AAMI SA U18 Girls defeat Allies in Game 2

By ZAC MILBANK

The AAMI SA U18 Girls Team has continued its unbeaten start to the Marsh AFL U18 National Championships after edging past the Allies by nine points in Game 2 at Alberton Oval.

Full of confidence after a statement-making 52-point opening win against Western Australia, the Croweaters ramped up their intensity in the second half to kick 3.3 to the visitors’ 1.6 across the final two terms.

With scores locked together at 2.4 (16) at half-time, the hosts were more efficient in front of goal as Polly Turner, Elke Cameron and Chelsea Newitt all kicked meaningful majors with the game on the line.

After a goalless opening quarter for both sides, it was the Croweaters who struck first with a fine set shot finish for Isabella Beaumont after an assist from captain Emma Charlton.

The Allies were able to settle though, ensuring they would be at level pegging during the main interval before Brad Snell’s outfit went to work in the second half.

Snell and his coaching team rated Olivia Leslie as the AAMI SA U18 Girls Team’s best performer in Game 2 while Lani Cocks found plenty of the Sherrin to finish with a team-high 23 disposals and six clearances.

Versatile utilities Miyu Endersby (12 disposals, 34 hit outs) and Turner (11 disposals, four marks and a goal) were also influential as five Croweaters found themselves on the goal kickers list.

The Croweaters will again play at Alberton Oval in Game 3, taking on Victoria Metro on Saturday, before heading to Melbourne to tackle Queensland on Saturday, July 11.

South Australia  0.3  2.4  4.6  5.7 (37)

Allies  0.2  2.4  2.7  3.10 (26)

BEST – SA:  Olivia Leslie, Lani Cocks, Miyu Endersby, Polly Turner, Lucy Moore, Caitlin Hardin.

GOALS – SA: Polly Turner, Elke Cameron, Chelsea Newitt, Layla Vizguadis, Isabella Beaumont.

At Alberton Oval