By Jed Lanyon
The Eastern Ranges Under 19 Girls returned to NAB League action after a month out as the AFLW Under 19 Championships took place.
The Ranges met the Northern Territory Thunder at Highgate Recreation Reserve, and despite an early scare, left with a 25 point win to finish the home and away season.
The long layoff between games was evident after a scoreless first term from the Ranges.
The Under 19s soon found their groove with back-to-back goals from Georgia Wilson and one from Matilda Hardy brought the game back into their favour.
From there, the Ranges defenders managed to keep the Thunder scoreless for the remainder of the game, while Jorja Livingstone and Alyssia Pisano hit the scoreboard. It’s the fourth occasion from the Ranges’ eight games where they held their opponents to ten points or less.
Pisano finishes the NAB League season atop the goal kicking leaderboard with an average of 2 goals a game. Her 16 goals sits six in front of the next best in the Under 19 Girls.
The Ranges girls are finals bound now and will meet the Northern Knights at Warrawee Park at 12pm Saturday 1 May. The Knights hold a win over the Ranges from their encounter earlier in the year.
Meanwhile the Under 19 Boys will return to their local leagues after a month-long break to the season. The Ranges boys will be looking to get their season back on track following losses to the Chargers and the Devils after a trip to Tasmania.
Ranges talent Tyler Sonsie featured in the NAB AFL Academy team which played against Geelong’s VFL squad on Saturday 24 April.
Eastern Ranges: 0.0, 3.1, 5.2, 5.2 – 32
NT Thunder: 1.1, 1.1, 1.1, 1.1 – 7
Goals: G. Wilson 2, J. Livingstone, A. Pisano, M. Hardy
Best: K. Sherar, R. O’Dwyer, J. Livingstone, G. Campbell, L. Stone, G. Walsh
