SOUTH Australia has gone another year without a loss at the AFLW Under 18 Championships, defeating a gallant Queensland by 20 points at Adelaide Oval today. The Croweaters did their best work through the first three quarters to lead by 33 points, before the visitors cut it as low as 14 points in the final term but the reigning champions were too good, saluting 9.5 (59) to 6.3 (39).

In an even team performance, South Australia was able to kick six of the first seven goals of the match to lead 40-8 at the 10-minute mark of the third term and ultimately set up the win. From that point on, the Queenslanders kicked five of the last eight goals but would fall short.

South Adelaide midfielder Brooke Boileau brought her own ball to the game, racking up 20 disposals in the first 44 minutes to finish with 27 for the game. She teamed up well with reigning MVP Shineah Goody who was tightly guarded in the first half, before working over her opponents to pick up 16 disposals in the second half – and also managed 27 for the match.

The pair had 11 clearances between them, with Molly Brooksby (16 disposals, four clearances) also lively, and the slick bottom-age talent of India Rasheed (20 disposals, nine tackles, three clearances and a goal) was dominant again. The Sturt star kicked her major with the last kick of the game to stretch the lead to 20 points by the final siren.

While all eyes were on Lauren Young, the Queensland defence and in particular Kiara Bischa did as well as one could hope on the top star, though the West Adelaide prospect still had the 14 disposals, five marks and kicked a goal. Instead, it was her Bloods teammate Lucy Boyd who kicked the first two of the match.

For Queensland, it was an incredible game from Havana Harris with the 181cm talent starting on Goody in midfield, then the Maroons had the flexibbility to rotate her into the ruck and give Lilly Baker time in defence. AFLW Academy member Sophie Peters got her side off to the perfect start with a long-range goal in the second term, though Queensland would not have another major until later in the third quarter.

In that time, goals to Young – who punished a turnover kick inside 50 – Zara Walsh, Elaine Grigg and Melissa Anderson blew the lead out to 32 points. While Queensland’s forward pressure would lead to a long-awaited response to Evie Long, it was always going to be tricky. Any hope of a comeback was foiled when a double 50m penalty to Walsh guaranteed her a major at the end of the third term.

Queensland fought to the end, more than doubling its score with foru goals to two in the last term – with Harris setting up multiple chances, South Australia did enough to hold the Maroons at bay. Sophie Eaton put the icing on the cake after a sweet release handball from Goody, and while Alannah Welsh nailed a major with the otuside of her boot coming out of a stoppage, it was a case of too little, too late.

Still, Harris was a star throughout the game, racking up 22 disposals, three marks, 12 hitouts, three clearances, three inside 50s and a goal. She was well supported by the 2007 talents in Welsh (19 disposals, five rebound 50s and a goal) and Ava Usher (19 disposals, three marks, seven tackles, three clearances and five inside 50s) as well as skipper Josie McCabe (16 disposals, six tackles and four clearances).

South Australia’s midfield combination of Boileau, Goody and Rasheed were among the best on the day, while bottom-ager Violet Patterson played her best game of the championships. In defence, the skills of Brooksby and Jemma Charity stood out.

The result meant South Australia went undefeated at the championships, with Vic Country – Queensland’s next opponent – the only possible side that could match the Croweaters. Queensland will take on Country on July 30 at Brighton Homes Arena, before finishing off with the Allies a week later on the Gold Coast.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1.1 | 4.3 | 7.5 | 9.5 (59)
QUEENSLAND 0.1 | 1.2 | 2.2 | 6.3 (39)

GOALS:
South Australia: L. Boyd 2, Z. Walsh 2, L. Young, E. Grigg, M. Anderson, S. Eaton, I. Rasheed
Queensland: S. Peters, H. Harris, E. Long, C. Adamson, B. Sheridan, A. Welsh

RMC BEST:
South Australia: S. Goody, B. Boileau. I. Rasheed, J. Charity, V. Patterson
Queensland: H. Harris, A. Welsh, A. Usher, J. McCabe, L. Baker