SOUTH Australia and old foes Vic Metro look set to potentially decide the AFLW Under 18 Championships title next week, with the two teams remaining undefeated after the Croweaters knocked off fellow unbeaten team Allies by nine points at Alberton Oval yesterday. The match was tight and tense as expected, but a two goals to nil third term set the home side up for a memorable 5.7 (37) to 3.10 (28) victory.

While technically every side bar Western Australia (two losses) is mathematically still in contention for the title, the winner of South Australia and Vic Metro next week goes a long way to securing the title with the pair holding the past four between them since the championships returned from a two-year hiatus due to the global pandemic.

Yesterday it was South Australia that ticked off that box in game where there was not much between the sides other than in the ruck, with South Australia winning the hitouts 51-15, a total that was expected, but got them on the front foot. The Allies, with the return of Zoe Curry, enabled star bottom-ager Matilda Lange to spend a lot of time forward, while the run and carry of Charlee Brooksby from half-back and the wing certainly gave the Croweaters a boost as well.

The quarter time score of three behinds to two in favour of South Australia was not indicative of the run and carry each side had produced, with two set shots marked on the goalline up either end, and another couple of unlucky misses. At that point the hitout stakes were not as dire as first thought with the home team up 10-6 as Morgan Stevens stepped up to the plate and competed well. Brooksby (six disposals) looked like she had never left, while Lange and Evie Ward were busy early.

Each side had produced seven inside 50s apiece, and by half-time, the forward entries had only changed by one, as the Allies nudged ahead 16-15. The first goal of the day came via Isabella Beaumont which broke the drought two minutes into the second term, before a remarkable snap off a turnover inside 50 gave Lange another highlight from her bottom-age carnival. Curry was starting to cook, racing out to 12 disposals and four clearances, while Lange and Aurelia Russell were superb for the visitors.

South Australia had not got ease of movement forward that it had in the first half against Wetern Australia, and instead of being 57 points up, found itself level at 2.4 (16) apiece. The bottom-age brigade of Lily Whiteman, Caitlin Hardin – who rotated on-ball from defence in the second term – and Lani Cocks joined top pick chance Emma Charlton. The star midfielder’s inside work paired with fellow top five contender Emily Mableson‘s run and carry was a delight, and Layla Vizgaudis‘ classy strike thanks to a slick handball from Julia Faulkner had the home crowd up and about.

The third quarter was ultimately the difference in the game as the Croweaters took their chances, booting 2.2 to 0.3 to stretch the lead out to 11 points at the final break. It was not an insurmountable margin, but the toughness of which scoring had been, meant it was a big boost as Polly Turner‘s long-range strike cleared the players on the goalline and then Maia Freemantle released Elke Cameron to run in and slot the goal in style. Ava Horneman had a chance to cut the deficit to a straight kick with a downfield free kick but missed, making it 11 at the final break.

While the stats did remain relatively even, the third quarter was where the hitouts differential blew out. South Australia racked up 12 hitouts to two, and while the clearances (six to five) was not massive, it still gave the home team meaningful looks and predictability around the stoppages.

The Allies had an early chance that went begging in the opening minute, and then South Australia punished them with repeat entries as Chelsea Newitt slotted an important set shot goal to stretch the lead out to a game-high 17 points midway through the quarter. While the visitors refused to give in, they missed several chances on goal, with Evie Bingham making good on a rare opportunity with a clever finish.

With 10 points the difference heading into the last six minutes, Majella Day – who had been well held by Olivia Leslie – clunked a great grab over the top of her opponent just 15 metres out, turned around to stroll in and boot the goal only to spray it through for a behind. It was a shot that a player of her ilk would kick 99 times out of 100, but one that got away. The Allies rallied right to the line, but full credit went to the likes of Leslie, Tori Evans and Ruby Lynch, who, though they didn’t rack up too much of the ball, were terrific in defending the back 50.

In the end it was Cocks (23 disposals, three tackles, six clearances, five inside 50s and two rebound 50s) who alongside Lucy Moore (19 disposals, two marks, six tackles and seven clearances) and Charlton (19 disposals, three marks, eight tackles, three clearances and two inside 50s) who stood up in the middle. Mableson (16 disposals, five tackles, two inside 50s and two rebound 50s) and Brooksby (13 disposals, two marks and four rebound 50s) were the run, Miyu Endersby (12 disposals, four marks, 34 hitouts and four inside 50s) dominated the ruck, and both Whiteman and Faulkner had their moments throughout.

The strength of Lange (21 disposals, four marks, four tackles, three clearances, six inside 50s and a goal) and Curry (19 disposals, four tackles and five clearances) was evident, while Ward (16 disposals, four tackles and three rebound 50s) and Peggy Rock (13 disposals, seven tackles, two inside 50s) also produced consistent outings. Charlotte Tidemann and Alana Fraser found plenty of the ball transitioning from defence.

South Australia hosts Vic Metro next Saturday at Alberton Oval again, while the Allies have a weekend off before tackling Queensland up at Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday, July 5.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 0.3 | 2.4 | 4.6 | 5.7 (37)
ALLIES 0.2 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 3.10 (28)

GOALS:
South Australia: L. Vizgaudis, P. Turner, C. Newitt, I. Beaumont, E. Cameron
Allies: M. Lange, A Horneman, E. Bingham

RMC BEST:
South Australia: E. Mableson, L. Cocks, E. Charlton, L. Moore, O. Leslie
Allies: Z. Curry, M. Lange, P. Rock, E. Ward, A. Fraser