QUEENSLAND capped off a strong national carnival with a victory over Allies on the weekend. With plenty of draftable talent on show, we took note of some of the players who caught the eye in the clash. All notes are the opinion of the individual author.

QUEENSLAND:

#1 Heidi Talbot (North Cairns/Suns Academy)
18/12/2006 | 161cm | Forward/Defender

The exciting bottom-age showed plenty of dare and dash in the match, able to take the ball at speed in transition. On a number of occasions, Talbot looked like threatening the scoreboard, and while she did not manage to do it, her impact was far better than her eight disposals might suggest. The North Cairns prospect also got a run in defence in the final term, rotating with Brooke Sheridan.

#5 Sophie Peters (Maroochydore/Lions Academy)
12/03/2005 | 164cm | Wing

Another player who has an incredible impact-per-possession ratio, the AFLW Academy member was slick and evasive throughout the contest. She sidestepped multiple opponents and even did so when going for goal to get within her range and launch it home. In the third term, she laid a terrific run-down tackle on Sophia De Castella and the subsequent kick from half-back pinpointed Long on the wing. Has the array of weapons offensively and defensively that catch the eye.

#6 Jacinta Baldwick (Coorparoo/Lions Academy)
14/11/2005 | 169cm | Midfielder/Forward

A real balanced player across the board, Baldwick has proven herself both inside and outside, as well as up forward which makes her very valuable. She kicked three goals in the game – including two in the second term – with a traditional drop punt goal from the tightest of angles delighting the purists. Her other two goals were quick thinking in play with a turn and quick kick, as well as a soccer off the deck, and generally her ball use was effective and her hands outstandingly clean.

#11 Sienna McMullen (Bond University/Suns Academy)
15/07/2005 | 164cm | Wing/Defender

Spent a fair bit of time working behind the ball rather than her more permanent wing role, but showed off her pace and smarts. She got into the right spots and is quick to dispose of the ball under pressure, making the right decisions by hand or foot. One aspect about McMullen is she is deceptively strong, can stand up in a tackle and dispose of the ball cleanly. Her work mopping up in defence helped out her team.

#15 Nyalli Milne (Burleigh/Bond Uni/Suns Academy)
26/05/2006 | 171cm | Forward/Midfielder

Playing her best game of the carnival this year, Milne had 18 disposals, six inside 50s and laid six tackles. She worked hard between the arcs and in getting the ball forward, before eventually being rewarded for her effort by soccering a ball off the deck in the goalsquare. She set up a number of scoring chances for her teammates and lifted her production rate in the game to be among the better players on the ground.

#16 Evie Long (Sandgate/Lions Academy)
22/08/2005 | 175cm | Wing/Forward

It was a real breakout performance for Long who showed all the traits that make up a draftable talent. With good hands, a lovely kick and ability to hit the scoreboard, the 175cm tall spent time between the wing and forward. She broke the game open with three goals in four minutes during the third term, and while sometimes she can be a two-grab mark, she also does it to gain great control when the defender is right there. Overall, a standout performance with great decision making.

#23 Rania Crozier (Aspley/Lions Academy)
18/11/2005 | 179cm | Forward

Crozier flew for just about anything she could, and though she dropped a fair few chances, still took five marks which shows just how many she might have been able to pull in. Booting three goals from 13 disposals, she was dangerous in attack and even pushed up to a wing at times to be a marking target further afield. Her athleticism and recovery speed in particular stood out in the game.

#26 Dekota Baron (Broadbeach/Suns Academy)
03/01/2007 | 178cm | Forward/Ruck

The bottom-age forward had a stint through the ruck in game three, collecting 15 hitouts and booting 2.3. She moves well, is clean at ground level or overhead and though she can miss chances she should convert, has enormous upside for the future. A powerful athlete who though she can rush at times, commands a special presence inside 50 and has the capacity to roll through the ruck and have a profound impact there.

#28 Havana Harris (Burleigh/Bond Uni/Suns Academy)
01/07/2006 | 181cm | Utility

The Queensland MVP finished off her carnival with another all-round performance playing ruck and midfield. She collected 25 disposals, having to step up after Lilly Baker came off with the two whacks to the face. Her best work was done when she could use her explosive pace and kick long inside 50 to put it to a dangerous spot where her teammates could create goalscoring opportunities.

#29 Ella Calleja (University of Queensland/Suns Academy)
20/11/2004 | 172cm | Midfielder/Forward

The over-ager put in a strong performance for Queensland, particularly through the middle two quarters where she used the ball well from midfield to attack. She has a well-weighted kick and makes good decisions with ball-in-hand. Perhaps the biggest tick was her work running from half-back to half-forward winning a couple of possessions in a chain during the second term, with her work rate a noted self-declared improvement required in her game.

ALLIES:

#7 Holly Cooper (Manly Warringah Wolves/Swans Academy)
23/02/2005 | 164cm | Midfielder

Once again the Swans Academy member had some nice moments throughout the game, and while she is not a huge accumulator, still picked up 12 disposals. From those 12 disposals, she had four clearances, three inside 50s and also laid six tackles, with a high impact-per-possession performance. She packs a strong punch and her technique is quite sound, while able to find space to lead into.

#13 Tatyana Perry (Palmerston Magpies/Northern Territory)
28/02/2006 | 170cm | Wing/Defender

Starting on the wing after being a defender in game one, Perry showed her class in close and in transition by winning the ball both through the middle and when back in defence. Her movement and evasion stands out and she is incredibly clean through traffic. Though not afforded the time and space she would like, generally Perry still made good decisions by hand or foot.

#17 Asha Turner Funk (Manly Warringah Wolves/Swans Academy)
29/04/2004 | 176cm | Midfielder

The over-ager was the standout player for the Allies, finding plenty of the ball throughout the four quarters. She was strong at the coalface and spread to the outside, providing a nice balance of offensive and defensive traits. Winning 22 disposals, three marks, four clearances and three inside 50s, Turner Funk also laid eight tackles. The Swans Academy kicked her goal after a good tackle, free kick and subsequent set shot.

#18 Candice Belbin (Ulverstone/Tasmania Devils)
14/07/2004 | 163cm | Midfielder

Another over-ager who worked hard all game, Belbin did her best in close and unsurprisingly won the majority of her 17 disposals at the coalface. She was almost exclusively on the inside, collecting a game-high six clearances and laying nine tackles, while finishing with 17 disposals and three inside 50s as well. Looked to break free of tackles any chance she got.

#27 Marnie Robinson (UTS Bats/Swans Academy)
08/06/2005 | 172cm | Defender

The Allies skipper tried her heart out all game and set the tone with a strong tackle on Crozier in the first term. Largely Robinson just mopped up in defence and cleared the danger zone, but did her best in helping out teammates and organising the defence. Unfortunately the pressure in the match meant her efficiency was down, but she brought the heat, laying eight tackles.

#29 Mackenzie Williams (North Hobart/Tasmania Devils)
26/06/2006 | 172cm | Defender

Holding down full-back, Williams provided plenty of depth on her kicks from the defensive 50, sending the ball outside time and time again. Under pressure she made a few errors by foot, but was strong when intercepting the ball and having time to make good decisions. Williams recorded 16 disposals, four marks and four rebound 50s, acting as the last line for her side.