SEQ AFL girls under 17 Div 1 clash of finals’ intensity
SEQ AFL girls under 17s: Best 40 players revealed in a round featuring a semi-final type win by Maroochydore and a gutsy effort from three Sandgate Hawks’ fledglings.
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Maroochydore claimed a milestone win over powerful Surfers Paradise in a thriller which kicked off the SEQ AFL under 17 girls round 8 action.
The Roos survived a rousing revival by Surfers in the final term to hang and win 4-1-25 to 2-8-20, while the Sandgate Hawks fielded three under 15-year-olds, Sophie Freier, CJ Elliott and Kiarna Perkins, in beating Wilston Grange in another semi-final type affair.
Round 8 results:
Maroochydore 4-1-25 def Surfers Paradise 2-8-20
Broadbeach 6-5-41 def Southport 0-3-3
Moreton Bay Lions 7.4-64 def Coorparoo 1-1-7
Victoria Point Sharks 12-9-21 def Wests Juniors 1-0-6
Burleigh Bombers 5-8-35 def Tweed Coolangatta Blues 3-7-25
Sandgate Hawks 5-6-36 def Wilston Grange Gorillas 2-2-14
Victoria Point Sharks 12.9-81 def Wests Juniors 1-6--6
Sherwood Magpies 4-3 def Yeronga Devils 2-2
Played at a neutral venue, Coorparoo, the Maroochydore v Surfers clash was a game of finals’ intensity and we can’t wait for a rematch later in the year if they come across each other at the business end of the season.
The Roos backline earned the highest of praise from coach Aaron Yates, but said victory would not have come without a team effort.
“I loved the way we battled it out. We fought so hard,’’ Yates said.
“We played three quarters and let them back into it, but for such a young side we battled away and stuck to our game plan.
“After being beaten comfortably by Burleigh, this was a game we pencilled in and thought we had to win to set us up for the second half of the season.
“It was just a good team game.’’
Unbeaten prior to the game, Surfers came late to challenge and almost steal a win.
Coach Chanel Fletcher said the quality of the challenge from Maroochydore was just what her side needed and her group will be better for the experience.
“I liked that we were challenged and it was good that we were challenged,’’ Fletcher said.
“The girls stepped up but they just left their run a bit too late.
“There is lots to work on and we had a few out with injury. But it was good to have everyone get a chance to play through their roles.’’
At Southport, a 14 member Broadbeach Cats had a nice win over Southport, 6-5-41 to three behinds.
Coach James Dofter said the exhaustive work rate of his reduced squad across the ground was responsible for the win.
He said the players lifted despite being tired.
“Our connections through the midfield are starting to gel and our forward line pressure was really good,’’ he praised.
Southport co-coach Marcus Gasik said the Sharks were simply outclassed.
At Oakman Park, fresh legs were the key for Victoria Point against a Wests Juniors’ side which was low in numbers, but which fought courageously.
“Wests only had 14 players available but still put our girls under a heap of pressure around the contest,’’ observed Victoria Point coach Trevor Mayhew.
“Eventually our fresh legs gave us the edge resulting in the score blowing out late,’’ Mayhew added.
Mayhew said he was pleased with the attack on the football and the manner in which players looked for teammates. “But there is still plenty to work on,’’ Mayhew said.
On the Gold Coast, in a fabulous clash between Burleigh Bombers and Tweed Coolangatta, the Bombers prevailed narrowly with a late goal on the buzzer to Alannah Welsh blowing out the margin to about 13 points.
It was a big effort by Burleigh who only had 15 players but who, according to coach Emma Otto, “played awesome’’.
She said the team had shape and were “were super strong through the structure’’.
“It was a super gutsy effort,’’ Otto said.
Tweed Cooly coach David Palmucci said “unfortunately a half of football doesn’t cut it in this competition, and Burleigh were good enough to make the most of it’’.
“Even with low numbers they out run us in transition and in open play,’’ he explained.
“We showed glimpses of our brand of football and came back in the second half but just couldn’t take our chances going forward to get our noses in front. Well done to Burleigh, the better team for longer.’’
He said the result stressed to his group that “if you’re not on your game each week, then other teams will jump on it’’. “Lots of lessons learnt,’’ Palmucci said.
Down by the bayside, the Sandgate Hawks had a gruelling win over Wilston Grange, with the home side displaying great desire to find the winners post.
