AFTER having opposite results from their respective first matches, the Allies bounced back from a 94-point defeat to roll Queensland who had defeated Vic Country at the same Brighton Homes Arena a week earlier. The Allies secured the 15-point win, with players from both sides impressing. We took note of some of the players who caught the eye in the clash.

Queensland:

#10 Mia Salisbury (Bond University / Gold Coast Suns Academy)
Midfielder | 168cm | 27/06/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 6 tackles, 3 clearances, 4 inside 50s

After an impressive first game, Salisbury was again busy for the home team, finding her fair share of the ball and starting strongly. She had a quieter last term, but overall still held her own, with her defensive pressure and ability to get into the right spots to win the ball, notable. She is a slick user of the ball and generally makes good decisions with ball in hand. Her follow-up work when she does turn it over is also a positive.

#13 Kaiya Hides (Maroochydore / Brisbane Lions Academy)
Wing | 167cm | 09/02/2006

Stats: 19 disposals, 3 marks, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s

Though at times her efficiency on the run can let her down, Hides had a huge game in terms of her run and carry. She tucks the ball under the arm and backs herself down the field with some great speed and her work rate is fantastic. Quite often she got involved in one-twos in transition, and her fast first few steps and slick moves – such as a gather and spin to kick to Milne at centre half-forward late in the third term really caught the eye. Without pressure, Hides can hit some nice passes and even set up the first Queensland goal to Lappin, with her improvement coming from that execution on the move.

#15 Sunny Lappin (Southport / Gold Coast Suns Academy)
Forward | 169cm | 29/11/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 2 goals

Looked the most dangerous forward on the day, and added two goals to her one from last week. She finally got her side on the board in the second term after a nice lead and comfortable set shot, before kicking another via an advantage call that caught the Allies defence napping. She had a couple more chances, but one tight angle set shot early in the fourth went out on the full across the face, and she set up another to Welsh deep inside 50. Clean at ground level and moved well in congestion.

#16 Nyalli Milne (Bond University / Gold Coast Suns Academy)
Wing | 171cm | 26/05/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 3 marks, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Her role on the wing has been eye-catching for the speedster who few could beat in a foot race. She actually started the game slowly with four touches to half-time, but not through lack of effort with Milne consistently covering the ground well. Her second half was huge, picking up 11 touches and providing enormous run both down the wing and the corridor. Having had an interrupted season due to injury, Milne is firing on all cylinders now, and was able to work back to be behind the ball and drive it forward in transition.

#23 Alannah Welsh (Southport / Gold Coast Suns Academy)
Utility | 170cm | 23/11/2007

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 6 tackles, 2 rebound 50s, 2 goals

An ultimate three-line utility, Welsh started the match in defence, then moved on-ball in the second term before going into attack and hitting the scoreboard in the second half. Inside 50, Welsh is one of the more damaging players and she kicked one from a set shot in the opening minute of the first term following a smart lead and then her second to give her side a sniff midway through the final term. She set up Lilu Hung with the last goal of the day too, and has a nice balance of aerial and ground level work.

#24 Siobhan Ross (Southport / Gold Coast Suns Academy)
Defender | 171cm | 16/03/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 7 rebound 50s

The top-age defender has done her draft chances no harm with a couple of rock solid games from the defensive 50. She is often involved in general play, hanging out as the extra number just outside stoppages in the defensive half, and then looking to springboard from there. Strong one-on-one and competitive, Ross repelled Allies attacks time and time again, and was clean at ground level as well.

#32 Georja Davies (Southport / Gold Coast Suns Academy)
Ruck / Midfielder | 183cm | 17/01/2007

Stats: 21 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 11 hitouts, 4 clearances, 4 inside 50s

After having an okay start to the game without a massive influence, Davies was arguably best for her side in the second half, backing up her mammoth first game. She just does it all both in the air and at ground level, playing between ruck and midfield and showing off her athleticism. Her defensive pressure really stood out in the loss, and her desire during the third term when the chips were down was admirable. She almost had an all-time goal after marking 55m out and baulking two players, but her long-range shot from 40m got caught in the breeze and sailed out of bounds.

