NINE Queensland Under 18 representatives ran out on the biggest of stages over the weekend as Southport produced a record high score to defeat Morningside 15.9 (99) to 3.2 (20) at Brighton Homes Arena. The jaw-dropping year of three-club tied talent Sunny Lappin continued with the top-age star winning best on ground in a dominant performance. We took note of those state representatives across both sides.

SOUTHPORT:

#12 Sunny Lappin
Midfielder | 170cm | 28/11/2007

Stats: 30 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles, 8 clearances, 10 inside 50s, 2 goals

You’d be hard pressed to find a player with a better top-age season based off expectations coming into the year than Lappin in 2025. She was always around the mark in terms of top 30 calculations, but even the past few weeks it is impossible to see her falling beyond the Top 10 with a Queensland MVP and now QAFLW Best on Ground medal. She simply did it all, working inside, outside, kicking forward and hitting the scoreboard. She was the link that moved the Southport transitional game, and on Father’s Day it was just the icing on the coach for dad and Southport senior coach, Matthew. A big decision between the Gold Coast, Carlton and St Kilda awaits for the talented midfielder.

#13 Mikayla Nurse
Wing | 168cm | 19/09/2007

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks (1 contested), 3 tackles, 6 inside 50s

Had a really great performance that was perhaps only overshadowed by Lappin’s work in getting it out to her. Nurse was strong overhead, constantly worked into space and took grass like few others. She loves running and backing her speed, with multiple bounces down the wing on several occasions. What Nurse does well compared to most others is her ability to still execute at speed, and while she is that predominantly outside talent, she is exceptionally good at it. Really put pressure on the Morningside defence with her line-breaking runs. A couple of times worked herself into trouble, but that is part and parcel with her job.

#15 Dekota Baron
Key Forward/Ruck | 179cm | 03/01/2007

Stats: 10 disposals, 5 marks (4 contested), 5 hitouts, 3 goals

Provided a strong target inside 50 and then chopped out Davies in the ruck. With four contested marks and three goals, Baron looked like enjoying every second. She pulled out three different goal celebrations for each of her majors and looked unbeatable one-on-one. Baron’s had her injury concerns this year with the delayed start to the season, but showed exactly what she is capable of. One of four Suns right in the top 10 frame.

#27 Georja Davies
Ruck | 185cm | 17/01/2007

Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 5 tackles, 25 hitouts, 3 clearances, 3 inside 50s

Another Sun in said top 10 frame is Davies who spent the day in the ruck and often got first hands to it well. Her leap and then follow-up work was a highlight in the grand final, with her knack of finding Lappin, outstanding. She still showed off some of her athletic qualities such as a sidestep early in the third to go deep inside 50, while taking a few good marks as a target on the outside. The standout tall with Baron on the ground.

#46 Rhianna Ingram
Defender | 167cm | 20/10/2007

Stats: 8 disposals, 1 mark, 1 inside 50

Did not have a lot to do which is not surprising as a defender when your team wins by 79 points, but had some effective intercepts off half-back. A couple of times she danced side-to-side and got into trouble or was forced to rush, but has neat and clean skills that help her be a player who can impact the game on transition out of the back half.

MORNINGSIDE:

#34 Stella Scott
Forward | 165cm | 19/12/2008

Stats: 16 disposals, 4 tackles, 2 clearances, 2 inside 50s

The bottom-ager got her hands on it a fair bit and was able to apply defensive pressure when required. Her efficiency was low but that was to be expected given the heat Southport was applying, though Scott continued to battle away and did not shy from the contest. Finished as the third highest disposal winner from her team and tried her heart out.

#39 Ella Gibson
Ruck/Defender | 181cm | 27/07/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 2 marks, 12 hitouts, 5 tackles

Though usually rolled out through the ruck, there were times where both she and first-choice ruck Teresa Dixon were on the ground, so Gibson was sent behind the ball to negate Southport’s tall marking targets. While it was a tough day for her side, Gibson had some nice clearing kicks and took a goal-saving mark on the goalline. Got pinged holding the ball after a hospital handball to her deep in defence, but did not let it worry her with a solid all-round performance.

#44 Zoe Petrides
Forward | 164cm | 28/09/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 5 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 2 inside 50s, 1 behind

The pick of the Morningside bottom-agers with Petrides playing forward but working hard up the ground. She has some clean hands and smarts in the front half, while also competing strongly in the air for a player of her size. Proactively looking to get involved up the ground, she even worked to half-back at times, taking a mark in the last few minutes. Petrides only had the one set shot on goal after a good mark which lead to a miss near-side, though a snap under pressure to the hotspot set up Morningside’s first major of the contest.

#46 Harlee McIlwain
Tall Forward | 176cm | 07/04/2008

Stats: 3 disposals, 1 mark (1 contested), 1 tackle, 1 goal

Unfortunately it was tough going for Morningside’s deepest forward, though McIlwain’s highlight game with a great contested mark inside 50 and subsequent set shot goal. At that point, the Panthers had gained some momentum, and her work to nudge her direct opponent under the ball, clunk it and then go back with the pressure and nail the goal was superb. She presented at times in what was a big second term, though her day ended early, coming off with an ankle injury later in the match.