TASMANIA has recorded a comfortable 33-point victory over Queensland at Skilled Stadium on Thursday to win back-to-back Division Two titles in the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships.
Tasmania leapt out of the blocks and led by 23 points at quarter-time through great link up play and strong running through the middle of the ground.
They were proactive in the way they moved the ball, and they capitalised on their chances when they were there to be taken.
Key midfielder John McKenzie was again prolific in the midfield, winning 24 possessions to go along with his two goals.
Daniel Joseph was composed and skilful with 16 disposals, while Ben Brown was impressive in the ruck with 17 possessions, five clearances and three goals.
By half-time the game looked to be over as Tasmania extended its lead to 30 points with its players running all over the opposition.
They linked up through the middle of the ground, easily accounting for Queensland in handball receives (92-53) as they ran in droves off half-back to offer options further afield.
To Queensland’s credit it fought back to kick three goals in a row early in the third term to close the margin to 10 points.
Jackson Allen was the catalyst in their mini-revival with his piercing kicking skills, while Clay Cameron worked hard to present up forward.
Tasmania steadied with goals to Joseph and Michael Musicka in the third term, before Queensland came again with a goal to Aaron Laskey, who was the northerners' best player with 14 possessions and two goals.
Tasmania kicked five goals in a row in the last quarter, including two to Brown, before Alan Sexton and Allen kicked two to make the margin respectable.
Ultimately, it was the polish of McKenzie and Joseph and the natural ball winning ability of Bradley Cox-Gooyer (18 possesions and five inside 50s), as well as the rebound of Jarrod Hibberd (15 disposals) that carried the Mariners to victory.
Tasmania 4.2 6.5 5.8 13.7 (85)
Queensland 0.3 1.5 8.6 7.10 (52)
Goals
Tasmania: Brown 3, Musicka 2, McKenzie 2, Joseph 2, Hislop, McCulloch, Lonergan, Dobosz
Queensland: Laskey 2, Sexton 2, Cameron, Davidson, Allen
Best
Tasmania: Brown, McKenzie, Jenkins, Smith, Schade, Joseph
Queensland: Reynolds, Allen, Starcevic, Cameron, Laskey, Oxley
