A MATCH-WINNER with the last kick of the day came off the boot of Georja Davies which helped seal Queensland’s incredible come-from-behind victory over Western Australia on the opening day of the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. Behind the entire match, it took until quite literally the last second for the Maroons to edge in front, but it was the only second that counted in the end in the 9.5 (59) to 8.8 (56) triumph.

In the middle match of a triple-header across two games, the clash was clearly the match of the day with a little bit of everything. Western Australia was on top for the most part, and when Juliet Kelly kicked her state’s third goal in nine minutes to start the second quarter, the Sandgropers lead by 28 points. It was looking more like being a blowout than a thriller, but 50 minutes and seven goals to two later, and it was Queensland celebrating on the final siren.

Western Australia lead by 13 points at the last change and had several forward forays to try and seal the result, but just three behinds were added to the Sandgropers’ score. Instead, Queensland kept coming as the ultra-athletic Aiyana Pritchard kicked a remarkable goal that bent around on a trajectory between the big sticks after initially looking to pass into the pocket.

That was just 25 seconds into the last term. After seven tackles and just four disposals, Sienna Burnham got reward a few minutes later and the deficit was slashed to two points. Misses to Lucy Greenwood and Mia Russo stretched it out to four which is what it stayed over the next tense nine minutes. With Queensland holding ground advantage, a long kick was put in to forward Harlee McIlwain close to goal.

Getting her hands to it but just slipping out with desperation from Sandgropers defender Marie Polimeno, McIlwain hit the turf hard and in a sour end to such a great game had to be stretchered off with every precaution taken and its hoped that the talented bottom-ager – who had a really lively game up forward and kicked Queensland’s first goal – recovers well.

With McIlwain off, Davies was sent forward for the last minute of play, with multiple stoppages and Queensland locking the ball inside the arc. Then in what would be the last ball-up of the day, Davies took it out of the ruck – outmuscling or pushing depending on which state you support – and snapped it around her body. With the deepest defender at the top of the goalsquare it bounced past any hands and through for a goal.

The top-age prospect was mobbed by teammates and as they began to disperse, the siren sounded and the mob reformed. Scenes of jubilation and heartbreak – again depending on which state you support – reverberated around the ground. It was a match that was up there with the very best in AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships history, and one that neither team is likely to forget any time soon.

Ironically despite kicking the winning goal, Davies played predominantly in defence, where she had 21 disposals, four marks and six rebound 50s to assist with the bevy of West Australian tall forwards including Olivia Wolmarans who she kept statless in the first term despite Western Australia dominating the inside 50s count. Wolmarans would go on to kick a couple and have a handy game, while Davies was clearly a standout for the Maroon.

At RSEA Park, St Kilda fans would have liked what they saw from Sunny Lappin on a wing and then inside, with Carlton supporters also hoping to see the daughter of Matthew swayed towards the navy blue. She had 23 disposals, five marks, six clearances and four inside 50s, while Rhianna Ingram (16 disposals, three marks, four tackles and five rebound 50s) was superb out of defence.

Midfielders Annabelle Foat and bottom-age pair Mia Geere and Molly Ferguson were also great, while Under 16s All-Australian Edie Fraser kicked a game-high three goals and almost had a fourth that just fell short.

Western Australia won more of the ball with its famed midfield firing. After missing her past two national carnivals, Swan Districts’ Carys D’Addario wanted to make up for lost time, collecting 29 disposals, five clearances, seven inside 50s and a nice long-range goal on the run. Despite having been eased into the match starting off the bench after hamstring tightness and illness the past few weeks, Mia Russo (27 disposals, two marks, three tackles, four clearances and eight inside 50s) showed her class.

Renee Morgan and Juliet Kelly unsurprisingly did a lot of the grunt work alongside D’Addario, with Layla Quinn-Schofield the standout of the West Australian forwards, while Olivia Crane was an intercepting machine in her first national carnival in two years.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA 3.4 | 6.4 | 8.5 | 8.8 (56)
QUEENSLAND 2.0 | 4.2 | 6.4 | 9.5 (59)

GOALS:
Western Australia: O. Wolmarans 2, C. D’Addario, J. Kelly, L. Quinn-Schofield, L. Strachan, A. Blizard, A. Nomlatyu
Queensland:

RMC BEST:
Western Australia: C. D’Addario, M. Russo, L. Quinn-Schofield, R. Morgan, J. Kelly
Queensland: G. Davies, S. Lappin, R. Ingram, M. Geere, M. Ferguson