Both Queensland and WA were keen to atone for Day 1 losses to Victoria and WA respectively in their AFL Women’s Championship match at Cazaly’s stadium.
The first term was a scrappy and congested affair with with clean possessions hard to come by for both teams.
Queensland Get Wines Direct Sunfire was the first to do some damage on the scoreboard with a goal from Sharni Webb.
Stoppages were plentiful and Queensland had trouble getting the ball any closer to goal than the half-forward mark.
But their miserly tactics won the quarter and they went into the break 8-points up on the scoreless NSW.
Captain Nat Thomas took a great mark directly in front of goal a minute into the second quarter to extend Queensland’s lead.
The maroons were getting plenty of possession but were unable to clear the ball effectively. Conversely NSW were cleaner with less opportunity.
A more composed NSW finally found its way between the sticks to even up the score 7-mintes into the term, courtesy of Laura Holdsworth.
Queensland responded well out of the centre and were getting plenty of inside-50 opportunities, however a stoic NSW defense was repelling every attack.
Nat Thomas was creative in front of goal for the Queenslanders but could not convert.
Focus shifted to the NSW forward-line and, like their opposition, they were finding the post an unavoidable obstacle.
Cue siren, with Queensland going into the main break holding a slender 7-point lead.
The Get Wines Direct Sunfire came out of the break swinging and went straight into attack, the NSW defensive lines holding strong against the onslaught.
An entertaining battle between NSW’s Kirrily Boyd and Queensland stalwart Jo Butland was a highlight of the term, with neither giving an inch.
In a carbon copy of the first term, NSW shifted focus to their forward-50 with both teams slogging it out at ground level to no avail.
A 50-metre penalty brought the ball back to the Queensland forward line where Jo Butland scored a free off the ball. She goaled from directly in front to score the first major of the term with just three minutes left in the quarter.
A busy Rebecca Bagendorf brought the ball back to Queensland’s forward line and another free – this time to Nat Thomas – giving the host-state team another six points.
Queensland were on a roll now and Emily Bates slotted another one through just before the siren to give them a handy 27-point lead at the final change.
NSW needed to find something special in the final term and Tobi Noble’s left foot snap with the breeze was an inspiring effort.
A desperate NSW team were throwing themselves into every contest but pressure from Jo Butland caused a vital turnover that resulted in another Nat Thomas goal.
Courtney Gum scored for NSW but the damage was done, Queensland Get Wines Direct Sunfire posting a 20-point win.
Queensland 1.2 2.4 5.6 6.8 (44)
NSW 0.0 1.3 1.3 3.6 (24)
GOALKICKERS
Queensland: Thomas 3, Webb, Butland, Bates
NSW: Holdsworth, Gum, Noble
BEST
Queensland: Lutkins, Webb, Singleton, Stampa, Bates, Kaslar, James
NSW: Gum, Freckleton, Noble, Sadler, Parkin, Verkuylen
