Queensland have finished third in the Australian U15 Youth Girls Championships on the Gold Coast.
Queensland have taken third spot in the Australian U18 Youth Girls Championships on the Gold Coast with an outstanding four-point win over South Australia.
In the play-off for what was effectively the bronze medal, SA started quickly scoring an early goal to set up the closest finals match of the Championships, before Queensland replied with a goal in the following minutes.
A feature of the first quarter were great bone crunching tackles and hard fought contested ball gets by both sides.
The second term began at the same break neck pace with SA again getting off to a quick start through a great mark in front of goals by Rebecca Catterall.
But she was unable to convert, providing SA the first of their 5 points for the quarter.
It was this inaccuracy that was to prove the downfall of SA.
Queensland then pressed up the field with run and carry to put pressure on the goals at their end.
SA replied with great defence saving a goal and clearing to their own scoring end. With great defensive pressure displayed by both sides goals were sparse.
Both teams exhibited some great passages of play through the midfield as the game became a battle of the half back lines.
Queensland started the 3rd quarter with an early goal to Paul.
SA fought back with great possession in the 50 which lead to a goal in the first 4 minutes to Price.
Queensland tried for another goal but hit the post. SA ran the ball hard down the wing but kept hitting Queensland’s stngey half back line.
Puruntatameri (Q), as she had done several times during the championships, burst away from her opponent and finished with a great run and whopper kick into goals for a 6 pointer.
Queensland held their defence in the 4th quarter with Tamika Hansen saving a certain goal from SA.
Catterall (SA) had a long shot at goal but the ball got caught by the wind and only resulted in yet another behind.
With scores even with 5 minutes to go it was left up to 2010 All-Star player Megan Hunt (pictured) to break the deadlock.
Given an extra 50m penalty through undisciplined play by SA that placed her right in front of goals, she kicked truly to give Queensland the lead with a minute and a half left to play.
Match Details
Queensland 1.1 1.1 3.3.21 4.3.27
South Australia 1.2 1.7 2.7.19 2.11.23
Goals: SA: Jenna McCormick, Alex Price. Qld: S. Paul 2, Selina Puruntatameri, M. Hunt
Best: SA: C. Swanson, J. McCormick, B.Perry, R. Wallace, K.Obrien, L. Adamopolous. Qld: E. Bates, M. Hunt, C. Collins, J. Zanchetta, T. Harris, E. Aeschlimann
