SOUTH Australia will head into the gold medal match of the 2024 School Sport Australia 15 and Under Girls Championships after winning in a tight slog against Victoria in yesterday’s semi-finals. Accuracy proved to be the difference between the teams, with the tri-colours kicking four goals from five scoring shots compared to Victoria’s two from nine in the 4.1 (25) to 2.7 (19) victory.

Having claimed the last two Under 16s and Under 18s titles, South Australia’s missing piece is at the Under 15s level, but is now one win away from claiming that as well, taking on New South Wales in the decider.

In what was a fierce contest from start to finish, a three-goal second term proved the difference for the Croweaters, with Lillian Thomas proving a force up forward. She kicked the only goal of the first term with a great follow-up after missing a handball to slot one under pressure on the run, then kicked two more in the second to finish with three at half-time.

While South Australia did not kick another score for the game, the defence did incredibly well in limiting Victoria in the process, keeping the ‘Big V’ to just two goals for the match and one after half-time. Charlotte O’Sullivan kicked the other second quarter goal for the Croweaters, while for the Vics, Olivia Diviticos and Cleo Barbakas got on the scoreboard.

While Thomas was undoubtedly key up forward, the likes of Izabella Nisbet and Lily Whiteman were also important in getting the undefeated Croweaters through to the last match of the tournament. Iris Newman and Charlotte Copson were the other standouts for the South Australians in the win.

For Victoria, Caulfield Grammar’s Charlotte Embelton and future Stingray Charlee Winter Smith were named as their side’s best, while Mischa Simmons, Maya Duane and Sage Dennis were all impressive despite the defeat.

South Australia goes on to face the Rams in the grand final to determine the gold and silver medals, while Victoria will do battle with Queensland for bronze honours.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 1.0 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.1 (25)
VICTORIA 0.2 | 1.2 | 2.4 | 2.7 (19)

GOALS:
South Australia: L. Thomas 3, C. O’Sullivan
Victoria: O. Diviticos, C. Barbakas

BEST:
South Australia: I. Nisbet, L. Whiteman, I. Newman, L. Thomas, C. Copson
Victoria: C. Embelton, C. Winter Smith, M. Simmons, S. Dennis, M. Duane

NSW Rams Queensland to reach decider

New South Wales has further established itself as a growing pathway with an impressive two-goal win over Queensland to remain undefeated across its first four matches at the national carnival. The Rams will head into the final against South Australia full of confidence after a straight-shooting display saw them win, 6.0 (36) to 3.6 (24).

Most of New South Wales’ best work was done in the third term, providing it to be the premiership quarter. Queensland drew within two points in the first half of the quarter, before a goal to Grace Madden gave her side breathing space and the Rams went on with it from there.

They piled on two more goals to stretch the buffer out to 19 points at the last chance, and while the Maroons did kick the only goal of the final term, ultimately could not impact the scoreboard enough to get the win.

Incredibly, New South Wales had six individual goalkickers including Emily Hollingsworth who was named best on ground in the victory, while Charlie Gibson was again a standout for the winners. Myla Tucker also caught the eye of the coaches, as did Annalise Crawley and Quin Neyland.

For the Maroons, Edie Fraser was productive kicking a goal and named among the best, as was Ameleia Murray, while Tara Nieass was the other goalkicker on the side. Potential Hawthorn and Fremantle father-daughter prospect Sierra Croad (Trent) and Kya Wills-Rawlings were noticed by the coaches, with Asia Single stepping up as well.

NEW SOUTH WALES 2.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 (36)
QUEENSLAND 0.2 | 1.3 | 2.5 | 3.6 (24)

GOALS:
New South Wales: E. Hollingsworth, G. Hynes, K. Eagles, C. Gibson, J. McFadden, G. Madden
Queensland: E. Fraser, T. Nieass, A. Murray

BEST:
New South Wales: E. Hollingsworth, M. Tucker, G. Gibson, A. Crawley, Q. Neyland
Queensland: S. Croad, K. Wills-Rawlings, A. Murray, E. Fraser, A. Single