IT was a scrappy but even start to the final match of day one of the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships Round 2, seeing Central Allies 5.6 (36) defeat Eastern Allies 4.8 (32) by four points. The first quarter saw both sides struggle to hold onto possession, with both teams fighting for dominance but unable to get the ball inside 50. The likes of opposition midfielders Teah Charlton (13 touches, four marks, five tackles) and Abby Favell (13 touches, four marks) were right up in it early, finding plenty of the ball as they kept their sides in the contest and put in the hard yards to use the ball cleanly. While Eastern got on the board early courtesy of Lillian Doyle, Central got back quickly with one to Tayla Hart-Aluni, taking a one point lead into the second term. Both sides were unable to clear the ball with ease, crowding every passage as they fought for space across the field. Hasty decision-making saw both sides have difficulty capitalising inside 50, while cracking on every contest to find stoppages.

A goal early in the second to Central’s Madisyn Freeman sparked some momentum, seeing the side use the ball well along the wing, taking it slow and short. The side were a little bit more clinical in their efforts, cleaning it up coming down the ground and taking back some of the control they lacked early. But while the side seemed to take some control, Eastern put on a solid defensive effort, forcing the ball back up the field and not letting Central go forward with any ease. The second quarter remained close, with both teams adding two goals to the ledger – one just before the siren to Eastern’s Jordyn Jolliffe – to have only one point in it at half time.

The Eastern Allies seemed ready to well and truly take on the match after the main break with a quick start to the third. A strategic play from Eastern saw a goal to Tarni Evans in the goal square early, exploiting Central’s back line and finding good space full forward. But while Eastern had the start they needed, Central were unflappable as they scored one back in quick succession. While both sides were strong in the air in the early stages of the match, there were not many easy marks in the second half with both sides attacking the hands in the air to force the ground ball. Eastern put in a solid effort denying easy access inside 50 from Central, spoiling marking opportunities at every chance to ensure their opposition did not have easy options inside 50. It was to no avail, however, as a late goal to Central saw them take a nine point lead into the final term – the largest margin of the game.

The final quarter was all Eastern’s way, if only they had kicked straight. Eastern had all the momentum early, finding plenty of space around the footy but were not able to capitalise on the scoreboard, edging their way closer with minor scores. A strong zoning defence from Eastern locked it in their forward half but got the yips on every contest, getting rid of the ball too quickly and unable to find free players. Among the best were Eastern’s Madison Newman (17 disposals, four marks, five rebounds), Montana McKinnon (15 disposals, six marks, 14 hitouts) and Jamie Tabb (13 disposals, 11 tackles, one goal), while Central’s Mia King (22 disposals, five clearances) and Jessica Whelan (12 disposals, six tackles, four inside 50s) also made their mark. Five straight behinds saw Eastern come close to clawing back a win, but Central were able to hold on despite not scoring in the last quarter.

EASTERN ALLIES 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 4.8 (32)
CENTRAL ALLIES 1.2 | 3.3 | 5.6 | 5.6 (36)

GOALS

EA: L. Doyle, O. Edwards, J. Jolliffe, T. Evans.
CA: T. Hart-Aluni, M. Freeman, A. Healy, B. Smith, J. Tabb.

ADC BEST:

EA: M. King, E. HUrley J. Whelan, J. Hamilton, A. Favell, J. Jolliffe
CA: J. Tabb, M. McKinnon, T. Charlton, M. Newman, T. Hart-Aluni, S. Williams