VICTORIA Navy turned around a loss to Queensland earlier in the week to defeat the Maroons in the match that mattered most, winning the 15 and Under Girls title at the School Sport Australia Championships. Penetrating the the Maroons’ defence en route to the title, Navy made the most of a breeze and their chances to get up by 12 points, 3.2 (20) to 1.2 (8)

Since going down to Queensland by a point in the opening round robin game in the group stage, Victoria Navy have hardly missed a beat. They carried that form into the grand final by kicking the opening two goals of the game through Adele Coppola and Piper Dixon. Both had proven to be goal-scoring threats, with Dixon in particular a headache for opposition defences, booting nine goals across the five games.

Earning the chance to reply, Emma Stevens was quick by hand to foot 15m out from goal, scooping up a loose ball and snapping around her body to get her side on the board. With Mia Geere, Molly Ferguson and Enah Desic all having impressive games, it was Stevens to get her side up and running, and close the game to five points at the main break.

The breeze, though not potent, was still an advantage, and Vic Navy was sure to take further advantage of it in the third term. Early on, the Maroons had their chances with Ameleia Murray having a chance on goal after being run down but pushed in the back. Her set shot fell short and the Navy defence cleared it well.

Navy then counterpunched with an effort of their own. Though Coppola had a chance at her second and missed to the right, Dixon would not miss her set shot. Leading out well and taking a strong mark off a lace-out pass from Kim Bell, the forward made no mistake with the set shot, handing her side a 12-point buffer at the final break.

Brylee Anderson and Grace Dillow were prime movers for Navy, with Emily Rankine continually stepping up to have nice plays, and Bailee Martin always looking dangerous. All Navy had to do was stop Queensland from kicking a couple of goals with a two-goal breeze.

Geere refused to lie down in what was a clear standout performance from a Queensland perspective, as she tried to will her team on to victory. Desic had a shot on goal in the early stages of the fourth term but it wildly went out on the full. Grace Frost was the next one up with a chance but again it went wide in the breeze and out of bounds. Then came Geere.

Lining up from long range, the talented midfielder went back and took it upon herself to launch towards goal. On target the whole way, it just touched the fingers of the Navy defence on the line. Ultimately despite her and her teammates’ best efforts, Navy were able to close out the win.

Scarlett Marsh played a key role in the victory and as named best-on, with Anderson and Dixon also clearly among the better players. Captain Mietta Datson was able to accept the trophy after several tough efforts throughout the game, while Ruby Geurts and Dillow were also important.

For the Maroons, Torah Luadaka and Edie Fraser joined Geere, Desic and Ferguson among the best in what had been a terrific carnival. Though they fell short, Queensland showed it will be a force to be reckoned with over the next few years having won the same title in 2022, and many of those 2007-born players already having an impact at Under 18s level.

VICTORIA NAVY 2.0 | 2.0 | 3.1 | 3.2 (20)
QUEENSLAND 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.2 (8)

GOALS:
Victoria Navy: P. Dixon 2, A. Coppola
Queensland: E. Stevens

BEST:
Victoria Navy: S. Marsh, B. Anderson, P. Dixon, R. Geurts, G. Dillow
Queensland: M. Geere, E. Desic T. Luadaka, E. Fraser, M. Ferguson