QUEENSLAND has suffered a heavy loss in its first NAB AFLW Under-19 Championship game for 2021, losing to Vic Country by 54 points at North Port Oval on Sunday.
The well-disciplined and fierce Queensland side performed much better than the scoreboard suggested, particularly in the midfield, but broke down across half-forward.
Country did most of the damage across the second and third quarters, piling on 8.2 and holding the visitors to 1.2 in that time.
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Despite Queensland controlling much of the first quarter, it was Vic Country which broke the scoring deadlock when small forward Tahlia Meier pounced on a loose ball, calmly slotting it home.
Late inclusion Country forward Zoe Garth also hit the scoreboard, before Imogen Evans opened Queensland's account in the dying stages of the first.
Meier, a GWV Rebel who is eligible for the draft this year, proved to be a constant thorn in Queensland's side, booting three goals from her 13 disposals.
Christine Okesene – who was invited to last year's NAB AFLW Combine – was tenacious in defence for Queensland, with teammates Tegan Levi (16 disposals and six clearances) and Abby Hewett (16 and eight) working tirelessly all day in the midfield.
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Country's Gabbi Featherston kicked the goal of the day from 40 metres on a tight angle, while Jaide Anthony was outstanding in defence, finishing with a game-high 19 disposals and three marks.
Anthony was also named Country’s MVP after her efforts across the team’s championships.
Queensland had missed the opening portion of the under-19 championships in April due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the state, but will play its second and final game against Vic Metro at Metricon Stadium next Saturday.
VIC COUNTRY 2.0 6.1 10.2 12.4 (76)
QUEENSLAND 1.1 2.1 2.3 3.4 (22)
GOALS
Vic Country: Meier 3, Scott 2, Di Donato 2, Garth, Schaap, Featherston, Richards, Tierney
Queensland: Evans, Tarlinton, Sheridan
BEST
Vic Country: Anthony, Meier, Smith, Leonard, Scott, Slender
Queensland: Levi, Hewett, Liessi, Okesene, Gee, Harmer
