WITH the second most All Australian squad members behind the Victorian teams, Queensland should be proud of its efforts during the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. The side made history by becoming the first Queensland side to defeat a Victorian side, which rewarded them for their high work ethic during the carnival.

Key players:

Lily Postlethwaite

Postlethwaite was named best-on-ground in each game on the Gold Coast by her coaches. This was thanks to her swift ball movement in the midfield and excellent run and carry. Her kicks were long and penetrating while her hands to players on the outside started a chain reaction of forward movement. She was a clever player who knew how to create scoring opportunities and rack up plenty of the ball.

Zimmorlei Farquharson

One of the most exciting players in the Queensland outfit, Farquharson provided a real sense of X-factor up forward for her side. She displayed strong hands throughout the tournament and kicked the ball with precision, creating many forward thrusts.

Natalie Grider

The Queensland captain displayed an incredible work ethic throughout the tournament and was named as Queensland’s Most Valuable Player. Grider’s strong hands in the back half were vital for her side, as it allowed her teammates to set up and penetrate the ball forward. Grider also laid some strong tackles, highlighting her defensive knowledge.

Ellie Hampson

Hampson’s agility was second to none as she had the ability to evade two or more opponents to get the ball forward for her side. She was exciting at her damaging best where she would give opponents no opportunity to lay a hand on her. She was able to move the ball quickly and with ease, thanks to her long and penetrating kicks.

Dee Heslop

Another player who featured among the best players for Queensland many times, Heslop was a key player for her side. She too was able to move the ball swiftly both by hand and by foot. Heslop displayed a high work ethic throughout the tournament and deserved to be rewarded for her efforts with a spot in the All Australian squad.

Tori Groves-Little

Groves-Little was one of the most aggressive tacklers in the competition, laying tackle after tackle to stop opponents in their tracks. She was prolific through the middle of the ground, taking strong grabs and using quick, clean hands to get the ball forward. Groves-Little was also able to display great run and carry by finding space and backing her speed to get it forward.

Isabel Dawes

A player who just loved to find the goals, Dawes was quite damaging up forward when she was at her best. She would not only kick goals but would create scoring opportunities with her precise kicks and good positioning to take strong marks. Dawes always buzzed around the contests, pestering her opponents with her constant hunger to win the ball.

Lauren Bella

Bella was a huge reason why the Queensland midfielders were able to excel in this tournament. Her taps in the ruck allowed them to clear the ball out of congestion, which was crucial to creating quick forward thrusts. Her impact was also felt around the ground with her strong and clean hands.

Charlotte Hammans

Hammans was Queensland’s leading goal kicker with four goals from five games. She always presented well up forward, making good leads to the footy and taking strong grabs. Hammans was able to use good bodywork to position herself well inside 50 and worked up and down the ground to ensure her impact was felt.

RESULTS:

Monday July 9

QUEENSLAND 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.5 (11)
VIC COUNTRY 1.2 | 5.5 | 7.6 | 10.7 (67)

GOALS:
Queensland: Dee Heslop.
Vic Country: Lucy McEvoy 5, Julia Harvey 2, Tyla Hanks, Rene Caris, Nina Morrison.

ADC BEST:
Queensland: Zimmorlei Farquharson, Ellie Hampson, Lily Postlethwaite, Kitara Farrar, Natalie Grider, Dee Heslop.
Vic Country: Lucy McEvoy, Nina Morrison, Rebecca Webster, Julia Harvey, Rene Caris, Olivia Purcell.

Wednesday July 11

QUEENSLAND 0.0 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 4.3 (27)
VIC METRO 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 3.1 (19)

GOALS:
Queensland: Zimmorlei Farquharson 2, Charlotte Hammans, Isabel Dawes.
Vic Metro: Gabby De Angelis, Holly Bate, Madison Prespakis.

ADC BEST:
Queensland: Lily Postlethwaite, Zimmorlei Farquharson, Isabel Dawes, Tori Groves-Little, Charlotte Hammans, Natalie Grider
Vic Metro: Eleanor Brown, Gabby Newton, Madison Prespakis, Katie Lynch, Georgia Macpherson, Georgia Patrikios.

Friday July 13

QUEENSLAND: 1.2 | 3.4 | 4.5 | 5.5 (35)
EASTERN ALLIES: 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 2.6 (18)

GOALS:
Queensland: Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw 2, Charlotte Hammans, Georgia Eller, Taylor Smith.
Eastern Allies: Alexia Hamilton 2.

ADC BEST:
Queensland: Lily Postlethwaite, Ellie Hampson, Serene Watson, Chloe Gregory, Jade Ellenger, Zimmorlei Farquharson
Eastern Allies: Alyce Parker, Netty Garlo, Lauren Stevenson, Alexia Hamilton, Mia King, Alice Mitchell