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Subscriber only HAVING overseen a series of impressive playoff efforts in recent seasons, Bob Maclot knows 2021 could be his most challenging in years. However, the Ipswich Knights under-23 coach hopes the newly-introduced Football Queensland format helps his youth footballers progress rather than struggle. I m not a big fan of it (the under-23 structure) to be honest, Maclot said. I think it s a big step to go from under-18s to under-23s. It all depends how clubs use it. If clubs are using it for giving young kids development then it s good. But for a lot of clubs, all they care about is winning so they ll just put their older boys in and just worry about results for that year.
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Subscriber only WHEN Ipswich footballer Jamie Beahan had a serious motorcycle accident leaving training one night, his entire sporting career flashed before his eyes. Aged 21 in his first season with the Ipswich City Bulls, Beahan was hit by a car after finishing up at the Sutton Park fields. That slowed me down for a couple of years, he said. The former Knights footballer spent three and a half months in hospital before undergoing extensive rehabilitation. His injuries included a dislocated left elbow, broken elbow, shoulder and lung damage. It was two years before I could play again, he recalled.