On day 1 Queensland Sunfire had to wait 6 hours before they could set foot on the turf. By that stage it was cold, overcast and damp - not ideal footy conditions for northerners! So on Day 2 it was no surprise when they bounded onto the groundin the welcome sunshine and in game 2 for the day.
Sunfire's attack on the ball and constant pressure put Team WA under pressure and the WA girls did not handle the ball cleanly. After a battle of the midfields, the first term finished with one goal scored a piece.
Chelsea Randall showed why she is an All Australian player meeting the opposition soilidly in the 2nd term and taking some strong marks to provide the linkage between the backline and attack. Rikki Ryder made her presence felt through some hard running on the wing. WA were able to capitalise and were 5 5 35 to 1 2 8 at half time.
The game changed markedly after half time with Queensland being more body on body and unsettling the lighter framed WA girls. Sunfire showed far more precise passing by hand and foot and got their running game together. Jade Pregelj and Asta Naden in particular were superb for Queensland. Consequently they kicked 3 goals for the quarter to WA's no score. It was game on!
The first 5 minutes of the last quarter was like a table tennis game between WA's wing and half forward line. Sunfire tackling was brutal and WA were unable to capitalise on their forays forward. Finally after a soccer on the goal line, WA booted a goal to prodiuce a result for their efforts.
Some classy evasive work from Kirby Bentley that resulted in a goal did not dent Sunfire's spirit despite being 30 points down. Butland who had rucked superbly all game, won the tap and the maroons were away. However Bentley was everywhere and proved too elusive. Queensland turned the ball and that was the last time they entered their attacking 50.
Team WA: 8 10 58
Q: 4 4 28
Goal scorers: Team WA: Aimee Venn (2), Shelley Matcham, Louise Knitter, Renee Forth, Tiah Haynes, Chelsea Randall, Kirby Bentley Q: Sherie Sayle, Lauretta Dowlinbg, Katie Brennan, Asta Naden
Best players: Team WA - Chelsea Randall, Kirby Bentley, Tiah Haynes, Dana Hooker, Jodie White
Q - Jade Pregelj, Asta Naden, Emma Zielke, Kate Lutkins, Selina Goodman, Jo Butland
Last Modified on 08/06/2011 13:34