Queensland, New South Wales, dominate Grand Finals at Australian Junior National Championships
The neighbouring states swept the titles at the Australian Junior National Championships grand finals day. We recap each of the finals from Striker Indoor Sports in Perth, Western Australia.

Under-18 Boys
Queensland 120 (34-38-31-17) [K. Jarrett/C. McKeon 38, E. Clements 1/5, O. Chadwick 1/11] defeated Western Australia 50 (26-21-4--1) [J. Redman/J. Moir 26, K. Jarrett 3/0, C. McKeon 2/1] by 70 runs.
Player of the final: Kaidan Jarrett, Queensland (+21 contribution).
Player of the series: Toby Collins, Queensland (13 votes).
U18 Boys All-Star Team: Toby Collins (QLD), Aston Buffey (VIC), Joshua Jurgeit (NSW), Josh Hendry (WA), Ashton Haycock (NSW), Mitch Harte (QLD), Braydon Almond (VIC), Jericoh Dickins (TAS), Mitchell Smith (WA), Matthew Higham (NSW), Flynn Donnelly (QLD).
Coach: Andrew Sweet (QLD). Manager: Tom Perkins (QLD).
Queensland defend their title with an undefeated campaign in the Under-18 Boys.
Western Australia’s opening partnership gave the hosts a confident start, scoring 26 and losing just one wicket. The second pair continued the fight and the Western Australians were looking serious competitive.
Queensland’s fielding came to life in the third pair, converting three run-outs, and a seed from Kaidan Jarrett to deliver their fourth wicket of the partnership.
Momentum continued with Queensland, two wickets in the opening over of the final pair, with another three wickets to fall, keeping them to -1. A huge win for Queensland, against a pair that was averaging 37.5.
A commanding performance from Queensland’s opening pair, Harte and Khan, saw them race to 34 early. It was backed up by Jarrett and McKeon who passed the target in the sixth over, in a clinical batting display.
It was a comfortable hit-out for Donnelly and Haller who batted third under almost zero pressure, the national title was just about secured. They still managed 31 to guarantee it.
Western Australia, impressively, were able to grab three run-outs in the final pair, but Player of the Series, Toby Collins, smashed a seven off the last ball to produce a 70-run win.
Under-18 Girls
New South Wales 95 (11-39-37-8) [I. Selems/K. Robson 39, A. Harrison 4/-3, L. Harrison 2/5] defeated ACT 60 (16-19-4-21) [I. Groenhout/A. Barham 19, A. Aitken 3/3, A. Rutherford 2/-5] by 35 runs.
Player of the final: Isabel Selems, New South Wales (+12 contribution).
Player of the series: Madison Eddie, New South Wales (9 votes).
U18 Girls All-Star Team: Madison Eddie (NSW), Jess Cremin (QLD), Mikayla Lewis-Simmonds (VIC), Stephanie Potgieter (WA), Jess Robertson (NSW), Catherine Diedricks (ACT), Lauren Patterson (QLD), Tanvi Aiyar (QLD), Aleisha Rutherford (NSW), Lillian Harrison (ACT), Hannah Boyland (WA).
Coach: Mitch Hinds (NSW). Manager: Julie Eddie (NSW).
New South Wales have secured the national title after an impressive bowling performance, keeping the ACT to just 60.
ACT batted first, and consistent wickets fell throughout the innings, led by Abigail Aitken who took three big wickets. Creating an incredible 13 third-ball opportunities throughout the innings, New South Wales built great pressure on the ACT batters.
O’Brien and Weaver managed 21 for the last pair, to boost the score to a small, but still defendable score.
ACT grabbed a wicket on the second ball to put the pressure on the chase. The opening pair was limited to just 11 runs, with the game in the balance.
Then, it was Selems and Robson that took the game away from the ACT, with a score of 39 to get within touching distance of the total, with still eight overs to go. Momentum continued with New South Wales, with Robertson and Stevens hitting 37 of their own, including a big seven. Two important partnerships, dominated by the Blues.
ACT remained determined, and it was Augusta Harrison who managed to take a hat-trick in the 15th. Unfortunately the damage was already done, and New South Wales emerged victorious by 35 runs, after an impressive week in Perth.
Under-16 Boys
Queensland Maroon 122 (33-34-31-24) [H. Bader/E. Miles 34, C. Doepel 1/10, C. Keyter 1/19] defeated Western Australia 117 (39-29-28-21) [L. Harvey/B. Rebeira 39, F. Haller 2/5, K. Williams 1/4] by five runs.
Player of the final: Koby Williams, Queensland Maroon (+18 contribution).
Player of the series: Cam Houghton, Western Australia (14 votes).
