SOUTH Australia’s stranglehold on junior girls development trophies continued over the weekend with the Croweaters proving too strong for a gallant New South Wales in the gold medal match of the School Sport Australia 15 and Under Girls Championships.

In a low-scoring contest that was for the most part tightly contested between the arcs, both sides stood up when required, and it was a matter of individual passages that created scoring opportunities. After going goalless in the first term, the Croweaters kicked a goal in each of the remaining three quarters – while keeping their opponents goalless – to come away with the 20-point victory at Southport.

There was not much separating the sides in the match, as the first score came off the boot of Lillian Thomas – who would go on to provide a few headaches inside 50 for the New South Wales defence – while up the other end, Grace Madden looked to have put her side in front just before the siren but the bouncing ball cannoned into the post.

It took until the 12th minute of the second term to get a goal with Chloe Nettle clunking a great mark after a quick kick from a forward stoppage. She went back and made no mistake, then almost had two in three minutes but was run-down by Isabella Evans in a desperate goal-saving tackle. That was not the only goal-saving tackle for the half, with Maiya Foote mowing down Madden whose eyes lit up running inside 50.

Emily Hollingsworth – best on in the Bluebirds’ semi-final – was finding plenty of the ball early and teaming up well with Evie Henley who got better as the game went on. Genevieve Hynes was also productive running hard along a wing, while Emma McCallum in midfield and Olivia Sullivan down back caught the eye.

Nettle was proving the biggest headache for the Bluebirds with another quick snap in the first minute of the third term that just hit the post, but the Croweaters could sense the premiership quarter could be just that for their title hopes. Thomas had another chance on goal, but it would be defensive pressure inside 50 that created the second goal, as Charlotte O’Sullivan laid a fantastic tackle then went back and slotted the set shot goal from 35m.

New South Wales had a couple of late chances but the South Australian defence was up to the task. A quick snap missed and then a set shot off the boot of Sooke Paley also went to the right, making the task a straight two-goal margin at the last change.

South Australia was not going to take the foot off the gas though, as Thomas gathered well at half-forward from the first inside 50, sidestepped and opponent and took her chance, but was just rushed on the goalline. Most of the attacking was done up the Croweaters end though, and it rarely looked like they were going to concede a score to lose.

The work done by Sullivan in particular through defence was superb, taking multiple contested intercept marks, particularly in the second half. However the weight of inside 50s would eventually break the dam wall with South Australian ruck Lara Gribben – who had been outstanding throughout the game at the stoppages – sharked it from the stoppage and threw it on the boot to the hotspot.

There, Ella Anderson roved it perfectly, got boot to ball and it bounced true, giving the Croweaters a 20-point lead. It was essentially the match-winner with both sides having some chances, but ultimately it was mostly the winning side who had field position, and neither team added to that score of 3.5 (23) to 0.3 (3).

It was an even performance across the board from South Australia, with Gribben doing a mountain of work in the ruck, while Maia Freemantle and Ashleigh Heggie were working hard between the arcs. Nettle, Thomas and O’Sullivan proved tough to contain inside 50, while Iris Newman also had some eye-catching plays.

Henley and Sullivan were standouts for New South Wales, with the likes of Hollingsworth and Hynes very good, and the likes of Oasis Huender and Charlie Gibson working hard to win the ball for their side in the tough defeat.

NEW SOUTH WALES 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.3 (3)
SOUTH AUSTRALIA 0.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 3.5 (23)

GOALS:
New South Wales: Nil.
South Australia: C. Nettle, C. O’Sullivan, E. Anderson

RMC BEST:
New South Wales: O. Sullivan, E. Henley, E. Hollingsworth, G. Hynes, E. McCallum
South Australia: L. Thomas, L. Gribben, C. Nettle. A. Heggie, I. Newman

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Queensland comprehensively took home the bronze medal with a 34-point victory over Victoria in the third placed playoff. After trailing by five points at quarter time and half-time, the Maroons edged their way back into the contest and piled on seven goals to one after the main break to come away with the 9.6 (60) to 4.2 (26) win. Grace Cooper was the only multiple goalkicker for the Maroons, while Evie Baker was named best on ground.

Tasmania punched above its weight against Western Australia to come from behind and kick two goals to one in the fourth term and run over the top of the Sandgropers, 4.6 (30) to 3.7 (25) and finish in fifth spot. Mia Jones was named best on for the winners, with Mia Barwick also impressive and among the better players. Tahlia Head was named best for the Sandgropers.

The Suns and Lions Academy combined side grabbed its first win of the carnival while keeping Australian Capital Territory (ACT) goalless. The Suns and Lions were also goalless in the first half, but found the avenues to go with five second half majors to come away with the 5.4 (34) to 0.4 (4). Shay McDonald (Suns and Lions Academy) and Lyla Wescombe (ACT) were the pick of their respective sides.