Glasshouse Hinterland Senior Men now playing against Coast teams
By Kirra Livingstone
THE Glasshouse Hinterland Lions’ Senior Men’s side is stepping up to a new battleground this season, joining the Sunshine Coast competition in Division 3. The Lions were runners-up in last year’s Division 4 grand final, battling mostly against North Brisbane clubs.
But with AFL Queensland scrapping Division 4, the league has restructured into three Division 3 regions: Brisbane South, Brisbane Central, and the Sunshine Coast. Club president and coach Dean Crooks said the shift has been eye-opening, with the Lions facing off against unfamiliar opponents. ”The furthest we have to drive now is Moreton Bay, but it makes it a bit tough having to play against bigger clubs,” Crooks said. ”But they aren’t coping too bad. We’ve got such a big squad and we’ve always been trying to give everybody a fair go.
“Sometimes it’s not about winning—it’s about creating that environment and building a good club culture, which is why people seem to be coming to our club.” Crooks credited the club’s strong reputation for attracting quality players, rather than relying on recruitment drives. ”We have had a lot of players just wanting to come and play for us, which is great,” he said.
Among the new signings are Jack Tuthill, who made the move from a statewide league in Tasmania, and Jordan Robinson, also from Tasmania. The Lions have also locked in a number of long-term stalwarts for the 2025 season, including Kyle Bullard, John Holcombe, and Matthew Pola.
Glasshouse have had a mixed start—two wins and two losses—but the club is confident its culture and fresh talent will see them thrive in the new competition.
