The Queensland All Nations team has taken out the ALL Nations Cup at the AFL National Diversity Championships in Cairns, with a 19-point win over hot favourites Victoria/Tasmania.
The crowd at Cazaly’s Stadium was treated to a thrilling match with the Victoria/Tasmania team – last year’s winners – taking on a Queensland side that had never reached a championship grand final.
Victoria/Tasmania made the early running with the breeze in the first half, but again the showers arrived to negate the wind effect. At times soccer became the sport of choice as both teams hacked the ball from end-to-end in the conditions.
A goal to Queensland just on half time levelled the scores and set up an exciting final stanza.
After the break, Queensland came out hard but the Victoria/Tasmania team knew they had to negate any wind advantage and played a tough, defensive brand of football.
It took until seven minutes into the half for either side to score, a behind to Queensland, but that was the trigger and the Queensland team rattled on a succession of goals to make history and win their first ever National Diversity Championships All Nations Cup.
Proud and emotional scenes were visible all over the field as players, coaches and officials embraced and the Queensland Kickstart team ran out to join their All Nations teammates.
Final Scores: Queensland 7.3 (45) d Victoria/Tasmania 3 .8 (26)
All Nations Cup Grand Final
Queensland 7.5 (47) def. Victoria/Tasmania 3.8.26
Queensland
Goals: Marlee Tom 2, Abu Toure 2, Kane Haua 1, Tom Ansell 1, Emmanuel Fallah 1
Best: Dean Katsiris, Raymer Tuputala, Tom Ansell, Taora Maranga, Kane Haua
Victoria/Tasmania:
Goals: Thu Sa La 1, Haloti Fonua 1, Mathiang Chak 1
Best: Ajak Dang, Haloti Fanua, Thu Sa La, Paul Fauoagli, Buku Kharmis
Kickstart Grand Final
Western Australia 9.3(57) def. Victoria/Tasmania 2.1(13)
Western Australia
Goals: Jarrod Cameron 4, Ryan Bennell 2, Isiah Humphries 1, Duane Smith 1, Ethan Hansen 1
Best: Jarrod Cameron, Sydney Stack, Isiah Mogridge, Ethan Hansen, Ryan Bennell
Victoria/Tasmania
Goals: Toby Bedford 1, Cohen Cooper 1
Best: Luke Egan, Tarryn Trindall, Matt Walker, Lochie Dawson, Kyle Clarke
