THE Tassie Mariners' hopes for the national under-18 football championships at the end of the month received a setback in Melbourne yesterday.
They were convincingly beaten by Queensland in their lead-up Challenge Cup match at Optus Oval, 10.14 (74) to 6.9 (45).
Coached by former Brisbane Lion Craig McRae, the Queenslanders outran the Mariners and showed more intensity in close.
"They led all day and got away from us in the second and last quarters,'' Mariners coach Hamish Ogilvie said.
"They were pretty much at full strength but we've got some good players to come back which makes me optimistic we will do better the next time we meet them at the under 18 championships.''
The Mariners missed key forward Todd Grima, who kicked seven and three goals in his previous two games.
Also to come back are onballers Sam Lonergan and and Matthew Wade.
Best for the Mariners were Sam Iles and Jason Howard in the midfield, Jack Riewoldt at centre half-back, utility Mitchell Thorp and newcomer James Armstrong across half-back.
The players who did the damage for Queensland were midfielders Daniel Dzufer, Gavin Urquhart and Daniel Green.
By: DAVID STOCKDALE
Last Modified on 14/06/2005 16:42