#33 Havana Harris (Bond University / Gold Coast Suns Academy)
Midfielder / Ruck | 181cm | 01/07/2006

Stats: 24 disposals, 4 marks, 6 hitouts, 8 clearances, 7 inside 50s

One of the few four-quarter performers even when the going got tough, Harris starred from start to finish. She had no less than four touches in any given quarter, and it was no surprise that in her quietest quarter – third – the Allies started to get going. She was enormous in the opening term, clean at ground level and in the air, and won a stack of clearances working alongside a plethora of rucking partners. In most teams she would be the obvious first-choice ruck, but for Queensland, Harris has the ability to roll through as a midfielder and her side is better for it. Her athleticism was once again on display.

Allies:

#1 Mischa Barwin (Lauderdale / Tasmania Devils)
Forward | 164cm | 04/12/2006

Stats: 12 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 4 inside 50s

Barwin’s game two performance was a step up to her game one effort, simply because she really honed in on her strengths, without trying to do too much. She has fantastic evasion and speed that always makes it tempting to baulk and fend-off opponents, and while she still did that, she had greater impact in being able to get the ball away cleanly. The courage she showed in a marking contest early in the second term was really impressive, and she even won a holding the ball free kick late in the same quarter. Her kicking when she is up and about can be incredible damaging too.

#2 Marika Carlton (Palmerston Magpies / Northern Territory)
Wing | 159cm | 03/08/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s

The Palmerston young gun and NTFL Women’s Rising Star showed she can mix it with teh best, as the bottom-ager worked her magic on the wing. She was involved in just about everything through the first half, creating run and carry down the field and linking up well by hand. At times she looked a little rushed with her work, but her defensive pressure was enormous. She did fade off in the second half with just two disposals, but had been the spark through the first half.

#5 Sophie Strong (North Hobart / Tasmania Devils)
Midfielder / Forward | 166cm | 17/10/2006

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 7 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 2 rebound 50s

Having only played one game this season due to injury, there was a great unknown about Strong’s return, but the Allies coaching staff had no qualms throwing her into the middle to start the game. The Tasmanian had a few big hits – both being crunched and crunching others – not holding back in her attack on the ball and her work around the stoppages. She spent a lot of time on-ball and resting forward, but worked up the ground well to help out in the back half of the ground too. A promising first-up performance.

#7 Taylor Smith (Cardiff Hawks / Sydney Swans Academy)
Forward | 168cm | 27/09/2006

Stats: 7 disposals, 1 mark, 2 tackles, 1 behind

Her stats might not jump off the page, but her impact, particularly in that first half, certainly did. She clunked a great contested mark to start the game going back with the flight, then had a massive run-down tackle in the middle of the ground on Aleah Stringer to win a free kick. Her attack on the ball and opponent was outstanding, and even though she did not win a lot of it, had her big moments. Smith had one set shot that she will rue missing from straight in front, but her pressure – even if not rewarded for the tackle or pinged in a free kick – was what you expect from forwards.

#9 Ash Patton (Tuggeranong Valley / GWS Giants Academy)
Defender | 170cm | 26/09/2006

Stats: 16 disposals, 1 mark, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 4 rebound 50s

After not being able to impact as a forward in the heavy loss to Vic Metro, the AFLW Academy member was thrown behind the ball against Queensland to use her kicking skills and positioning to advantage. She found her fair share of the ball, provided rebound and looked to win a lot of her touches in creating space to run and carry. Her speed behind the ball was important, and though she is so damaging in front of goal, showed off her versatility up the other end.

#11 Lucy Thompson (Ulverstone / Tasmania Devils)
Midfielder / Forward | 170cm | 14/06/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 4 tackles, 2 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Had a big third term where she set up a goal to Emma Juneja with a thumping kick from 45m which her Allies teammate marked on the goalline. She then hit the scoreboard herself with a classy goal off a step out of nothing which got her team up and about and made it a four-goal buffer midway through the premiership quarter. She also spent significant time on-ball and showed great strength around the the stoppages as well.

#12 Amelie Prosser-Shaw (East Coast Eagles / GWS Giants Academy)
Wing | 175cm | 14/11/2006

Stats: 13 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal

Another Allies player who just played her role and worked hard off the wing, setting up Priya Bowering for the first goal of the game. She had a really busy first term and put her body on the line while intercepting well behind the ball. Prosser-Shaw provided some run to complement the inside ball-winning of her teammates, and she kicked off the non-preferred left before following up, being run-down but legged at half-forward and earning a free which led to Ava Read‘s second goal. She kicked the sealer herself with three minutes left, kicking it off the right from a step after waiting outside the forward stoppage.

