After a Two-Stage Grind at Suncity, we have our eight finalists for the Elimination Bracket.

Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the 2026 TBA Junior Australian Masters delivered a day of pressure bowling at Suncity Tenpin. Twelve games of scratch bowling across two reset stages separated the contenders from the pretenders, and by the time the lanes went quiet at Alexandra Headland, the field had been carved from twenty to eight in each division. Wednesday’s best-of-three bracket cannot come soon enough.

Stage 2 – The Field Narrows

All twenty finalists checked in by 8:30AM and took to the lanes for their six-game set commencing at 9:00AM. Qualifying pinfall dropped, and the top 16 in each division advanced – with the top 4 earning an express pass directly to Stage 4, bypassing Stage 3 entirely.

Girls – Stage 2 Results

Pos	Bowler	State	Pinfall (6 Games)	Avg	Status
1	Brianna Walsh	NSW	1,230	205.0	Express- Stage 4
2	Bella Westlake	SQ	1,198	199.7	Express- Stage 4
3	Emily Starkey	NQ	1,147	191.2	Express- Stage 4
4	Elouise Cocks	VIC	1,145	190.8	Express- Stage 4
5	Brooke Buckingham	QLD	1,134	189.0	To Stage 3
6	Aleisha McGarry	NSW	1,106	184.3	To Stage 3
7	Stephanie Jarrott	VIC	1,070	178.3	To Stage 3
8	Chloe Greenham	SA	1,062	177.0	To Stage 3
9	Summah Bennett	VIC	1,050	175.0	To Stage 3
10	Abby George	TAS	1,012	168.7	To Stage 3
11	Mia Sloper	VIC	990	165.0	To Stage 3
12	Hannah Starkey	NQ	979	163.2	To Stage 3
13	Izabella Knight	VIC	978	163.0	To Stage 3
14	Bee Kyte	SQ	972	162.0	To Stage 3
=15	Madelyn Green	SQ	925	154.2	To Stage 3
=15	Emma Musolino	SA	925	154.2	To Stage 3
17	Mikaela Burrows	QLD	920	153.3	Eliminated
18	Peyton Butler	NQ	914	152.3	Eliminated
19	Jett Galley	SA	838	139.7	Eliminated
20	Tayla Grimshaw	NQ	837	139.5	Eliminated

Key Storylines from Stage 2

Brianna Walsh steals the Show

Walsh was one of the top qualifiers going in – she qualified 3^rd with 769 – and she topped Stage 2 with 1,230 pins at a 205 average. The key was her final two games – sitting third at 769 after 4 games, Brianna closed with 234 and 227 to overhaul Bella Westlake and claim top spot. A genuine statement performance.

Bella Westlake Holds Firm

Westlake held 2^nd in Stage 2 (1,198). After 4 games she was sitting on top of the Stage 2 standings with 865 – she’d clearly had a strong start, but her final two games of 187 and 146 let Walsh through. Still, she locked in the Seed 2 express pass comfortably.

Emily Starkey continues Hot Form

Following her victory at the TBA Junior Classic Cup, Emily Starkey continued her hot form entering the Masters as the top qualifier. After 4 games she sat 2^nd at 780. A dip in game five, before a big 235 game in a classic hold-your-nerve finish – to land 3^rd in Stage 2 at 1,147 and earn her express pass.

Elouise Cocks takes the 4^th Express Pass

Victorian Elouise Cocks closed steadily with 181 and 214 to finish 4^th at 1,145 – just 2 pins ahead of Brooke Buckingham (1,134). One of the closest margins of the day across both divisions.

The Eliminations

Positions 17-20 went to Mikaela Burrows (920), Peyton Butler (914), Jett Galley (838), and Tayla Grimshaw (837).

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Boys – Stage 2 Results

Pos	Bowler	State	Pinfall (6 Games)	Avg	Status
1	Luca McPherson	NSW	1,308	218.0	Express- Stage 4
2	William Zaccaria	VIC	1,292	215.3	Express- Stage 4
3	Zayne Pirlo	NSW	1,272	212.0	Express- Stage 4
4	Hayden Miller	NQ	1,266	211.0	Express- Stage 4
5	Flynn Slade	VIC	1,235	205.8	To Stage 3
6	Ethan Bachmann	NQ	1,199	199.8	To Stage 3
7	Cooper Mollet	NZ	1,195	199.2	To Stage 3
8	Noah Rajkovic	VIC	1,189	198.2	To Stage 3
9	Zane Rahim	NSW	1,174	195.7	To Stage 3
10	Klayton Kwan	QLD	1,168	194.7	To Stage 3
11	William Mison	SQ	1,166	194.3	To Stage 3
12	Caleb Nish	NQ	1,163	193.8	To Stage 3
13	Coby Schwetlik	SA	1,156	192.7	To Stage 3
14	Maverick Gordon	NSW	1,141	190.2	To Stage 3
15	Tyler Clarkson	SQ	1,140	190.0	To Stage 3
16	Kasey Reid	SA	1,126	187.7	To Stage 3
17	Lachlan Spencer	SA	1,124	187.3	Eliminated
18	Levi Greenhill	SQ	1,111	185.2	Eliminated
19	Zeb Holt	QLD	1,051	175.2	Eliminated
20	Jimmy Cass	VIC	1,024	170.7	Eliminated

