Long-time Queensland best mates David Armitage and Gavin Urquhart will be AFL rivals for the first time at Carrara tomorrow night.
In what shapes as the beginning of a long personal rivalry, they will do battle as Armitage’s St.Kilda and Urquhart’s North Melbourne chase four crucial AFL premiership points in the Round 14 clash at Gold Coast Stadium.
Armitage, from Mackay, and Urquhart, from Rockhampton, have followed a remarkably similar path to the AFL stage.
They were teammates in the 2005-06 Queensland U18 side, and moved to Brisbane together in 2006.
They were teammates in 2006 AFL/AIS Academy squad and Morningside’s 2006 AFLQ grand final side, and Armitage even boarded with the Urquhart family in Brisbane.
Only when they were drafted 12 spots apart in the 2006 AFL National Draft were they split up.
Armitage was the first Queenslander chosen at No.9 to St.Kilda and, after Shaun Hampson went to Carlton at No.17, Urquhart was the third Queenslander taken at No.21 by North.
Armitage made his AFL debut last year, playing three games for St.Kilda, and has added a further seven this year. Urquhart, troubled by injury last season, made his AFL debut four weeks ago against Brisbane at the Gabba and will play his fifth AFL game at Carrara tomorrow night.
Armitage and Urquhart will be among no less than seven Queenslanders in action at Carrara tomorrow night, joining Saints captain Nick Riewoldt, Sam Gilbert and Max Hudghton, plus Roos David Hale and Daniel Pratt.