#13 Tatyana Perry (Palmerston Magpies / Northern Territory)
Defender | 171cm | 28/02/2006

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

State might suggest that Perry did not have an effective kick in the game, but that is incredibly harsh as quite a few of her disposals at the least went to her teammate’s advantages. Always a clean ball user at ground level and quick by hand or foot, Perry’s attack on the contest really stood out, and she peeled off from half-back to get to contests and win crucial one-on-ones. Her run-down tackle midway through the third term highlighted this, and she has a great sidestep as well.

#18 Danika McDonald (Federal / Northern Territory)
Defender | 174cm | 06/06/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 4 marks, 1 tackle, 1 hitout, 2 rebound 50s

The surprise inclusion to the Allies’ side, McDonald showed promising signs as a bottom-ager for Northern Territory in the Coates Talent League Girls competition, and held her own against quality opposition in the match. McDonald took several strong intercept marks and provided great composure, not overawed by the occasions. She did well under pressure and had her head on a swivel with her work to clear the danger.

#22 Mackenzie Williams (North Hobart / Tasmania Devils)
Defender | 171cm | 26/06/2006

Stats: 21 disposals, 2 marks, 1 tackle, 1 clearance, 1 inside 50, 8 rebound 50s

The Tasmanian defender loves to drive her legs from defence and she did that consistently in the win. She mopped up time and time again, and provided important run and carry in transition. Her powerful kick can clear the danger, though at times her decision making could improve, kicking it long to a contest 50m out with 30 seconds on the clock in the third term rather than the safer short pass to the pocket. Still, her aggressive gamestyle is what makes her the player she is, and her ability to be that 80m player – backing herself to run 30m then kick 50m – is a point of difference to a lot of others.

#27 Ellie Veerhuis (Figtree / Sydney Swans Academy)
Midfielder / Defender | 173cm | 18/01/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 clearance, 1 inside 50, 1 rebound 50

Perhaps the biggest surprise packet from the game, the Swans Academy member has played some good footy at Coates Talent League level, but really got her chance to shine predominantly through the midfield for the Allies. Often a rebounding defender for the Swans, the depth of the Allies’ back six allowed Veerhuis more midfield minutes, and she held her own against quality opposition. She even had shot on goal after a nice follow-up effort winning a couple of touches in transition, but it her flying chance went to the right. Her kick inside 50 to Read in the second term set up a goal too.

#28 Isla Wiencke (Belconnen / GWS Giants Academy)
Midfielder / Forward | 174cm | 30/03/2007

Stats: 22 disposals, 2 marks, 3 tackles, 5 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 goal

A powerful performance from the Giants Academy member who is a promising player for next year. Others might have more polish, but Wiencke is a contested beast who really stepped it up against bigger-bodied midfielders. She won a team-high five clearances – second most in the match – and team-high five inside 50s – third most in the match – while also resting forward to take a great sliding mark and convert the set shot goal. Wiencke won four hardball gets and eight looseball gets, ranked first and equal first in the match. Best-on for the Allies.

#29 Ellie Hall (Murray Bushrangers / Giants Academy)
Defender | 174cm | 07/07/2006

Stats: 15 disposals, 6 marks, 1 tackle, 1 inside 50, 5 rebound 50s

Another rock solid game from the intercept defender who found the going a little easier compared to the first match. Though perhaps a little less individual touches, Hall had some great one-on-one wins, and clunked good marks with smart positioning. Her ability to clear the ball from danger consistently was important, and the 18-year-old was posing a problem for the opposition, winning a free kick midway through the third term for chopping of the arms.

#39 Madeleine Quinn (UTS Bats / Sydney Swans Academy)
Ruck | 185cm | 10/02/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 21 hitouts, 3 inside 50s

Considering the opposition, Quinn was phenomenal and it was easy to see why she drew praise from coaches in the bests. Her ruck work was strong, and thanks to her height, she was able to get first hands to it consistently. Battling against two top five picks over the next two years – and a host of other athletic talls – Quinn was forced to essentially go alone in the ruck as the only nominated ruck for the Allies. The need for speed around the ground proved important, and while she is still learning some fundamentals of the game, had a nice delivering kick inside 50 to Thompson after mowing down Davies in a tackle which is near-impossible to do. Athletic with great defensive pressure.