WESTERN Australia makes its long awaited arrival into the 2024 AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships when the Sangropers play host to Queensland at Pentanet Stadium tomorrow. The clash was moved from Revo Fitness Stadium to West Perth’s home deck, with the visitors also playing their final game of the national carnival.

DETAILS

Saturday, August 3 @ 11:30am AWST
Pentanet Stadium
Live streamed via afl.com.au

STATE OF PLAY

Queensland’s shock loss to the Allies in Round 2 of the national carnival meant the Sunshine State cannot take out the overall title unless there is roughly a 20-goal turnaround between the Maroons and Vic Metro. However they will want to finish off on a high with a win in their sole away game. Western Australia is featuring for the first time and with a second game against Vic Country next weekend in Melbourne, will want to build up some confidence and momentum.

CHANGES

Queensland has made five changes from its loss to to the Allies, with a crucial inclusion being that of Brisbane Lions Academy co-skipper Isabella McDonough who recovered from a shoulder injury to get in a couple of QAFLW games before the clash. She will provide some important speed on the ball, while over-ager Laura Roy also returns, as does star double bottom-agers Molly Ferguson and Mia Geere alongside top-ager Neive Ryan.

Going out of the team are the 2008-born rotations of Harlee McIlwain and Raffi Baviello, as well as bottom-age ruck Monique Corrigan, over-ager Skye White and potentially the most crucial, speedy outside runner Kaiya Hides.

Western Australia of course has no changes due to it being the first match for the Sandgropers. However in terms of injuries, the likes of Claudia Wright, Carys D’Addario and Olivia Crane will all miss the championships, with leg, hip and knee injuries respectively. Other key players missing are Mia Russo and Juliet Kelly.

ONES TO WATCH

From the home side, the top-end talent across both top and bottom-age brackets is very strong. Zippy Fish and Molly O’Hehir provide explosive speed on the inside that will worry the Maroons midfielders. Critically, O’Hehir has the height to match up one the non-ruck out of Havana Harris or Georja Davies and is one of the few players that has not only the size but the speed and endurance to be able to go with them around the ground.

On the outside, the combination of Holly Britton and Megan Norbury provides a couple of strong defensive wingers, the question will be on whether they provide the same attack that Nyalli Milne and potentially McDonough offer. Inside the attacking 50 the Maroons have shown to have plenty of options that will stretch the West Australian defence, and Dekota Baron will likely have Taya Chambers for company.

Natasha Entwistle has a few options to lineup on such as Alannah Welsh or Sunny Lappin who are both dangerous inside 50, while Tiani Teakle could play up either end depending on how the match is panning out. Up the West Australian attacking end, the athletic forwards in Olivia Wolmarans, Alicia Blizard and Alira Fotu are all tall and can win the ball in the air or at ground level, while the clean hands of bottom-ager Lucy Greenwood and goal smarts of Noa McNaughton is exciting.

For Queensland, Siobhan Ross and Farrandai Hopkins have been rock solid in the back 50, while the return of Roy will help the Maroons settle back there further. Further afield though capable of playing on any line is Zimra Hussain who has been on a tear in the QAFLW.

PREDICTION

Queensland should have the extra availabilities to get the job done, though are still missing the likes of Heidi Talbot, Tara Harrington and Ava Usher who would provide speed on the ball. The teams have plenty of quicks smattered around talls, and the homeground advantage will ensure Western Australia makes a good go of it. If Queensland plays like it did against Vic Country then the Maroons should finish off with a win, but if they drop the level like they did against the Allies, then the Sandgropers are more than good enough to win.