing with plans to expand its facilities, including a new par-3 course. The Maroochy River Golf More

Lightning legend ends golden career

Two-time premiership-winning goal shooter and Diamonds star Steph Fretwell has called time on a glittering 11-year career. The 33-year-old - who was the Sunshine Coast More

Star goal shooter links with Lightning

Donnell Wallam is returning to Super Netball after the Diamonds goal shooter found a new home with the Sunshine Coast Lightning. The Indigenous star was More

Pickleball brand to open HQ and store on Coast

A fast-growing pickleball brand founded in a Sunshine Coast garage three years ago is set to open a headquarters and retail showroom. Six Zero Pickleball More

Elite soccer teams to clash on Coast

Two of the A-League's traditional heavyweights are set to collide in a pre-season game at Sunshine Coast Stadium, with tickets from just $6. The Brisbane More

After conquering the lower grades, the Noosa Tigers are intent on making their mark in Queensland’s top division.

The reigning Queensland Football Association Division 1 champions are stepping up to the Queensland Australian Football League in 2021, and they’re determined to take their good form with them.

“Our expectations don’t change as a footy club,” coach Adam Bovalino said.

“We still want to win enough games to play finals, whether it’s the QFA or the QAFL. We want to win more games than we lose and hopefully that’s enough to give ourselves a chance.”

They have aims to be in the top six of the 11-team competition, which features 21 rounds.

The Noosaville-based outfit has retained many of their best players and recruited wisely.

“Players want to be at the club, and we’ve added a couple, which will only make us a stronger team,” Bovalino said.

Halfback Ryley Buntain should be a crucial presence.

“He’s probably had his best preseason I’ve seen. He’s really taken on the challenge of going into the QAFL and he’s pumped to test himself against the best in Queensland.”

Brett Meredith in action for Noosa. He’s among the key players for the Tigers as they enter the state league.

They’re guided by captain and midfielder Aaron Laskey.

“He prepares well every week, and leads by example,” Bovalino said.

Key forward Aaron Wilson has recently joined the team, after moving from Victoria.

“He’s impressed in the short time he has been here, and he’s already been voted into our leadership group by team-mates, which is a credit to him and shows the way he goes about things.”

The Tigers will resume a rivalry with fellow Sunshine Coast club Maroochydore.

The Roos were promoted from the QFA to the state league last year, after some classic grand finals against each other.

“They’re a team we’re excited to have a crack against,” Bovalino said.

They first meet in Round 4 at Maroochydore on April 24.

The Tigers will also reignite a rivalry with Palm Beach, a team they also clashed with in finals in the lower grades. They first meet at Noosa in Round 3 on April 17.

Bovalino expects his team to enjoy home ground advantage.

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.

“When I was a player, I used to love playing at home at Noosa, because you knew you had the crowd behind you.  We want Noosa to be a bit of a fortress … we’re very lucky we’ve got passionate supporters.”

If their Round 1 showing is anything to go by, they should be highly competitive.

They were edged by a solitary point, against Wilston Grange at home.

They rallied to kick the last four goals of the game but lost 7.14 (56) to 8.7 (55).

Maroochydore’s first game is against Wilston Grange, on the road, on April 10.

They reached the finals in their return to the state league last year.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share