VIC Country won its first match of the 2023 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, defeating Western Australia in a thrilling nine-point contest. In an odd game of sorts, seven of the match’s 11 goals were kicked in the opening term, before Country kicked three of the last four to run out 6.7 (43) to 5.4 (34) winners.

Geelong Falcons bottom-agers Sara Howley and Mekah Morrissy were incredible all game for the winners, combining for 53 disposals, while fellow 2006-born star Ash Centra booted two first quarter goals to get Country off the mark. In the end despite the best efforts of speedsters, Zippy Fish, Molly O’Hehir and Evie Cowcher, the visitors were just too strong and held on in a nail-biting final term.

Though often goals are the plays of the day, it was instead two incredible tackles from GWV Rebels’ Jessica Rentsch who mowed down both Kaitlyn Srhoj and Fish coming off half-back, with the latter leading to Lila Keck‘s game-sealing goal.

The first term was one of Vic Country dominance on the stats sheet, but Western Australia still lead by seven points when the siren sounded. Chantal Mason and Centra booted the first two majors of het day in the opening eight and a half minutes, and at that point, Country lead the disposals 46-18, marks 7-1 and clearances 7-0.

It was looking like being a one-sided show until Eva Popovsky won the home side’s first clearance in the ninth minute, and eventually South Fremantle’s Rosie Anderson got her team on the board. She was followed soon by Sandgroper key forwards, Anjelique Raison and Olivia Wolmarans who nailed one either side of Centra’s second. A late goal to Grace Freeman made it four of the last five majors in favour of the home side to lead at the first break.

Vic Country had 26 more disposals (70-44) and six more clearances (11-5), but Western Australia had more inside 50s (8-6) and were dominating the hitouts with the height advantage of Kate Newson and Brooke Edwards. After the high-scoring first term, many expected the match to be a shootout, but just two goals were kicked over the next two quarters and both went the way of Vic Country.

It meant the visitors lead by nine points at the last change with Howley (22 disposals, six marks, five clearances, four inside 50s and three rebound 50s) everywhere for the visitors and Falcons’ teammate Morrissy also kicking two goals from 15 touches and three marks. Cowcher and O’Hehir were the prime movers out of defence, while Fish had a massive seven inside 50s and was being the one looking to pinpoint passes.

Unfortunately for the Sandgropers, for the second week in a row they got smashed at the clearances, but unlike the Allies the week before, Vic Country would do enough to get the win. Subiaco tough nut Madison Dodd kicked a vital goal in the seventh minute off a neat Fish pass to cut the deficit to three points. Though despite the home team doiminating forward half possession, they struggled to find too many targets cleanly within scoring range.

Vic Country’ defence was up to the task, and after Morrissy laid a brilliant run-down tackle on Dodd on the wing, Rentsch followed suit with back-to-back bone-crunching tackles. Eventually it was fitting that Howley, the dominant ball-winner on the ground spotted Keck inside 50. She marked and duly delivered to seal the game for Country and ensure her side came away with a win from the national carnival.

Howley finished her bottom-age carnival with a massive 31 disposals, seven marks, six clearances, five inside 50s, five rebound 50s and three tackles, while Morrissy had 22 touches, three marks, four clearances, three tackles and two goals.

Centra added 18 disposals, five marks and three clearances to her 2.3, spending time through the middle in the second half. Dandenong Stingrays trio, Jemma Ramsdale, Meg Robertson and Mikayla Williamson also had their moments with Keck stepping up when it mattered.

Cowcher (18 disposals, three marks, two inside 50s, five rebound 50s and three tackles) and O’Hehir (18 disposals, two marks, two inside 50s, two rebound 50s and three tackles) were both able to provide dash and dare down the ground, while Fish (16 disposals, four marks, five tackles and nine inside 50s) continued her fantastic championships.

Dodd was solid throughout the entire match with 15 disposals, four marks, five tackles and a goal, while Ella Slocombe had a team-high six clearances from 14 disposals. Jaime Henry, Natasha Entwistle and Raison were the other main ball-winners for the Sandgropers in the loss.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 5.4 (34)
VICTORIA COUNTRY 3.0 | 4.3 | 5.7 | 6.7 (43)

GOALS:
Western Australia: R. Anderson, A. Raison, O. Wolmarans, G. Freeman, M. Dodd
Victoria Country: A. Centra 2, M. Morrissy 2, C. Mason, L. Keck

RMC BEST:
Western Australia: E. Cowcher, M. O’Hehir, Z. Fish, M. Dodd, E. Slocombe
Victoria Country: S. Howley, M. Morrissy, A. Centra, J. Ramsdale, M. Robertson