Sandgate produced a 3-1 second quarter effort which put some space between themselves and the Gorillas - and Wilston Grange were never able to bridge the gap.
“It was a great, tough win,’’ said Sandgate coach Shane Watterson.
He said Keatsi-Eva French and Montannah Fabian led by exampe in a side which featured several under 15 players. “And they played some amazing footy,’’ Watterson said.
The 15s were Sophie Freier, CJ Elliott and Kiarna Perkins.
Wilston Grange coach Jamie Sceney said the Hawks “wanted it just a bit more than us today’’.
He said they won more contested footy and won more through the midfield. “We were down a little right across the park and just couldn’t get any momentum.
“Unfortunately we ran out of troops with a few injuries, but I am proud of the girls for the way they fought it out until the final siren.’’
At Moreton Bay Regional Sports Ground, home side the Lions had a percentage boosting win, 7.4-46 to Coorparoo’s 1-1-7.
Coorparoo had 13 players out and started with only 14 players, “but take nothing away from Moreton Bay’’.
“We could keep up with our leg speed we they fought hard and did their best,’’ said Roos coach Scott Harrison.
But the Coorparoo girls have shown they can win, having beaten Southport the previous week in what was their first win of the season.
In that winning performance Chloe Harrison shone from centre half back, and again against the Lions Harrison was among the best alongside Ava Ambler and Abby Ramage.
At Sherwood, it was a local derby, battle royale between the winners Sherwood and Yeronga, with the Magpies inching their way to victory.
“It was a battle all day and the result could have gone either way,’’ said Sherwood coach Chris Bloor. “But our team hung strong to the end.’’
Yeronga coach Jesse Baltus said despite the loss, it was one of the side’s best performances and “we came away pretty positive’’.
The Devils had early hardship through an injury, meaning no bench, but they battled away.
Sherwood’s best was Brogan Tomich who competed all day in the ruck, Georgia Lwin who competed hard as a focal point up forward and the Tame sisters (Zoe and Hayley) who held down the backline
For Yeronga, Sophie Dunne filled in as a ruck and won many taps after being thrust into the role following an injury to the regular ruck.
Mia Bevan, Isabelle Wheeler, Sienna Morassuti and Goldie Poultney were also terrific for Yeronga.
In Div 2 action, Mt Grravatt-Jindalee Mags played Aspley at Aspley which is always a tough game.
In what was a hotly contested match Jade Williams provided an edge at full forward and Tiana Limperakis was her crafty self.
“Taneka Dhadlie was wonderful patrolling our backline after her seniors debut on Saturday,’’ said coach Damien King.
“Lauren Norfolk gave first possession to our midfielders, who were able to win it in tight and spread to the right space.
Goals: Tiana Limperakis, Jade Williams, Jordyn Dornhart, Jessica Williams and Chloe Batrachenko.
And on the Gold Coast, the Northern Rivers girls travelled up to Veracity Oval for a Round 8 match up against the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions.
The team had been reduced to minimum numbers due to injuries over the last few weeks, but displayed great depth including the elevation of “some outstanding 15s girls’’, according to coach Steve Foreman.
“The match was played in perfect conditions in front of a appreciative crowd,’’ he said.
“The Tigers teed off with a goal in the first minute through outstanding centre clearance led by Billi Hutton and Jade Rettenmaier, only for Palm Beach Lions to respond quickly with a classy goal ran in from the wing..
“The Lions really applied the attacking pressure right through the quarter,’’ Foreman said.
“Great defensive work and discipline from key Tigers backs Ash Rettenmaier, Bonnie Starling and Savannah Hampson kept them out.
“A late goal in the first quarter to Zoey Hastings and early second goals to Allanah McNally and Heidi Grimster kept the scoreboard pressure hot..
“The centreline ascendency grew through the third and final quarters with rover Allanah McNally amassing over 30 touches, assisting at half back and driving us forward.’’
The Lions wide running pressure kept it a close and enthralling contest till the end. Both sides fought hard right up to the final siren..
Final Scores- Tweed Coast Northern Rivers Tigers- 5.10- 40 def Palm Beach Currumbin Lions- 4.3 -27..
Best for Tigers - Allanah McNally, Heidi Grimster, Billi Hutton, Wren Hynes, Bonnie Starling, Taleeya Smith, Ari Brown
BEST PLAYERS, round 8
Zali Bubb (Maroochydore) was game official BoG for the Maroochydore side, with the tall ruck rising to the occasion.
