By Ant Wingard
Queensland have suffered a convincing defeat in their first of three matches on the Gold Coast with a slow start enough to fall to a dominant Victoria Country side at Metricon Stadium.
Country ran away convincing winners in the 3.1 (19) to 9.7 (61) contest having etched a solid 27-point lead at half time.
Two goals in each of the opening two quarters made life tough for Queensland, who to half time had struggled to move the ball past a repelling Country back six and had just one behind to their name at the main break.
In the second half however, Queensland found their footing in the contest and scored two classy goals on the counter attack.
Firstly, Townsville produce Daisy D’Arcy snapped truly after beating her defender one on one while Zimi Farquharson, another inclusion into the Round 2 side, roved a pack following an inside 50 and too hit pay dirt.
The two majors kept Queensland in the hunt however when Olivia Barber kicked another Country goal within the first minute of play in the final term, the result was all but sealed.
Country claimed a dominant win in the inside 50 count 34 to 18 while also winning the clearances 21 to 15, despite the efforts of Lily Postlethwaite (18 disposals, three clearances).
For Queensland, Serene Watson led the ball winners with a team-high 21 disposals in the back half while Madi Levi’s reputation as a fearsome tackler also held strong after she laid seven tackles in the loss.
Following the game, Queensland coach James Gellie commended his side however identified that there was still plenty of room for improvement.
“I thought we competed really well but we just weren’t clean enough around the ball which created the pressure,” Gellie told aflq.com.au.
“Vic Country were able to control the ball a bit better and were a lot cleaner than what we were.
“Our efforts and intentions are really good. We play for each other has been really good but we have to develop a bit of the outside of the contest type of stuff.
“We keep improving every time we play, we just have to tidy up on a few little things.”
RELATED: Queensland fall to Vic Metro in muddy conditions
Queensland will face the Central Allies this Friday, 2:00pm, at Bond University.
Queensland v Victoria Country
Monday July 8, 11:00am
Metricon Stadium
Queensland: 3.1 (19) def. by Victoria Country: 9.7 (61)
Queensland goals: D. D’arcy, Z. Farquharson, T. Smith.
