FOUR Jimboomba Redbacks players represented the Gold Coast Suns in a fierce clash against the Brisbane Lions Academy on Saturday.
Under 17 Jimboomba Redbacks Josii Hargreaves, Aliesha Alford, Ruby Mann and Jesica Draper were all selected for the Gold Coast Suns under 16 Academy Squad in February.
The Suns worked effectively as a team with all players rotating on and off the field.
Hargreaves was superb in the midfield with her run and carry dominating from the middle of the ground.
From the half forward line, Alford marked strongly and created multiple opportunities.
Mann played well from both ends of the field as half back and half forward.
Draper restricted the opposition's possession and landed strong tackles from her position at half back.
The Suns led the entire match with a final score of 53-27.
The Jimboomba Redbacks have come a long way since forming a young and small under 15 team in 2015.
Founding member of the team, Aliesha Alford has been involved with the Redbacks since 2009.
Junior and youth women's football has grown across Queensland with the formation of a Brisbane Lions AFL women's side in 2017.
A Reserve stadium will be built in Springfield for the Brisbane Lions Women's team for the 2021 AFLW season.
The Gold Coast Suns women's side will be ready for the 2020 AFLW season.
Jimboomba Redbacks spokeswoman Aurora Hodges said this would offer Jimboomba footballers a pathway to compete at the highest level of football.
"Jimboomba Redbacks have 13's, 15's and 17's teams that will feed into its senior women's team which should get going in 2020 or 2021," she said.
"We are also looking toward a second senior team in 2020 and a Colts team by 2022."
Colts includes players who are 18.5 years-old or younger.
Redbacks secure change rooms
CONSTRUCTION will begin on new change rooms at the Jimboomba Redbacks club at Glenlogan Park from the end of the AFL season.
The four large change rooms will be on the west side of the club house and will include showers, toilets, a first aid room, an umpire room and a store room.
AFL Queensland will fully fund the project to support the club to keep up with growth demands.
Work is expected to bring in September and will be completed in time for the start of the AFL season next year. The club is located at 81/87-91 Henderson Road, Jimboomba.
