After finishing fifth in last years State Championships, the Southern Stars were out to prove a point and prove a point they did.
The Stars went through the pool stages of the competition defeating every side at the Championships and did it in emphatic fashion. Round robin results;
Game 1: Southern Stars 8.5 (53) def. North Queensland 0.1 (1)
Game 2: Southern Stars 4.1 (25) def. Brisbane 1.5 (11)
Game 3: Southern Stars 13.2 (80) def. Central Coast 2.0 (12)
Game 4: Southern Stars 2.4 (16) def. Cape York 0.0 (0)
Going through the Pool stages undefeated was an outstanding feat in itself. The Southern Stars finished the regular pool stages on top of the ladder with Brisbane in second, who only lost to the Stars. It was always going to be an uphill battle for the Stars, as Brisbane had a perfect draw with no games on Day 3 before the Grand-Final. After two perfect days of competition for the Southern Stars, day 3 showed the otherside of football.
After playing Cape York early on Sunday morning in heavy rain, the Stars perfect weekend was coming undone. A few injuries to key players in Keeley McClelland (elbow), Jess Harvey (neck) and Kristy Ferguson (concussion) and on top of the injuries, the Stars had to face a fresh Brisbane in the Championship decider.
The Grand-Final was a game that will go down in Youth Girls football, as one of the all time great games. Both Southern Stars and Brisbane squads will remember this as a tight defensive struggle. The halftime score of 0.1 (1) to 0.1 (1) shows the closeness of both sides. The final score of Southern Stars 1.2 (8) def. by Brisbane 1.3 (9). Stars centre-half back and vice captain Naomi Simpson was named best on ground in the decider.
Injured fullforward Keeley McClelland was awarded the State Championships leading goal-kicker, while Stars midfielder Zoe Lattanzi finished as runner-up in the Championships MVP award. The Southern Stars had six girls named in the under 16 Queensland All Stars squad; Jade Loch, Isabella Baldock, Grace Krautz, Zoe Lattanzi, Wendy Bristow and Bethany Pinchin.
A big congratulations to all involved, a fantastic effort by all and outstanding result.
Last Modified on 28/11/2011 10:51
