VICTORIA Navy has earned a rematch with Queensland in the final of the School Sports Australia 15 and Under Girls’ Championships after defeating the previously unbeaten New South Wales by 29 points yesterday. The last time Navy and Queensland faced off there was just one point that separated the sides, and Queensland got through to the final after surviving a scare against South Australia to win by 10 points.

Queensland 4.2 (26) defeated South Australia 2.5 (17)

Queensland stared down the barrel of defeat against South Australia and lived to fight another day. The Maroons are the reigning titleholders of the 15 and Under Girls’ Championship and despite the odds, and arguably South Australia’s most competitive performance considering the opponent, Queensland was able to kick away in the final term courtesy of a strong forward performance from Frankie Davy.

The Maroons kicked the first goal of the game to go up by a straight kick at quarter time, but South Australia’s forward half pressure came to the fore in the second term. Just four minutes into the quarter with the wind, the pressure from Lily Dunstall-Bruce for second and third efforts was outstanding. She locked it inside 50 with a tackle then forced an out on the full from a rushed kick. Dunstall-Bruce against the boundary line calmly slotted a ripping set shot to hand her side the lead at the main break.

That soon changed early in the third term, with Queensland having an eye-catching end-to-end play. On the overlap by daring to go down the corridor, the Maroons forced an extra number in transition and then Zoe Petrides had one of the plays of the game, picking it up cleanly and sidestepping the last defender. Rather than blazing away with just the goals in front of her, she saw Davy all alone in the goalsquare. A short kick in front of her allowed Davy to kick the easiest of goals.

South Australia had the chance to go ahead at the final break with Lillian Thomas winning a free kick but her set shot just drifted to the left off the boot. Instead, it was four points the way of the Maroons, which despite going into the breeze, found a way to win. Within eight minutes of the final term, Queensland had kicked back-to-back goals and it was game over, as the Maroons won, 4.2 (26) to 2.5 (17).

Davy finished with three goals and was the beneficiary of dominance up the field, while Edie Fraser shone and kicked Queensland’s other goal. Enah Desic was named Queensland’s best, with Torah Luadaka and Harlee McIlwain also stepping up in the semi-final. For South Australia, Emma Charlton was brilliant again, while Miyu Endersby and Emily Mableson also caught the eye.

Victoria Navy 6.7 (43) defeated New South Wales 2.2 (14)

In the second game of the semi-finals, Victoria Navy gritted through a tough first half before kicking four goals in the third term to set up a memorable 29-point win over New South Wales. Outside the third quarter, the Bluebirds kicked 2.2 to Navy’s 2.3, but ultimately the 15-minute purple patch that saw Victoria kick four majors was the difference in the 6.7 (43) to 2.2 (14) result.

Just three minutes into the contest and Lauren O’Sullivan won the ball in congestion in the goalsquare and put it to her boot to strike early for New South Wales. Unbeaten in their previous three matches, the Bluebirds had got off to a strong start, only for Brylee Anderson to counter with a nice major of her own. Vic Navy took a two-point lead into the first break and held a one-point advantage at half-time in what was ultimately a low-scoring contest in windy conditions.

Then came the premiership quarter. With New South Wales getting the first inside 50, Vic Navy had opened up space behind the ball and with dare and dash took it to the open side. The Vics went end-to-end as a clever tap from Piper Dixon so as not to take possession at half-forward, got it to Anderson who put it long to the goalsquare. There, skipper Mietta Datson ran onto it and kicked it from point-blank range.

It triggered a run of goals, which included one from a downfield to Maya Duane after she had narrowly missed a snap. Then, off the back of a blindside tackle from Adele Coppola, Dixon took advantage and kicked a goal from the top of the goalsquare. A minute later, Anderson was involved again winning a free kick for a tackle and putting it to the hotspot for Duane to leap at it in a pack, read it perfectly and clunk the mark.

Duane’s second goal stretched the lead to 28 points, and it was 29 by the final break. Despite a goal to Majella Day midway through the fourth term, it was not going to be enough as Bridie Neale received the ball off hands from the incredibly gifted Emily Rankine to snap a goal and celebrate the victory.

Rankine was named best-on in the win, having another superb game, while Duane’s two goals were crucial. Anderson seemed to be everywhere bobbing up and staying involved, while Grace Farah was also impressive. For the Bluebirds, Emily Hollingsworth was the pick of the side, with Rose Bell and skipper Grace Tracey also working hard throughout the contest.

Vic Navy now heads to the Gold Medal match to take on Queensland, while New South Wales faces off against South Australia for the Bronze Medal.

OTHER RESULTS:

Tasmania crushed Victoria White by 50 points to earn a spot in the fifth placed playoff, with the Apple Isle side taking on Australian Capital Territory (ACT) who kicked away late to beat Western Australia, 3.3 (21) to 0.4 (4) in a dour struggle.

Tasmania produced its strongest performance of the tournament after showing signs throughout to run away with a 50-point victory over Victoria White. Keeping White scoreless for a half and then kicking four goals to one after the main break, the southern most state proved too strong in the 8.8 (56) to 1.0 (6) win.

Matilda Lange was outstanding once again booting two goals in a best on ground performance, while Mia Barwick was elusive and skilful across the field. For Victoria, it was fitting that the aptly named Sophie White kicked her side’s sole goal and was among the best, while Elle Price also stepped up despite the defeat.

The ACT ground out a low-scoring, but well-earned win over Western Australia by 17 points. Holding the Sandgropers goalless all day, the winners kicked two goals in the last term to put some space on the opposition, including one after the final siren to win, 3.3 (21) to 0.4 (4).

Star defender Morgan Stevens was again incredible in defence, while fellow talent Mia Cooper kicked the last goal was was another standout all day. For Western Australia, Charlie Fletcher tried hard, as did skipper Lunay Van Den Heever who were both named in the Sandgropers’ best.

FINALS FIXTURE

All matches take place tomorrow, Saturday, July 29.

Gold Medal Match: Queensland vs. Victoria Navy @ City Oval, 9:20am
Bronze Medal Match: South Australia vs. New South Wales @ Alfredton Village Green Oval, 11:10am
5th Placed Playoff: Tasmania vs. Australia Capital Territory @ Alfredton Village Green Oval, 9:30am
7th Placed Playoff: Western Australia vs. Victoria White @ Alfredton Village Green Oval, 7:50am