U16 Boys All-Star Team: Cam Houghton (WA), Cooper Box (VIC-G), Henry Bader (QLD-M), Caelin Kopievsky Blyth (ACT), Jayden Simons (SA), Sai Charan Ramtenki (NSW), Winnie Basson (WA), Kaiden Kilpatrick (VIC-G), Luc Tipping (ACT), Adam Hogan (QLD-M), Leo Harvey (WA).
Coach: Frank Hogan (QLD-M). Manager: Aaron Morrison (QLD-M).
Queensland Maroon have produced an upset against the undefeated hosts, by just five runs.
It was a strong opening partnership for the Western Australians, with Harvey and Rebeira delivering a wicketless 39. Prance and Doepel managed 29 for the second pair, Queensland finding their first wicket, with Doepel not convinced he hit the ball.
Western Australia’s third pair started well, before a -3 over courtesy of Koby Williams, pegged them back to 13 with an over to go. The batters recovered, smashing 15 off the last over of the pair.
Consecutive run-outs in the 14th over saw Western Australia’s fourth pair dive into the negatives, but recovered well, posting 21 to take the total to 117.
Despite a wicket in their first pair, it was strong batting from Queensland, Hogan and Hobbins grabbed 33 runs, and Bader and Miles went wicketless for their 34.
The third par had twists and turns, a huge seven whacked by Koby Williams, but a wicket in the same over from the Western Australians, saw the game in the balance.
The final pair walked out needing 20 runs for victory. Winnie Basson started well, conceding only 3 in the first over. However, the Queenslanders kept their nerve, off the back of some clutch shots from Finn Haller and Benjamin Stevens. Haller blocked the final two balls, to win by five runs.
In the end, the two wickets taken by Western Australia was simply not enough, especially from a side that averaged 9.67 wickets, prior to this game. An impressive performance from Queensland Maroon, defending their title.
Under-16 Girls
Queensland 109 (29-19-28-33) [J. Comerford/M. Domrow 33, C. Varley 2/8, S. Henry 1/9] defeated Western Australia 106 (21-28-25-32) [O. Britten/C.Varley 28, S. Hines 2/6, C. Geldenhuys 2/8] by three runs.
Player of the final: Jayani Maharaj, Queensland (+3 contribution).
Player of the series: Trisha Yadav, New South Wales (9 votes).
U16 Girls All-Star Team: Trisha Yadav (NSW), Jasmine Comerford (QLD), Piper Fraser Hardy (WA), Isabella Fazio (NSW), Guhika Vij (VIC), Ella Gustard (SA), Jayani Maharaj (QLD), Indy-Mae Bartlett (WA), Ekmehar Kaur Sidhu (NSW), Riva Guliya (VIC), Cadence Murdoch (SA).
Coach: Stephen Mogg (QLD). Manager: Anjanette Connell (QLD).
Queensland claim the national title in a thrilling game against Western Australia.
Batting first, it was an eventful first pair for Queensland. Three wickets fell, but a couple of back net shots from Jayani Maharaj brought the score to 29.
Western Australia converted a run-out in the second pair, as well as bowling 12 dots. The score was 48 at the half-way mark.
Lily Markou and Chanel Geldenhuys handled the pressure, and got Queensland back on top with a fine partnership of 28. It was the perfect base for Jasmine Comerford and Maddison Domrow, who smashed 33 for the final pair, a wicketless eight overs giving Queensland the momentum.
Chasing 110 for victory, Western Australia lost two early wickets, including a great delivery from Markou. Openers Piper Fraser Hardy and Maddie Wright were able to cash in on the last over, taking their total to 21.
Despite the loss of a wicket in their first over, Olivia Britten and Clara Varley impressed with some great side-net shots, grabbing 28 for the Queenslanders.
The third pair, Indy-Mae Bartlett and Adi Phillips, continued that momentum in a dominant three overs. But it was Chanel Geldenhuys who pulled the Queenslanders back in the game, taking 2/-1 in the 12th over.
Needing 36 to win, the hosts lost an early wicket after leaving their crease mid-over. Next ball, a big down-up four from Summer Henry, brought the over back up to five. Summa Hines produced a wicket in the 14th, leaving Queensland needing 25 from the final two overs.
Henry whacked a five in the penultimate over, and the pressure was on the bowlers. 12 required from the last.
It was Jayani Maharaj who had nerves of steel, conceding just eight runs. With a back net shot off the last ball required, the hosts were unable to get it done. A thrilling game of indoor cricket.
Under-14 Boys
New South Wales 161 (39-66-19-37) [L. Spragg/B. Beheram 66, N. Harding 3/20, D. Burgess 2/3] defeated Queensland Maroon 91 (20-26-27-18) [E. Campbell/J. Campbell 27, A. Beheram 3/-5, S. Mohammed 2/4] by 70 runs.
