With a distinct Illawarra flavour in the decider, Kieran scored twice and Blake – who finished with 11 for the tournament – once, but Queensland had too much firepower in the 5-3 victory on Sunday evening. The loss came as Blackbutt’s Mikaela Patterson and Gerringong’s Grace Stewart celebrated a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Queenslanders in the women’s final.

Australian representative player Tristan White rued the Waratahs’ missed chances, after they slipped behind 2-nil and 4-1, only to fightback to within one goal.

Maroons’ Dylan Wotherspoon was the difference scoring the opening and sealing goal to deny the Waratahs their first win since 2008. After three consecutive losses in the opening rounds, the Waratahs finally found form with the return of their Kookaburras stars to beat Western Australia 10-2 in the quarter-finals and Canberra 10-1 in the semi-finals.

“Queensland (are) obviously a much tougher opponent,” White said.

“Our structure and control has been excellent, which allows our classy players to put the ball in the goal. But not our day in the end.” 

Illawarra juniors Flynn Ogilvie and Jack Hayes were also part of the NSW squad. 

In front of a crowd of more than 1000 on the Gold Coast, the NSW women’s raced to a 2-nil lead in the final before seemingly having both hands on the trophy when leading 7-3 in the second half.

Stewart was in the action, on the end of a dynamic play which started with a Kate Hanna intercept.

Farrell found Stewart, but she was forced wide by Queensland keeper Hannah Astbury and unable to convert. Astbury made a number of crucial saves and with the clocking ticking away, Queensland launched a stunning late comeback, Stephanie Kershaw scoring a stunning solo goal with one minute remaining and the score at 7-6. 

But NSW maintained possession on resumption to hang on to victory.