AFL Queensland is pleased to announce the appointment of Steve Daniels as the new Head Coach of the Queensland men's state team, ahead of the interstate representative clash against Tasmania in July. Whilst Gold Coast SUNS AFLW player, Jamie Stanton returns to the helm of the women’s program.
Daniels brings a wealth of experience and success to the role, having built a strong coaching career across multiple levels of Australian rules football.
Most recently, he served as the Head Coach of Southport from 2018 to 2024, where his leadership helped guide the club to significant achievements, including a NEAFL Premiership in 2018, a NEAFL Grand Final appearance in 2019, and VFL Grand Final appearances in 2022 and 2024.
His coaching pedigree includes a standout season in 2015 when he was named QAFL Coach of the Year, a year which also saw him lead Labrador to the premiership.
Daniels acted as an assistant coach for the VFL representative side during the 2024 SANFL vs. VFL match at Gather Round, further showcasing his ability to manage high-performance environments.
With a coaching career spanning across Queensland, Daniels has made an impact at various clubs, including South Cairns, Labrador, the Gold Coast SUNS, and Southport in the VFL.
He has also contributed to Queensland’s representative football, having coached Queensland Country rep sides and previously leading the Queensland Men’s State Team in 2014.
Daniels said he was looking forward to building a competitive and dynamic Queensland squad.
"I'm really excited and honoured to be involved with the state representative program again," he said.
"The best players come together to represent Queensland and it's an exciting opportunity to do the state proud.”
Gold Coast SUNS’ Jamie Stanton has been reappointed as Head Coach of the Queensland Women’s side.
It’s the AFLW star’s second year at the helm, after helping guide the team to a resounding 58-point victory over Tasmania last year.
Stanton said she was thrilled to be back as Head Coach again.
“I’m really excited to be appointed again and I’m looking forward to building upon the success the team had achieved over the past two years,” she said.
“Ultimately I hope to provide a high quality program where the players want to learn and grow.
“Programs like the Queensland rep program are fantastic for myself to continue to grow my coaching skills to hopefully move into that space post my playing career.”
The 2025 Queensland vs Tasmania rep game will be played on Saturday July 5 in Latrobe in Tasmania’s northwest.
The Queensland women’s team will be looking to make it three straight wins in as many years, while the men’s side will be hoping for a breakthrough victory after two heartbreaking defeats to the Tasmanians in 2023 and 2024.
Expressions of Interest for Assistant Coaches for the Queensland men’s and women’s teams are now open, see the links below to learn more and apply.
Queensland Men's Representative Coaching Vacancies Expression of Interest Form 2025
Queensland Women’s Representative Coaching Vacancies Expression of Interest Form 2025