State of Origin

These were the stakes when NSW played ACT in the Interstate Challenge on the weekend as the under 15 and under 18 state teams vied for victory.

In the under 15’s match, the game started brightly as both teams tentatively felt each other out. The NSW team had a height disadvantage compared to their ACT counterparts, so the tactic was to use their superior leg speed instead and use space on the wings. After some inaccurate kicking, at the end of the first quarter it was ACT 1.4.10 to NSW 0.1.1.

In the second quarter, ACT captain Sophie O’Dea started to assert herself on proceedings using the skills gained from playing against older opponents in the ACT Womens Football Competition. In a tight second half only nine points separated the two teams.

In the final quarter NSW tried their best to clinch victory but couldn’t manage to put pressure on the scoreboard as ACT ran out 6.8.44 to 3.4.22 winners. For the ACT, it was a fantastic victory which saw the side retain the trophy. 

In the under-18 match, ACT turned up ready to play and from the get-go their midfielders ran the ball beautifully and pumped the ball long and accurately into the forward line. In the first quarter it was four goals to one and from there, NSW were unlucky to not put more scoreboard pressure on with the side kicking four behinds.

In the 3rd quarter NSW tightened up the key playmakers for the ACT, with the home team only able to score two goals for the quarter, however they were unable to sustain the pressure in the final quarter as ACT were able to pile on the goals 4 to 1 to run out very convincing winners 13.5.83 to 2.6.18.

Following the weekend, a squad of 40 players has been named to represent NSW/ACT at the inaugural AFL Youth Girls National Championships to be held in Melbourne in September.

Click here to see the squad.