CAPPING off a magnificent overall AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships, South Australia levelled its ledger with a win over Vic Country at Unley Oval today. In what was a tight contest for the first half, South Australia’s ability to still score against the wind in the final term was what helped the Croweaters secure the 8.10 (58)to 5.8 (38) victory.

In a fitting finale, both sides were looking for their second win over the carnival, with South Australia and Vic Country having beaten Western Australia and the Allies respectively. Country captain Rain Dodd won the toss and opted to go into the breeze with the hope of having a tailwind in the final term, but South Australia fully capitalised with three first term goals to race out to a 16-point quarter time lead.

Eloise Mackereth was looking dangerous inside 50, while Lucy Waye and Emma Charlton also hit the scoreboard, the latter being from close range on the edge of quarter time. Now with the wind, Vic Country answered the challenge and responded with the only two goals of the second term, with Nikhita Spiteri snapping truly out of nothing and Bendigo Pioneers’ inclusion Ava Bibby using her 180cm frame to protect hte ball drop and make no mistake from the set shot.

Despite drawing within one point, Country was unable to edge ahead, as the Croweaters peppered the goals late with three behinds making it a 3.4 (22) to 2.6 (18) scoreline at the main break. Then, back with the wind, South Australia dominated the scoreboard, and though inaccurate at times, booted 2.5 to stretch the lead out to 21 points at the final change.

It was not over by any stretch of the imagination as Geelong Falcons’ Stella Huxtable got her side up and about just over a minute into the fourth stanza with a great finish that gave Vic Country hope. That hope was quickly extinguished with a response from Summer Ross in the wrong pocket for a left-footer. When Monique Bessen burst through congestion to kick truly across her body, the lead was out to 27 points and it was game over.

Vic Country kept pushing to the final siren with Bibby and Nalu Brothwell both saluting, the latter being an incredible goal out of nothing that bounced true. Despite their best efforts, the visitors ultimately fell short to go down by 20 points in the end.

The bottom-age midfield duo of Charlton (22 disposals, five marks, eight tackles, four clearances, four inside 50s, three rebound 50s and a goal) and Lucy Moore (21 disposals, five marks, six tackles, six clearances and two inside 50s) were both lively, while Bessen was brilliant off a wing. The aerial ability by Polly Turner – who spent time at both ends – stood out, as did Mackereth and Waye inside 50.

For Vic Country, Geelong Falcons pair Georgia Tyrrell (20 disposals, two marks, six tackles, three clearances and two inside 50s) and Huxtable (16 disposals, three tackles, five clearances and a goal) were both very good, as were twins Nalu and Mizuki Brothwell who caught the eye up respective ends. Bottom-ager Alice Cunnington and the powerful Maggie Johnstone were also among Vic Country’s best.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 3.1 | 3.4 | 5.9 | 8.10 (58)
VIC COUNTRY 0.3 | 2.6 | 2.6 | 5.8 (38)

GOALS:
South Australia: E. Mackereth 2, E. Charlton, M. Bessen, P. Turner, L. Waye, H. Taylor, S. Ross
Vic Country: A. Bibby 2, S. Huxtable, N. Brothwell, N. Spiteri

RMC BEST:
South Australia: E. Charlton, L. Moore, M. Bessen, P. Turner, L. Waye
Vic Country: G. Tyrrell, M. Brothwell, S. Huxtable, M. Johnstone, A. Cunnington