But she had plenty of helpers, particularly from the Roos back division where the likes of Hayley Spivey, Lilly Thomas, Sophie Schulze, Isabella Fernandez and Jemma Foley were rocks.
Surfers Paradise trio Sunny Lappin, Alicia Gordon and Rhanni Wilson were their team’s best, with Gordon’s midfield play dynamic and Wilson a target down forward.
“Alicia, our captain, set up really well behind the footy but she also had that explosive play through half back and the midfield which opened up our game,’’ said Surfers coach Chanel Fletcher.
“She linked up really well with Sunny Lappin whose overhead marks and ability to run down the field shone. They did a couple of one-two passages of play which was really good to see.
“And Rhanni was a tackling machine, displaying the aggression we needed to get us back on top.’’
Stormie Jade Holub-Huttunen and Skye White (both Burleigh)
Skipper Stormie was an inspiration the way she locked down the backline, and then offered communication to her midfield while White was enormous in the ruck against quality opposition.
Keatsi-Eva French and Montannah Fabian (Sandgate)
In a side featuring a number of young, inexperienced players, French and Fabian rose to the occasion in a gruelling win over quality rivals.
Elke McCulloch and Allannah Welsh (both Burleigh)
Not for the first time this season the hungry at footy midfield player McCulloch was a driving force around the ball while Alannah Welsh had a great game forward and was “explosive out of the packs’’.
Sienna Burnham, Jamiee Stuart (both Broadbeach)
Burnham’s running game through the midfield was difficult to keep a lid on, while Stuart was a strong presence in the forward line.
Harriette Banner, Abby Schumacher (both Broadbeach)
The Cats victory was based around effort and to the fore were unsung heroes Banner and Schumacher. The girls were dependable backline soldiers for Broadbeach.
Lauren Game, Mya Neesey (Southport)
Southport were well beaten but this dynamic duo did their best to inspire their teammates.
Tiffany O’Keefe, Clara Cooke, Annie Wallace, Kirra de Ridder, Mia Tempest, Chloe Campbell (all Victoria Point):
Victoria fought long and hard to overcome a gritty Wests, with Cooke, Tempest and Campbell all to the fore alongside O’Keefe, Wallace and de Ridder. This super six’s consistent efforts across the game helped wear down their gutsy rivals.
Sophie Allen and Summer Hamilton (Wilston Grange)
Allen competed hard in the ruck and delivered her side great drive out of the backline, while Summer Hamilton was her usual lively self up forward.
Issy Levine (Wilston Grange)
Levine kep putting her head over the ball and winning the contested possession.
Chloe Harrison, Ava Ambler and Abby Ramage (Coorparoo).
All three fought hard in a losing team performance, with Harrison’s work through the middle and Ramage’s work down back excellent.
Brogan Tomich, Georgia Lwin and Zoe and Hayley Tame (Sherwood)
Tomich was enormous in the ruck and Lwin a focal point up forward, while the Tame sisters (Zoe and Hayley) who held down the backline.
Sophie Dunne (Yeronga)
Dunne was courageous in the ruck against Tomich. Mia Bevan, Isabelle Wheeler, Sienna Morassuti and Goldie Poultney were also terrific for Yeronga.
Tiana Limperakis, Taneka Dhadlie, Lauren Norfolk, Shae Gordon, Chloe Batrachenko and Enah Desic (MAGS)
Mt Gravatt Jindalee performed as a team but these players helped give the side an edge in the Div 2 encounter.
Allanah McNally, Heidi Grimster, Billi Hutton, Wren Hynes, Bonnie Starling, Taleeya Smith, Ari Brown (all Tweed Coast Northern Rivers)
Basic Points table
Surfers Paradise 28
Burleigh Bombers 24
Sherwood Magpies 2
Maroochy Roos 20
Victoria Point Sharks 20
Sandgate Hawks 18
Wilston Grange Gorillas 16
Tweed Coolangatta Blues 12
Wests Juniors 12
Broadbeach Cats 12
Moreton Bay Lions 12
Yeronga Devils 10
Coorparoo Roos 6
Southport Sharks 4
Originally published as SEQ AFL girls under 17 Div 1 clash of finals’ intensity
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