THE Under-17 NSW/ACT Rams claimed a win in enemy territory over traditional rivals Queensland, riding the bumps for a 6.9 (45) to 3.10 (28) win in trying conditions.

The game started with an arm-wrestle in the first term on a heavy track, with both sides enjoying time in their forward half but unable to convert their territory to scoreboard influence. Queensland’s Connor Bulley was the first to put a major on the board, coolly converting a fairly straightforward set shot chance. His goal was answered by Marco Rossman, who made good on an earlier miss with a set shot goal of his own, before later missing another to see the Maroons hold onto a slender quarter-time lead.

The second term produced much of the same as a damp deck turned muddy with the rain beginning to pour down. Both sides looked up for the slog, sliding in for ground ball gets and embracing the conditions. Amid the weather, the Rams snatched the lead via a Jack Driscoll goal after he clunked a terrific mark overhead deep in the forward 50. They looked to be getting on a roll as Sebastian Quirk put through another to take full advantage of a 50-metre penalty, but the home side replied through Saxon Crozier – who slammed one home on the run to cut the half time margin to four points.

NSW/ACT broke away in the third term as the rain halted but remained under foot. Jackson Tikkeros was beginning to look dangerous inside 50 and capitalised on the Rams’ purple patch to snare a goal from only a couple of metres out – just moments after his set shot from 40 metres had fallen short. Pierce Roseby’s goal ensured it would be tough for the home side to make up the difference, but Will O’Dwyer’s clutch conversion after the three-quarter time siren gave them a sniff at 13 points adrift heading into the final change.

That sniff was snuffed out pretty quickly as Coopa Steele buried a snap from long range within the first minute of the final term to all but put the game to bed. It was an ugly quarter from there-on, with the Rams coasting to victory while Queensland scrapped hard to find a fourth goal and pretty up the scoreboard.

Rossman led all-comers with his 21 disposals for the Rams alongside Roseby, with the latter also laying 13 tackles and both hitting the scoreboard. Crozier was Queensland’s best, collecting an equal team-high 20 touches, five inside 50s and a goal. Blake Coleman was also sensational in the wet, collecting 20 disposals of his own and laying nine tackles.

GOALS:

Queensland: S. Crozier, W. O’Dwyer, C. Bulley.
NSW/ACT: M. Rossman, P. Roseby, C. Steele, S. Quirk, J. Tikkeros, J. Driscoll.

ADC BEST:
Queensland: S. Crozier, B. Coleman, R. Nicholls, J. Smith, E. Hunt
NSW/ACT: M. Rossman, P. Roseby, S. Quirk, M. Hamblin, O. Davis