SIX consecutive goals after quarter time secured Queensland its second win of the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, capping off the national carnival on a high in Western Australia. The Maroons ran out 32-point winners over the Sandgropers with twin towers Havana Harris and Georja Davies having a field day in the win.

Both teams were up for the fight early, but despite Western Australia having the opening inside 50, Queensland would kick the first goal through inclusion and double bottom-ager Mia Geere from a clever snap. The visitors would dominate the opening term inside 50s count with 11 to four, but despite limited chances, it would be WA that led at quarter time through goals to Noa McNaughton and Alicia Blizard getting oiver the back of the defensive zone.

Unfortunately for the home side, they would be the only goals for teh match, as the Sandgropers would have chances, but only add three more behinds after quarter time, as Queensland booted 6.4 to secure the comfortable win.

Harris and Davies were superb throughout the game, and majors to bottom-agers Sunny Lappin and Dekota Baron in the second term saw the Southport duo put Queensland up by 14 points at the main break.

Lily Paterson was outstanding through the midfield in the first half, racking up six clearances from her 18 touches in a staunch defence against the mounting score. Despite some big second halves from Zippy Fish and Molly O’Hehir and fantastic defensive pressure from the likes of Evie Cowcher and Natasha Entwistle, it would not be enough.

Queensland only managed the one goal in the third term – Baron’s second – but it came against the flow with Western Australia having the bulk of the play up its end. At the same time, the Sandgropers were the walking wounded with both Paterson and Grace Freeman helped off, while Alira Fotu had come off early in the match.

Western Australia needed the first goal of the final term to have a chance of bridging the 15-point gap, but instead after a couple of chances going forward, it would be Alannah Welsh who would step up. She iced the game with a set shot and then kicked another off the deck after a long Harris kick inside 50, before Amelia Ella had a classy finish on the run to put the cherry on top.

Harris finished with 27 disposals, two marks, five tackles, three clearances and eight inside 50s, teaming up well with Davies (23 disposals, two marks, six tacjles, 21 hitouts, four clerarances and two sinide 50s). The latter also won Queensland’s MVP for the carnival.

Foat (21 disposals, three clearances), Salisbury (19 disposals, four marks and two clearances) and Lappin (17 disposals, three marks and a goal) were all busy, with Welsh and Baron the multiple goalkickers. Geere and Nyalli Milne were also among the better contributors.

Paterson was best-on for the Sandgropers with 25 touches, five tackles, eight clearances and three inside 50s, while Holly Britton (22 disposlas, two marks, three tackles, two clearances and three inside 50s) was clean off a wing. Cowcher (20 touches, five mraks and seven rebound 50s), O’Hehir (18 disposals, three marks, four tackles, four clearance and four inside 50s), Entwistle (16 tocuhes, eight tackles and four rebounds) were also productive.

Through the midfield, Renee Morgan was busy in the first half (11 disposals) to finish with 18, while Zippy Fish had a quiet start but racked up the ball after half-time with a 15-disposal second half including 10 in the final term.

Queensland’s championships come to a close with a 2-1 record from the carnival, while for Western Australia, it now sets its sights on Vic Country next weekend before South Australia on August 24.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA  2.1 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.4 (16)
QUEENSLAND 1.2 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 7.6 (48)

GOALS:
Western Australia: N. McNaughton, A. Blizard
Queensland: D. Baron 2, A. Welsh 2, M. Geere, S. Lappin

RMC BEST:
Western Australia: L. Paterson, E. Cowcher, H. Britton, M. O’Hehir, N. Entwistle
Queensland: H. Harris, G. Davies, M. Salisbury, A. Foat, M. Geere