The Scorpions 12.8 (80) defeated the Thunder 6.7 (43) at the TEAC Oval in Port Melbourne on Saturday afternoon to complete the first day of the championships, which runs from July 5-13.
After the Northern Territory took a slender lead into quarter-time, Queensland fought back to lead at every other change and hold the Thunder goalless in the second half, as they could muster just four behinds for that period.
Queensland’s victory was largely set-up due to an outstanding second term from Bill Cleary who booted four consecutive goals for the quarter. He finished with six goals for the match – all coming in the first-half. But apart from his 6.1 for the match, his aerial display was just as spectacular, as he finished with seven marks – including four in the second term.
Jake Furfaro, returning for his second championship, was another fine player for Queensland, as he finished with 18 disposals – including 13 kicks and five handballs – and eight marks, while James Rozynski, Leigh Ryswyk and Rory Lake were others to shine for the Maroons.
For the Northern Territory, Raphael Clarke – the brother of St Kilda young-gun Xavier – booted four goals and finished the match with 16 possessions, while Cameron Ilett, Harold Calma, Joel Campbell and Steven Rioli were among the Thunder’s better players.
An entertaining first term saw the Thunder open with two in quick succession before the Scorpions hit back with two in a row. It was then goal-for-goal for the remainder of the quarter and at the first break, the Northern Territory led by just two points.
Cleary single-handedly turned the game around for Queensland, when he booted all four of his team’s goals – all within eight minutes – to give the Scorpions a 10-point lead at half-time. Clarke was the only goalkicker for the Northern Territory during that period with two majors.
The goalscoring dried up in the third term when only goal was added, which came via the Scorpions’ Jay Drummond, while the Thunder was unable to put it through the big sticks.
Queensland took a 15-point lead into the final term and when the Scorpions added three goals to zip in the last quarter, the result was never in doubt.
QUEENSLAND: 4.0 8.1 9.3 12.8 (80)
NORTHERN TERRITORY: 4.2 6.3 6.6 6.7 (43)
GOALS: Queensland: Cleary 6, Ehlich 3, Baker, Drummond, McIver
Northern Territory: Clarke 4, Calma, Rioli,
BEST: Queensland: Cleary, Furfaro, Rozynski, Ryswyk, Pavone, Lake
Northern Territory: Ilett, Bailey, Rioli, Calma, Clarke, Campbell
At TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne
