A NINE goals to two second half was the catalyst behind Queensland’s second win at the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships as the Maroons closed out their national carnival with a 12-goal victory over the Allies.

The match started in overcast conditions, but as soon as the clouds opened up to reveal the Queensland sun, the home side opened up the Allies’ defence to boot 9.3 to 2.1 in the second half and record a huge 15.7 (97) to 4.1 (25) win.

Queensland always looked in control of the match, booting the first three goals of the game and raced out to a 20-0 lead. Key players such as Havana Harris and Sophie Peters were amongst it early with six disposals apiece in the first term, and Peters kicking a great running goal after sidestepping her opponent on the mark. Allies’ Sophia de Castella had a huge nine-disposal first term to lead all-comers on the ground.

It took until the 16h minute of the opening term for the Allies to finally convert a goal – through Swans Academy tall Kendra Blattman – despite only having one less inside 50 for the quarter (8-7). The stoppages were an issue for the Allies in the opening term as Queensland dominated the hitouts (13-8) and clearances (12-4) as underage pairing Lilly Baker and Dekota Baron combined for 12 of those hitouts.

There were danger signs for the Allies early in the second term as Queensland won the first few centre clearances and booted two goals in two minutes – to Rania Crozier and Jacinta Baldwick – and pushed the lead out to 26 points. Baldwick would kick another goal as the wing/forward was looking dangerous, before Sydney Swans Academy member Asha Turner Funk – who was arguably her sides’ best on the day – kicked a much needed major.

The margin had double at half-time following an identical scoring second term despite the Allies evening up the clearances in the match. Both Baron and Harris had brought their tallies to 10 disposals at the half, while Turner Funk and fellow over-age inside midfielder Candice Belbin were the pick of the losing side, combining for 20 disposals, 10 tackles and five clearances.

Much like last week against Vic Country, Queensland showed why the third term is called the premiership quarter as the Maroons piled on five straight goals to one straight major to ultimately close the door on any comeback. In particular, the work of Ella Calleja (eight disposals, two clearances and four inside 50s) and Tara Harrington (eight disposals, three clearances) were superb in stepping up when moved through the middle of the ground.

However the match-winner in that third term was the classy Evie Long who caused all sorts of headaches inside 50 and slotted three goals in a four-minute purple patch to stretch the lead out to 28 off the back of a Sophie Berry goal up the other end. When Nyalli Milne soccered through a major with a minute to play, the margin had blown out to 52 points.

Queensland ensured it would not repeat the previous week where it took the foot off the pedal in the final term, booting four goals to one in the last quarter. Two of those came from over-age talent Brooke Sheridan, with the natural forward thrown inside 50 after playing defence in the first three quarters. The margin got out to as much as 78 points with three minutes remaining, before Tasmanian tall Grace White booted a goal in the final two minutes to ensure the Allies kicked a major in each of the quarters.

Long’s performance was the most influential, with 13 disposals, six marks, three tackles, two inside 50s and those three majors which ultimately sealed the result. She was far from alone inside 50 with Baldwick (15 disposals, three goals), Crozier (13 disposals, five marks and three goals) and Baron (18 disposals, four marks, 14 hitouts and 2.3) all getting amongst it heavily.

Harris was a consistent four-quarter performer with 18 touches, four marks, four tackles, 25 hitouts and five inside 50s, while the exciting duo of Milne and Calleja both combined for 11 inside 50s from 35 touches. Though not winning a stack of it, the AFLW Academy wingers in Sienna McMullen and Peters both had their moments.

For the Allies, Turner Dunk (21 disposals, three marks nine tackles, five clearances, three inside 50s and a goal) was a standout alongside Belbin (15 disposals, six tackles, five clearances and three inside 50s). Tasmanian defender Mackenzie Williams (16 disposals, four marks, two inside 50s and four rebound 50s) worked hard in the defensive 50, with de Castella (15 disposals, five tackles and three inside 50s) busy early.

QUEENSLAND 3.2 | 6.4 | 11.4 | 15.7 (97)
ALLIES 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 4.1 (25)

GOALS:
Queensland: E. Long 3, J. Baldwick 3, R. Crozier 3, D. Baron 2, B. Sheridan 2, S. Peters, N Milne
Allies: A. Turner Funk, K. Blattman, S. Berry, G. White

RMC BEST:
Queensland: E. Long, H. Harris, J. Baldwick, R. Crozier, D. Baron
Allies: A. Turner Funk, C. Belbin, M. Williams, S. de Castella, M. Robinson