A DOMINANT display from Ben Keays has helped Queensland make light work of Northern Territory with a 72-point win in the second division two game of the NAB AFL Championships at Southport on Saturday.
Queensland was never in doubt as it powered to a 17.10 (112) to 5.10 (40) win, with 10 individual goal-kickers including Wylie Buzza, who kicked five goals and figured in every quarter.
Keays, a 2014 All Australian midfielder, had 18 touches, won 11 clearances and kicked a goal in the first half before finishing with 37 disposals.
Reuben William was also a positive for Queensland with good rebound from half back and 23 touches while Dyson Budarick booted two goals and had also 23 disposals, while Corey Wagner impressed with 21 touches and five clearances.
Northern Territory's fortunes weren't helped when midfielder Davin Ferreira was stretchered off in the first quarter with a suspected dislocated ankle.
The inside mid, who last week made his SANFL senior debut for Norwood, was in great distress when he was carried off midway through the opening term.
Midfielder Brandan Parfitt was also restricted to playing deep forward after suffering a corked thigh in the first half, but still finished with 13 disposals before he came off ahead of three-quarter time.
But Ezekiel Frank provided some highlights, Liam McGregor was good and Lachlan McKenzie, Michael Hagan and Jamie Hampton were positives for the Territory despite the lopsided scoreline.
Queensland led by 11 points at the first change before opening up a 26-point lead by the main break.
Northern Territory remained enthusiastic in the contest in the second half despite the margin blowing out to 51 points at three-quarter time.
Queensland kicked four goals to one in the last quarter to put an exclamation point on the win after comprehensively out-working its opponent and sustaining a high level of intensity across four quarters.
QUEENSLAND 3.1 7.3 13.5 17.10 (112)
NORTHERN TERRITORY 1.4 2.7 4.8 5.10 (40)
GOALS
Queensland: Buzza 5, Budarick 2, Weller 2, Blood 2, Keays, Allison, Edwards, Reeves, Ritchie, Spencer
Northern Territory: Holt-Tubbs 2, Parfitt, Frank, Egan
BEST
Queensland: Keays, Allison, William Budarick, Buzza, Hipwood
Northern Territory: McGregor, Rioli, McMasters, Long, Barry, Shannon
