QUEENSLAND came from as much as 13 points down in the second term to kick the last five goals of its AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships clash with Vic Country to come away with the 21-point victory today. The Maroons started slow but once they got going, their class rose to the top, and though it took until the late in the third term to hit the front, they held their opponents scoreless in the fourth to win, 7.11 (53) to 4.8 (32).

Vic Country burst out of the blocks to completely dominate the opening few minutes, winning 15 of the first 17 disposals and that included Dandenong Stingrays’ skipper Zoe Besanko slotting the game’s first on the run. The visitors would control the majority of play, but Queensland weathered blow after blow and instead launched a counter attack.

When Havana Harris set up Lilu Hung on the run for Queensland’s first, the Maroons were in front despite the heavy disparity in disposals and forward half possession. Vic Country would regain control through goals to Kayla Dalgleish and Olivia Wolter back-to-back, with the former setting up the latter. However Queensland would draw within five points at quarter time when a 50m penalty to Dekota Baron handed the Maroons their second goal.

When Dalgleish started peppering the goals in the second term, it looked like Vic Country might build a bigger lead, getting out to as much as 13 points six minutes into the quarter. Except Queensland had other ideas, with Alannah Welsh kicking a classy goal to trim the deficit back to nine points by teh main break.

Talented tall bottom-ager Georja Davies found plenty of the ball in the second term after a quiet first quarter, and quickly stormed to be the highest Queensland disposal winner on the ground. She would spend more time on-ball which allowed Harris to ruck, and the pair took full control in there to combine for 44 disposals by the end of the game.

Still 62 disposals behind the Vics, Queensland had to get its hands on the ball more if it was to win, and that the Maroons did in the third quarter, racking up 85 disposals to 56 and having 12 inside 50s to eight. A second goal to Welsh – who converted from a set shot – and then one from Zimra Hussain who generously opened up the angle without being told to go on the tighter line.

By the final break, Queensland had hit the front, and the likes of Davies, Baron and Harris were proving simply too good. On the other hand, Vic Country’s biggest ball-winner in Sara Howley copped a huge tackle and was left ginger, Claire Mahony was doing run-throughs on the boundary at the break, and then early in the fourth quarter, pick one contender Ash Centra hobbled from the field after being crunched in a marking contest.

While Vic Country used the lemons to make lemonade – and roll other players through the midfield – Queensland kept getting better and showed why they are a title contender. Mia Salisbury had a massive 14-disposal second half, taking control of the clearances alongside Harris and Davies, while Baron was phenomenal in the air and with her disposal.

For Country, Holly Egan provided resistance in defence, while the likes of Jemma Reynolds and Lou Painter played in a couple of roles including midfield and held their own. Bottom-ager Stella Huxtable had some ups and downs – including the encroachment 50m against Baron – but provided some nice ball use and strong work in he air.

The second half was ultimately all Queensland as the home side booted 4.8 (32) to 0.2 (2) and could have blown the visitors away by more had it not been for a couple of unlucky posters and near misses. Carlton and St Kilda father-daughter prospect Sunny Lappin popped up for an impactful five disposals and one goal, two behinds in the final term, finding space and taking some good marks.

After half-time, Queensland had 149 disposals to 118, and 22 to eight inside 50s which ultimately set up the victory. Davies was best on with 24 disposals, nine marks, four tackles, 15 hitouts, four clearances and four inside 50s, while partner-in-crime Harris had 20 touches, seven hitouts, five clearances, four inside 50s and a goal.

Baron (17 disposals, six marks, three tackles and 1.2) was influential throughout four quarters, while Salisbury’s second half that saw her finish with 21 disposals, five marks, six tackles, six clearances and five inside 50s was critical in her side getting the win. Bronte Parker, Annabelle Foat, Hussain and Welsh were also among the better Maroons.

For Vic Country, Howley clocked up a game-high 28 disposals – after 17 in the first half – and also had an equal game-high six clearances, while Egan (20 disposals, three marks and four tackles) tried hard all match. Painter (18 disposals, six tackles, three clearances and five inside 50s) and Reynolds (18 disposals, three marks and five inside 50s) were both busy, as Centra and Dalgleish looked dangerous each time they went near the ball.

QUEENSLAND 2.2 | 3.3 | 5.4 | 7.11 (53)

VIC COUNTRY 3.1 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 (32)

GOALS:
Queensland: A. Welsh 2, L. Hung, D. Baron, Z. Hussain, H. Harris, S. Lappin
Vic Country: K. Dalgleish 2, Z. Besanko, O. Wolter,

RMC BEST:
Queensland: G. Davies, H. Harris, D. Baron, M. Salisbury, B. Parker
Vic Country: S. Howley, L. Painter, J. Reynolds, A. Centra, H. Egan