A HARD-RUNNING and fierce Allies outfit has shaken the 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships up with a 15-point win over Queensland at Brighton Homes Arena today. The Allies led at every break, and even when challenged regained momentum to salute, 8.3 (51) to 5.6 (36) in ideal conditions.

Coming off a 94-point loss to Vic Metro a fortnight earlier, the Allies were heavy underdogs against a Queensland side that had accounted for Vic Country at the same venue a week earlier. But despite the best efforts of twin towers Havana Harris and Georja Davies, the sheer will and belief of the Allies group got them over the line.

After not kicking a goal in the first half hour against Vic Metro, the Allies got on the board through Priya Bowering from a set shot. Fellow Tasmanian and inclusion for the match Sophie Strong was busy out of the middle early, as were Giants Academy member Amelie Prosser-Shaw and Northern Territory’s Marika Carlton.

Queensland did respond with forward half momentum later in the quarter, but only managed the couple of behinds, with the defensive work of Mackenzie Williams and Ellie Hall clearing the ball from danger on several occasions. They, along with Prosser-Shaw would finish the term with six touches, while Harris led all-comers with eight.

Straight out of the opening break any worry about the Allies dropping off was quickly dispelled after Emma Stark snapped a classy goal from the pocket following a near miss from Taylor Smith who had been involved to that point.

Tatyana Perry shuffled the ball to Ellie Veerhuis who tumbled the pill and found the safe arms of Ava Read. Known for her deadeye accuracy, Read never looked like missing, and the score read 19-2 midway through the quarter.

Both teams were still feeling the pressure and making mistakes, but Queensland finally got on the board after some forward forays via Sunny Lappin who marked off a Kaiya Hides inside 50. The Carlton and St Kilda father-daughter eligible talent put it straight through the big sticks, and the home side was now up and about.

Though the Allies defence was under all sorts of pressure and making errors, Queensland was not finding the going any easier, rushing at times and spraying chances on goal. By half-time, the Lappin goal was the sole major for the home side and the Allies’ lead had increased to 12 points.

Despite trailing, Queensland showed against Vic Country that it has the capacity to charge down a lead, and it looked that way when the Maroons won the opening clearance and inside 50 to get it to Zimra Hussain who, just outside her distance found Alannah Welsh on the lead. The bottom-ager had spent the first half in defence, but made an immediate impact up forward, kicking the first goal of the second half and closing the game to a straight kick.

The Allies refused to yield, and when Prosser-Shaw was run-down from behind by Bronte Parker at half-forward, the Queensland crowd roared for holding the ball. It looked that way until it slipped low and the umpire called for a trip. That led to a kick inside 50 and Read to snap her second goal and relieve the pressure, answering Queensland’s major.

The rest of the quarter was simply outstanding from the visitors who would kick three more goals to one, including a terrific checkside goal from Emma Juneja who clunked a contested mark in the goalsquare. Majors to Lucy Thompson off a step out of traffic and Isla Wiencke after a sliding mark inside 50 blew the margin out to 30 points and all of a sudden an Allies were completely on top.

Queensland did kick a major late in the term through Lappin, who ran on from an advantage call following a great burst down the corridor from Nyalli Milne. Though the goal helped the Maroons’ cause, they still faced a 23-point deficit at the final break.

Certainly boasting the firepower to draw four goals out of the final 20 minutes, once again the home side attacked early, winning the first clearance and inside 50, but missed a couple of chances in the first few minutes. Davies almost had one for the highlight reels after marking 55m out and baulking two players, but unfortunately the kick drifted and went out of bounds.

One could have been forgiven for thinking the Allies were the ones down, charging forward with reckless abandonment at times. Though it did prove dangerous, and once costly when Dekota Baron and Chloe Gaunt combined to the open side of the ground and get it to a loose Welsh inside 50, the Allies were not going to slow down.

The Welsh major was one of only two for the Queenslander’s in the quarter as stoppage after stoppage and tackle after tackle slowly took time off the clock to the Allies’ favour. Then with the Allies needing just the one major to seal it, they charged forward and out of nowhere, Prosser-Shaw slammed the ball on the boot and it sailed over the goal umpires head.

With three minutes remaining on the clock, it put the final nail in the coffin and the Allies players flocked from everywhere to celebrate. Lilu Hung would kick Queensland’s fifth major with a minute to play, but the time ran out shortly after and the siren sounded for an incredible upset win.

In an even team performance, bottom-ager Wiencke picked up 22 disposals, five clearances and five inside 50s, as well as kicking that crucial goal for her side to go 30 points ahead in the third term. She was well supported by Tasmanians Williams (21 touches, eight rebounds) and Strong (17 disposals, four marks, seven tackles and four clearances).

The Allies defence held up incredibly well with Ashley Patton playing in a new role behind the ball, while Danika McDonald and Tatyana Perry impressed in winning some crucial one-on-ones. Prosser-Shaw provided great run down the outside and getting it forward as well.

For Queensland, Harris (24 disposals, four marks, six hitouts, eight clearances and seven inside 50s) was the clear star, while Davies had 20 touches, five marks, four tackles, 11 hitouts, three clearances and four inside 50s.

Mia Salisbury (19 disposals, three clearances and four inside 50s) had a big second term and was strong throughout, while Lappin and Milne provided some exciting moments and Hides found plenty of the ball.

Both sides have one more game for the national carnival, with the Maroons taking on Western Australia in Perth, while the Allies face reigning champions South Australia at Thebarton Oval.

QUEENSLAND 0.2 | 1.2 | 3.4 | 5.6 (36)
ALLIES 1.0 | 3.2 | 7.3 | 8.3 (51)

GOALS:
Queensland: S. Lappin 2, A. Welsh 2, L. Hung
Allies: A. Read 2, P. Bowering, E. Stark, E. Juneja, L. Thompson, I. Wiencke, A. Prosser-Shaw

RMC BEST:
Queensland: H. Harris, G. Davies, M. Salisbury, N. Milne, S. Lappin
Allies: I. Wiencke, S. Strong, M. Williams, A. Prosser-Shaw, E. Hall