TRAILING by 15 points at the first break and by as much as nine points midway through the final term, Queensland found a way to win against South Australia in a thrilling conclusion to the AFLW Under 18 Championships. Though the two-point victory was not enough to surpass Vic Metro’s percentage for the title, Queensland finished with a 3-1 record and plenty of admirers.

Spearheaded by three-club tied talent Sunny Lappin once again, the Maroons kicked four of the last five goals – and the final two – at a wind-swept Prospect Oval today. Early on it looked as though the Croweaters would run away with the match courtesy of a three-goal first term – two to National Academy member Eloise Mackereth – but the visitors limited them to just 1.4 (10) after quarter time, while kicking 4.3 (27) themselves in the process.

South Australia had the breeze in the first and third terms, though could only convert the one goal in the latter through Hope Taylor. It came off the back of an inspirational run-down tackle from Layla Vizgaudis, and while South Australia extended the lead out to nine early in the fourth and held it there for half the quarter, Queensland refused to go away.

Annabelle Foat gave her state a pulse with a vital major in the 11th minute, and after the Croweaters came agonisingly close to answering a few minutes later through Ruby Lynch and fast ball movement, could only add one behind to the tally. Enter Alannah Welsh who while being tackled in the goalsquare managed to spin to the right angl and drop the ball on her boot to kick the winning goal with three minutes on the clock.

While South Australia did have a last roll of the dice, Queensland was able to clear and sese out the game for a memorable two-point win, 5.4 (34) to 4.8 (32). The Croweaters’ loss was also soured by an injury late in the match to skipper Imogen Trengove as well as star midfielder and SANFLW Grand Final best on ground Emma Charlton spending time off the ground after being collected late.

Charlton would return to the field and finish as arguably South Australia’s best, winning 24 touches, two marks, six tackles, seven clearances, four inside 50s and two rebound 50s, while Trengove (22 disposals, two marks, four tackles, two clearances and four inside 50s) was also busy. West Adelaide pair Lucy Waye and Emily Mableson got their hands on it plenty, while Mackereth and Taylor were their side’s only goalkickers with two apiece.

Queensland just stood up when in counted with Welsh also kicking two majors – from seven disposals, two marks and four tackle – while Dekota Baron was highly efficient with two goals from three touches. Lappin (32 disposals, six marks, six tackles, five clearances, four inside 50s and eight rebound 50s) was a clear best on ground, while the run of Rhianna Ingram, Mikayla Nurse and Aleah Stringer was critical in the win. Georja Davies returned to the ruck where she and Monique Corrigan dominated the hitouts, 51-25.

The game marked the end of Queensland’s carnival, and though they did not win the overall title, still finished with the equal most wins and without the possibility of facing Vic Metro. South Australia on the other hand still has another match, taking on Vic Country in the final clash of the 2025 AFLW Under 18 Championships next Sunday at Unley.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.4 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 4.8 (32)
QUEENSLAND 1.1 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 5.4 (34)

GOALS:
South Australia: E. Mackereth 2, H. Taylor 2.
Queensland: A. Welsh 2, D. Baron 2, A. Foat

RMC BEST:
South Australia: E. Charlton, L. Waye, I. Trengove, E. Mableson, H. Taylor
Queensland: S. Lappin, M. Nurse, G. Davies, R. Ingram, A. Stringer