Two one-goal thrillers, two NSW doubles and a bronze-medal comeback capped off the 2026 National State Championships at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) on Saturday. Queensland claimed both women’s titles and NSW swept the men’s divisions.
After four days of round-robin and semi-final action across MSAC, Caulfield Grammar, Camberwell Grammar and Mentone Girls Grammar, the medal matches lived up to the billing. Three of the four gold medal games went down to the final quarter.
Queensland flip the script to win Women’s 15&U gold
The day opened with the tightest contest of the tournament. Queensland edged NSW 13–12 in the Women’s U15&U gold medal match, four days after NSW had beaten them 18–9 in Round 2.
Sophie Moten led Queensland with five goals, and Alexis Wiscicki added four. Claudia McCahon chipped in two, with single goals to Alessia Kovacevic and Celia McMeniman. NSW threw everything at them. Amelie Zuza Tito scored four and Juliette Trbojevic Cabrera three, but Queensland held on for gold.
New Zealand took bronze with a commanding 14–5 win over Western Australia.
NSW finish what they started in the Men’s 15&U division
NSW confirmed their status as the team to beat in the Men’s U15&U division with a 14–8 win over New Zealand in the gold medal match. It was their second win over the Kiwis this week after a 20–12 result in Round 2.
The NSW attack was spread across eight different scorers. Alexander Shin led the way with three, and Henri Delesclefs, Fergus Beresford-Harvey, Matt Alborough and Jude Wilson each scored two. Jacob Seipp, Leo Craig-Menzies and Desmond Huang scored two apiece for New Zealand.
Queensland opened the day with a dominant 14–2 bronze medal win over South Australia, with 11 different players finding the net.
Queensland hold their nerve to win Women’s 17&U title
The Women’s U17&U gold medal match was another one-goal decider, with Queensland edging NSW 10–9 to complete a Queensland double in the women’s competition.
The Queenslanders’ strength came from their spread: Laura McKinnon, Poppy Lochran, captain Alice McMeniman, Sophie Zampech and Jessica Bright scored two goals each. NSW had chances to level through Harlei Kricak, Evelyn O’Neill and Madeleine Hook, who each scored two, but Queensland held on to back up their 9–5 opening-round win over the same opponent.
Victoria gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about with a 9–5 bronze medal win over New Zealand.
NSW Clinical to win 17&U championship
The final match of the championships saw NSW beat Queensland 15–12 for Men’s U17&U gold. It was a more decisive result than their tight 9–8 opening-round clash.
Cooper Semmens starred for NSW with four goals, supported by Orson Owen-Jones with three and two apiece from Kosta Tsiaousis, Henry Garvey and Toby Gould. Queensland’s Flynn Swift was the game’s top scorer with five, and Jonah Edelman added three.
Western Australia produced one of the turnarounds of the day to win bronze 7–5 against Victoria, only two days after Victoria had beaten them 13–7.
Final placings
Men’s U15&U
Gold – NSW
Silver – NZ
Bronze – QLD
Women’s 15&U
Gold – QLD
Silver – NSW
Bronze – NZ
Men’s U17&U
Gold – NSW
Silver – QLD
Bronze – WA
Women’s U17&U
Gold – QLD
Silver – NSW
Bronze – VIC
Full all results from the 2026 National State Champions, click here.
