NSW/ACT 14.10 (94) defeated Queensland 10.9 (69) in the first match of a double-header at Visy Park in Melbourne, after the matches were moved from a rain-soaked Gold Coast.
The contest was even early on – Queensland led by one point at the main break – before NSW/ACT booted seven goals to three in the second half.
Chaz Sargeant was particularly eye-catching in attack for the Rams. The mid-sized forward booted three goals, but it was his contested marking and sure hands that was a constant feature of his play. Five of his eight grabs were contested.
St Kilda scholarship holder Josh Duncan was the game's leading ball-winner with 29 touches. The Ram also had a game-high seven inside 50s.
Dylan McNeil, who impressed for NSW/ACT last year and was also a dominant ball-winner at under-16 level, started the carnival in fine form. He collected 26 disposals to further enhance his reputation.
For Queensland, both ruckman were impressive. Rory Thompson and Charlie Dixon, who have already been signed by Gold Coast, shone with 29 and 10 hit-outs respectively. Declan Bevan also had 13.
The Scorpions smashed the Rams in that area with 54 hit-outs to 20.
Queensland's Josh Thomas, who had the most touches (14) to half-time, was his side's leading possession winner with 21.
Skipper Marc Lock, who has not been signed to Gold Coast, showed some good signs, as did Mitch Harley. The duo combined for 36 touches.
Some familiar football names also featured: NSW/ACT's Will Langford, the son of recent Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee Chris, and Queensland's Alik Magin, the younger brother of Essendon rookie Rhys.
Queensland 4.5 7.6 10.6 10.9 (69)
NSW/ACT 3.1 7.5 13.6 14.10 (94)
GOALS
Queensland: Fowler 3, Hutchinson 2, Manzone 2, Dixon, Jamieson, Thomson
NSW/ACT: Emery 3, Sargeant 3, McNeil 2, Sergrave 2, Camilleri, Duncan, Johns, Miles
BEST
Queensland: Harley, Hutchinson, Spring, Thomas, Thompson, Jamieson
NSW/ACT: Williams, McNeill, Sargeant, Tutt, Lawton, Johns
Match one played at Visy Park, Carlton
