2016 Female Diversity Championships DAY 2 Match Report Kickstart South Australia were still searching for their first win of the season after being on the end of a brilliant team performance from Victoria. The Vics took the game convincingly, setting up the match in the first half, to sit comfortably 15 points up at half-time. Hailee-Jane Stokes was a stalwart in defence halting the South Australians entry as Chelsea Briggs-Baksh kicked a goal and produced plenty of assists in the 4.7 (31) to 0-1 (1) victory. Kickstart A blistering second half from Tasmania saw the side nearly pinch their first win of the Kickstart tournament when taking on NSW/ACT. Frantic calls were coming from the Tasmanian bench as the ball hovered around centre half forward in the final minutes of the game. But on the last line of defence Rheanin Booth took a strong mark in the goal square to ensure her side would take victory. Erin Naden backed up stunning performances on the first day with another blistering game. She showed her class with an outstanding run through the centre of the ground shrugging off a host of opposition players to send the ball inside fifty, helping her team to a 1.4 (10) to 1.0 (6) win. All Nations Northern Territory may not have got the result against Western Australia but their sportsmanship on the field reflected the meaning of inclusion at the tournament. Both sides shared a laugh and a chat before the second half got underway, but pleasantries stopped when the ball was thrown up. Although loud cheers erupted when the Territorians scored their first major of the competition, the Western Australians were far too dominant winning 8.6 (54) to 2.1 (13). All Nations The South Australians were ranked second on the All Nations ladder at the end of the first day’s play and there was a clear reason for this. Their controlled movement of the ball against Queensland is a testament to coaching from Malcolm Thiel who has given the players confidence to trust their decision making. With a stoic defence and ease of transition from the back line the South Australians are pressing for a grand final spot with their 5.4 (34) defeat of Queensland 2.4 (16). Kickstart The final game of the morning session saw the goal of the tournament so far kicked by Western Australia’ s Monique Riley. Reflecting Jack Fitzpatrick’s long bomb that sent Hawthorn fans into a frenzy in round 23 this year, Riley sailed a kick from outside the fifty into open space, as the crowd cheered in amazement when the ball bounced through for a goal. Riley’s major sealed the Western Australian’s 4.1 (25) win over Queensland who had more scoring shots but only put 1.5. (11) on the scoreboard. Kickstart Following an education session at the lunch break Victoria and the Northern Territory battled in an entertaining contest. The Victorians were strong against a brilliant opposition, but the Territorians always conjured a way to find space. Mekala Durrurrnga sailed a kick straight over the umpire’s head to open up her side’s scoring as the Northern Territory took a 15-point lead into half-time. Although the Victorians clawed their way to within a point via two majors to Chelsea Briggs-Baksh, the Northern Territory players always had the goal posts within sight. Freda Puruntatameri, Gerrica Heenan, Jacinta Anderson all scored majors within quick succession to record a 6.5 (41) to 3.2 (20) victory. All Nations Western Australia’s Scovia Azizoa was instrumental in her side’s commanding win against NSW/ACT. Her supreme control of the football saw her take a telling grab using one hand, snapping around the body to put the first of her two opening-half goals on the board. A late major from NSW/ACT saw the side remain in contention at half- time but Western Australia blew the game open following the break. Already 20 points up at half time, the Western Australian dominance continued as they piled on six more goals, exiting the field pleased with their 56-point victory. All Nations A sensational last ditch effort from Zimmorlei Farquharson saw her Queensland side clinch a thriller against Victoria. A reliable defender for the majority of the match, Farquharson provided added attack for her team, which trailed by five points late in the game. Her strong lead gave her the opportunity to line up a set shot and become the hero for her side. Kicking truly to put her side in front with just 20 seconds remaining, Queensland celebrated the victory as if it was a final. Kickstart Western Australia remained undefeated following four games in the Kickstart Championships. Defeating NSW/ACT in a one-sided affair the margin could have been even greater than what the scoreboard showed at full time. With a comprehensive 59-0 win, the Western Australians were not short of scoring opportunities, with the scoreboard showing 8.11 at the match’s end. Kickstart There were jubilant scenes as Tasmania took home its first win of the championship against its South Australian rivals. Both teams covered plenty of ground in the opening half as the ball went end to end with the states equally strong in the backline. But the momentum swung in Tasmania’s favour, with the Tigers a difficult force to stop once they started scoring. Mia King played a pivotal role in the side’s blistering second half. Gaining countless clearances and finishing off with a spectacular goal from the right pocket, King’s Tasmanian teammates celebrated their glorious 29-point victory. All Nations Two of the most dominant states in the All Nations tournament in South Australia and Victoria went head to head in an exciting contest of a pair of well drilled sides. Victoria’s Gabby Cleeman gave her side the break, capitalising on a rare mistake from the South Australian defence to send a shot sailing over the goal umpire’s head. But Hannah Ewings fought back for the team in red and black, taking a spectacular pack mark and converting to put South Australia on the scoreboard. With only four points separating the states at half-time, the Victorians took control of the game. A 5.1 (31) to 2.3 (15) win gives the Victorians confidence should they come up against South Australia in the big dance on Thursday. All Nations Northern Territory produced their strongest showing of the tournament against a highly skilled NSW/ACT unit. While the final scoreline read a 46-point victory in favour of NSW/ACT, the Territorians produced sustained pressure in the opening half. But they could only apply this for so long, with Tima Tapugao pressing selection for the full back position in the Australian All Nations squad. Tapugao even put her name on the scoreboard, pushing up the ground to fully complete an already brilliant performance. Kickstart Switching to the yellow ball Northern Territory and Western Australia played in a thrilling match to end day 2 of action under lights at Deakin Reserve, Shepparton. The Northern Territory worked hard to create a two goal lead, but the Western Australians gained the ascendancy late in the first half pegging the margin back by a goal as they entered the break. Within three minutes the team from the west had drawn scores levels as coaches and players prepared for a nail biting finish. Nailing a goal from point blank range was the Northern Territory’s Tiahne Clarke, but there was plenty of time left on the clock. Western Australia worked their way to a one point lead, but a desperate rushed behind in the last 20 seconds of play saw Northern Territory draw the scores level 3.2 (20). .