The Under 17’s Capricornia Cobras Youth Girls team competed at the state championships down in Brisbane on the 23rd to the 26th of October.
The girls came from across the region and even two girls from the Gold Coast gelled together as a team to finish 2nd in Division 2 which is the region’s best performance at the state championships.
The cobras started their championships against the Wide Bay Wildcats on Thursday night. Despite Thursday night being the first time the girls had been together as a team; the team didn’t show any problems coming together as they beat the wildcats by points. Tashina Ketchup racked up the possessions across the middle of the field one of our Gold Coast imports Laikyn Dove was dominant in the ruck giving the midfield first use of the footy. Although it was a great start to the championships for the girls 14 behinds which gave the coach a few nervous moments late in the game. Final score Cobras 3.14.32 wildcats 2.3.15. The cobras were lucky enough to have Emily Bates (Western Bulldogs player) came and spoke about what it takes to climb the mountain and how important hard work is.
On the Friday the girls knew they would be up against it with two games in the blistering heat against Mackay and Townsville. Before the girls were released to play footy; they were lucky enough to get a tour around the Gabba by Brisbane Lions player Jordan Bourke. The tour gave the girls a great understanding with what’s involved to play AFL at the highest level and how important it is to be a professional during the season and in the off season.
Despite the heat the girls kept the ball rolling with a big win against Mackay Vipers. The team focused on their pressure and tackling for the game and they delivered. Justine Kusu was excellent with her forward pressure and Jackie Ahwang proved her flexibility down forward kicking a goal and playing in the ruck as well. Taneil Burton showed her versatility playing in the midfield for the second half after dominating at full back for the first half. Final score Cobras 10.7.67 vipers 1.1.7.
There wasn’t much time for the girls to savour the win against the vipers with the Eagles just around the corner. With their legs starting to fatigue and the heat not getting any easier; the cobras started slow against a very quick and elusive Eagles team. The girls were down at half time but never thought they were out of the game knowing they could step up their pressure and tackling in the second half and it started from the bounce. The pressure increased, the tackles started to stick and the forwards were reaping the rewards. Hannah Davidson pushed herself to the absolute limits dragging the team across the line. Keely Watts was dominant at centre half back and Tashina Ketchup was a tackling machine to help the cobras with the win. The most pleasing thing about the two games was the backline with neither Mackay nor Townsville scoring a point in the second half against the Cobras. Final score Cobras 6.5.41 eagles 3.1.19
Saturday was a matchup of two different styled sides going head to head to stay unbeaten. The Darling Downs Demons had been very impressive in all their games so far with no team scoring a point against them before they came up against the cobras. Both sides weren’t going to take a step back despite knowing they would play against each other the next day in the Grand Final. The girls pushed the demons for the whole game but unfortunately were over powered in the end. The highlight of the game was a rolling goal from the centre square by Taneil Burton. Arwa Gulf-Wateron was outstanding playing a shutdown role on the Demons MVP Shaleise Law. The whole backline stood up strong despite the constant pressure from the demons and Hannah Davidson again showed her courage and leadership throughout the game. Final score Demons 5.2.32 Cobras 1.2.8
Grand Final day was just around the corner and the cobras were up against the demons again. Regardless of the day result on Saturday; the girls were going in confident that they could cause a big upset. The first quarter was footy at its best with girls from both teams putting their bodies on the line but the demons took the upper hand with a 13 point lead at quarter time. The second quarter was just as hard with only goal kicked by darling downs which gave them a 23 point lead at half time.
The cobras were starting to look like walking wounded but that didn’t stop them wanting to get out of the field to do their part for the team. The third quarter went the same as the second quarter which only a goal kicked by the demons but neither team slowed down going into the last quarter. Despite being down two girls going into the last quarter the cobras weren’t going to give up and fought to the very end. The cobras ended up going down to the demons by 42 points but gained plenty of admirers with the way they attacked the footy throughout all their games.
Arwa was again a stand out with another shutdown performance. Taneil Burton and Hannah Davidson were throwing their bodies around for the whole game to help the team. With any Grand Final run there is always a story of someone who wouldn’t give in and for the cobras it was Keely Watts. It was later found out that she had a grade 2 tear in her calf muscle and ligament damage in both of her legs in the Darling Downs game the day prior. That didn’t stop her from playing in the Grand Final as the Cobras fullback where she was rebounding the ball constantly from the backline.
The Cobras finished second in Division 2 in their first year as a standalone region and it was the team’s best result at the state championships. A big thanks to AFL Capricornia League who helped sponsor the team, Samantha Coles, Eilish Grundon and Emily Wastle who were apart of the coaching staff, Breeanna Brock from AFL Queensland who organised the championships and to the parents who came down to Brisbane. Lastly big congratulations to the girls on such a great championships. With the girls unfortunately not winning a game last year to making the Grand Final this year shows how much improvement the girls have made over the past 12 months and you should all be very proud of what you were able to achieve. Congratulations to Taneil Bruton who was the Cobra’s MVP for the championships, Justine Kusu who received most committed and Hannah Davidson who received the most courageous award.
Well done to Hannah Davidson, Taneil Bruton and Tashina Ketchup who were selected in the Level 2 Queensland Academy squad. Also well done to Taivia Dunne who was selected in the Level 1 Queensland Academy squad!
Last Modified on 05/11/2014 11:19