QUEENSLAND will be looking for back-to-back wins in the 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, when the Sunshine State plays host for the second time in as many weeks. Coming off a win over Vic Country, the Maroons face the Allies who were humbled by Vic Metro a fortnight ago, as both sides play their second of three games at the carnival.

DETAILS

Saturday, July 13 @ 10:15am AEST
Brighton Homes Arena
Live streamed via afl.com.au

STATE OF PLAY

Queensland moved to 1-0 for the championships with a come-from-behind win over Vic Country last Sunday at the same venue as this match. The Maroons kicked the only four goals of the second half – and last five majors of the game – to run over the top of the Vics by 21 points, 7.11 (53) to 4.8 (32).

The Allies on the other hand never looked a chance against Vic Metro, conceding seven first quarter goals and went 56-1 down against Vic Metro at Blacktown on June 29. They rallied in the third quarter, but conceded the last six goals of the game to lose by 94 points, 17.11 (113) to 2.7 (19).

ONES TO WATCH

In the absence of key players Tara Harrington, Heidi Talbot, Isabella McDonough and of course Ava Usher, the Maroons saw the likes of top-ager Mia Salisbury and bottom-age duo Bronte Parker and Annabelle Foat step up and contribute through midfield.

The tall timber of Havana Harris, Georja Davies and Dekota Baron all impressed and will be tipped to have a huge day against an undersized defence, while Nyalli Milne will add some serious speed on the ball. Even with the absences, Queensland just has too many winners across the park.

For the Allies, Mackenzie Williams will have a critical role as an interceptor, while Emma Juneja has shown how important she can be as a defensive-running wing. The midfield is actually the strongest part of the Allies squad, with Priya Bowering, Lucy Thompson, Isla Wiencke and Imogen Brown helping win the clearances against the Metro side.

A couple of players who showed signs in the first game but will be looking to go even better in this one are talented running duo Emma Stark and Amelie Prosser-Shaw, while Tatyana Perry‘s ball use off half-back and Mischa Barwin evasion in the front half can make a difference.

PREDICTION

At the start of the carnival Queensland was tipped to go unbeaten and expect that to remain true at least for now. The Allies have talented players, but Queensland’s depth across the board – as shown through both the Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions Academies – looks to be too strong. Remaining at home is a bonus for the Maroons, so considering how they performed against Vic Country, should be able to get on top here.

The one area the Allies can look to get on top of is the midfield considering the absences of the Queensland running types, but the big difference between Queensland and Vic Metro is the additional height on-ball. While the Allies mids are bigger bodies who used that against the Metro small and medium types, how that adapts to a 180cm Harris or Davies is a lot different.

Likewise, once Metro got the ball inside 50, the key forwards just dominated in the air, and Queensland’s rotating keys are either just as tall, or have a few centimetres more, which means the way the Allies defend will have to be even tighter. For the Allies to make it a contest, they will need to not only win the midfield – sharking the ruck taps – but also using the ball well going inside 50.

If Queensland applies pressure as expected on the Allies ball carriers to force turnovers, then expect the home side to run the ball down the other end and find the additional tall targets inside 50. The Allies will bring the heat – they laid 66 tackles against Metro – it will just be about the polish and not allowing easy contested marks in the defensive 50.