Jess Davy, Captain-Coach of the Moreton Bay Lions' Bond University QAFLW team. Credit: Jayden Zureck
AFL Queensland is pleased to announce the coaching panels for the Queensland Country men’s and women’s sides ahead of their representative match against AFL Sydney/Canberra on July 11 at Southport.
Women’s Queensland Country Coaches
Jess Davy will lead the Queensland Country women’s team after establishing herself as a key player in past representative matches and strengthening her coaching experience this year.
Currently captain-coaching Moreton Bay in the Bond University QAFLW competition, Davy brings an outstanding resume to the role.
A Queensland representative in both 2024 and 2025, she was also named in the Bond University QAFLW Team of the Year across both seasons.
Her representative experience extends to the South Queensland program in 2022 and 2023. Individually, she claimed back-to-back QFAW Division 1 Best and Fairest awards in both of those years before the Lions were elevated to the QAFLW.
Davy said she was excited to work alongside such a talented group of coaches and players.
"I have previously come through these pathways myself and it's so rewarding to now be in a position where I can give back and support the next generation of talent," she said.
"There is so much talent across these regions and this program provides a fantastic opportunity for players to test themselves against some of the strongest opposition in the country.
"It's also a chance to showcase to everyone exactly what country footy is all about - passion, toughness, skill and community pride."
Joining Davy on the women’s coaching panel is former Coorparoo QAFLW coach Rikki Richards, who returns to the representative pathway after her extensive involvement across regional and academy programs.
Originally from Rockhampton, Richards played more than 60 senior games for Glenmore and represented Capricornia.
She has since coached in Coorparoo’s QAFLW program and currently works with both Glenmore and the Gold Coast SUNS Academy.
Townsville local Nicole Demaine has also been appointed as an assistant coach.
Demaine has built a strong reputation in North Queensland through her playing and coaching careers and is currently coaching the University Hawks in the Townsville KX Pilates Senior Women’s Cup while also working in the Gold Coast SUNS Academy.
Rounding out the women’s coaching panel is Darling Downs coach Lachlan Ireland.
Closely linked with both the Toowoomba Tigers and Darling Downs Crows programs, Ireland also brings high-performance experience after coaching the Australian Army Women’s side.
Adding further experience to the women’s program, Jo Butland will serve as coaching mentor and Chair of Selectors.
Men's Queensland Country Coaches
For the Queensland Country men’s side, as announced in April, Steve Daniel will lead the team once again after his unforgettable victory over Tasmania at Latrobe last year.
This is not new territory for Daniel, having coached the Queensland Country side on three previous occasions. He also brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his time as Southport VFL Coach. Daniel will be supported by a trio of coaches with strong playing and coaching credentials from across Queensland.
South Cairns coach Andrew Boston joins the panel after an extensive football career spanning both the AFL and state league level.
Boston played 16 AFL games with the Gold Coast SUNS and has since built a strong coaching resume in Far North Queensland following lengthy stints across the VFL and NEAFL systems.
Capricornia’s Cameron Lockett has also earned selection after being named the 2025 Capricornia Coach of the Year.
Currently coaching at Boyne Island Tannum Sands, Lockett has become one of regional Queensland’s most respected coaches.
Completing the men’s coaching panel is Ricky Sullivan, who has a proud connection to representative football in North Queensland.
Sullivan played more than 130 games for Thuringowa and represented the Queensland Country side at its last appearance in 2012, a team coached by Daniel.
Across his career, Sullivan has also represented both North Queensland and Queensland Country on multiple occasions.
AFL Queensland Competitions Manager Mitchell Simpson said these appointments demonstrated the coaching talent across Queensland.
"We are proud to present Jess Davy, a stalwart of our senior women's Queensland competitions, to have this opportunity as she develops in her coaching career," he said.
"To have so many coaches come from regional areas for this clash, is a testament to the strength of our regional competitions and the quality of coaches in these areas.
"We believe we have put the best coaching panels forward for both sides to lead our Queensland Country teams with pride."
All eight of the coaching panel: L-R Jess Davy (credit: Highflyer Images), Rikki Richards (credit: Glenmore Bulls), Nicole Demaine (credit: Thuringowa Bulldogs), Lachlan Ireland, Steve Daniel (credit: Highflyer Images), Andrew Boston (credit: South Cairns Australian Football and Sporting Club), Cameron Lockett (credit: B.I.T.S Saints AFC), Ricky Sullivan.
Further details regarding the Queensland representative program, including squads and fixtures, will be announced in the coming weeks.