Player of the final: Asher Bereham, New South Wales (+33 contribution).
Player of the series: Noah Warner, Queensland Maroon (10 votes).
U14 Boys All-Star Team: Noah Warner (QLD-M), Benji Beheram (NSW), Riley Cook (QLD-M), Harrison Smith (WA), Elliott Huber (VIC-G), Oliver McAdie (TAS), Avaniish Kotian (VIC-R), Lucas Spragg (NSW), Tyler Becker (SA), Darcy Burgess (QLD-M), Tyson Jansz (NSW).
Coach: Matthew Jansz (NSW). Manager: Carla Beheram (NSW).
A display of batting dominance from New South Wales saw them win the national championship.
Asher Beheram set the tone with a four off the very first ball. Queensland Maroon managed a wicket, but the opening pair were still able smash 39, including a big seven from Beheram.
Lucas Spragg and Benji Beheram put on 66 for the second partnership, in a brutal hitting masterclass. Three sevens headlined an onslaught of back net shots. Both batters scored 33, which you’d be happy with as a partnership, let alone an individual.
Queensland fought back with five wickets in the third pair, but a few back shots from Satvik Emmanni took their tally to a helpful 19.
Again the Queenslanders were able to produce a couple of wickets, but a 19-run last over took the final pair to 37, a statement seven from Shoaib Mohammed from the final ball.
Chasing an overwhelming 162 to win, Queensland lost a wicket in the first over, but managed to fight back and get to a respectable 20.
It was then that Asher Beheram decided to kill the game, with 3 bowled wickets in the 5th over.
Remarkably, despite being -13, Noah Hardin and Oliver Nancarrow regrouped, and counter-attacked, getting up to 26 runs for the pair, 36 runs from three overs.
Ethan and Jackson Campbell put on 27 for the third pair, including a big seven from Jackson. A confident batting performance from the Queenslanders, it was just the second skin that New South Wales had lost all tournament.
Taking three wickets in the last pair, New South Wales secured their title. An undefeated campaign, these superstars will be a team to watch in future years.
Under-14 Girls
New South Wales 111 (26-25-36-24) [E. Micheal/C. Goraya 36, P. Mein 2/4, R. Hones 2/7] defeated Queensland 77 (39-22-10-6) [J. Meudell/B. Chapman 39, J. Kennedy 3/-6, G. Naik 2/-1] by 33 runs.
Player of the final: Jessica Kennedy, New South Wales (+24 contribution).
Player of the series: Jiaya Meudell, Queensland (10 votes).
U14 Girls All-Star Team: Jiaya Meudell (QLD), Jessica Kennedy (NSW), Jessica Bayne (WA), Gurbani Kaur Nehal (VIC), Charlotte McKinnon (SA), Charitha Gulla (NSW), Era Bhoir (NSW), Zia Patel (QLD), Gayathri Naik (NSW), Anji Yuvaraj (VIC), Caitlyn Toholke (SA).
Coach: Darren Whiting (NSW). Manager: Steven Kennedy (NSW).
New South Wales produced an all-round batting display to snatch the national title from Queensland.
Jiaya Meudell and Bree Chapman got Queensland off to the perfect start, soaking up all the pressure to deliver a wicketless 39 for the opening partnership.
Ruby Hones and Koa Burford looked comfortable at the crease, but a couple of wickets in the last two overs. Still managing 22, it was a strong start for the defending champions.
Using the same four bowlers, New South Wales bowled tight lines, and it was Jessica Kennedy who cashed in with wickets on the last two deliveries, sending the third pair back with just 10.
Momentum swung the way of New South Wales, with a bowled wicket on the first ball of the fourth pair. Unable to recover, two wickets fell in the 16th, and an incredible bowling display limited the final pair to 6.
Queensland started their defence strong with a run-out in the opening over, gaining early momentum. Naina Vankineni and Charitha Gulla held firm, and put pressure back on the bowlers, managed 26 for the opening pair.
Despite the loss of a wicket in the second pair, New South Wales kept motoring along, this time scoring 25, consistent good scores.
A big seven from Ella Micheal set the tone in the third pair, as they cruised to 36, passing Queensland’s score in the process.
A couple of run-outs in the last pair were negated by a seven from Aradhya Rana, and confident batting from Jessica Kennedy, who was rewarded with player of the match.
New South Wales’ consistency unmatched, crowned champions for 2025.
Final Results
Results, Statistics and Points Tables - Under-18 Boys
Results, Statistics and Points Tables - Under-18 Girls
Results, Statistics and Points Tables - Under-16 Boys
Results, Statistics and Points Tables - Under-16 Girls
Results, Statistics and Points Tables - Under-14 Boys
Results, Statistics and Points Tables - Under-14 Girls
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