Key Storylines from Stage 2

Luca McPherson takes over – Zaccaria’s title defence gathers steam

The biggest story on the Boys side is McPherson who topped Stage 2 with 1,308 pins at 218.0 average – the highest single stage total across both genders. Luca receives the top seed into Stage 4. Zaccaria, meanwhile, delivered exactly the response a defending champion needs: 1,292 at 215.3 average, rising from 12^th qualifying to 2^nd in Stage 2. The back-to-back narrative is very much alive – he’s earned an express pass.

Zayne Pirlo bounces back brilliantly

Pirlo (NSW) was the 2^nd qualifier overall at 754 and had a middling 4-game start sitting at 834 in 6^th place. Then he produced a 245 in game 5 and 203 in game 6 to rocket to 3^rd at 1,272. He finishes as a dangerous third seed.

Hayden Miller – Snatches Last Express Pass

North Queenslander Hayden Miller drops into 4^th to claim the last express pass at 1,266. The standout moment – a 255 in game 2, which was the highest individual game of the Boys Stage 2. He finished with 237 in game 5 but stumbled home with 168 in the final game – just enough to hold Seed 4.

The Eliminations

Unable to keep the momentum rolling following his Classic Cup title, Lachlan Spencer finished 17^th at 1,124 to be eliminated. He was joined by Levi Greenhill (1,111), Zeb Holt (1,051) and Jimmy Cass (1,024).

Stage 3 – The Last Chance

Bowlers ranked 5-16 from Stage 2 returned to the lanes for a second six-game set. With pinfall dropping again, the field was level – and four spots in Wednesday’s Stage 4 bracket were the only prize worth bowling for.

Girls – Stage 3 Results

Pos	Bowler	State	Pinfall (6 Games)	Avg	Status
1	Stephanie Jarrott	VIC	1,184	197.3	To Stage 4 (Seed 5)
2	Summah Bennett	VIC	1,161	193.5	To Stage 4 (Seed 6)
3	Brooke Buckingham	QLD	1,139	189.8	To Stage 4 (Seed 7)
4	Aleisha McGarry	NSW	1,122	187.0	To Stage 4 (Seed 8)
5	Emma Musolino	SA	1,041	173.5	Eliminated
6	Chloe Greenham	SA	1,018	169.7	Eliminated
7	Abby George	TAS	1,002	167.0	Eliminated
8	Mia Sloper	VIC	990	165.0	Eliminated
9	Hannah Starkey	NQ	984	164.0	Eliminated
10	Bee Kyte	SQ	965	160.8	Eliminated
11	Izabella Knight	VIC	960	160.0	Eliminated
12	Madelyn Green	SQ	929	154.8	Eliminated

Girls – Stage 3 Storylines

Stephanie Jarrott Delivers

After a quite Stage 2 (7^th, 1,070), Jarrott (VIC) saved her best for when it mattered most. The Victorian topped the Girls Stage 3 with 1,184 at 197.3 average, including a 229 in game 3 and strong closing games of 191 and 211. The Victorian bowler who entered as the 2^nd top qualifier overall and looked undercooked through Stage 2 is now back as a genuine title threat. She enters the bracket as Seed 5, facing fellow Victorian Elouise Cocks (Seed 4) in the quarterfinals.

Summah Bennett – Composed from start to finish

Bennett made it a successful day for Victoria posting 1,161 at 193.5 average for 2^nd place, with her 211 and 213 in games 2 and 3 setting the tone. She had been 9^th in Stage 2 and improved her output in Stage 3 for a spot in the bracket. Summah is the 6^th seed and will face Emily Starkey (Seed 3) in a tantalising quarterfinal matchup.

Brooke Buckingham – the 11-pin miss that keeps giving

Missing the Stage 2 express pass by just 11 pins looked like it might have cost Buckingham dearly. Instead, she posted 1,139 (3^rd in Stage 3), anchored by a 247 in game 4 – the high game of the Girls Stage 3. She enters the bracket as Seed 7 and faces Bella Westlake (Seed 2).

Aleisha McGarry rounds out Stage 3 Qualifiers

McGarry (NSW) finishes 4^th at 1,122, led by an opening 246 that gave her an early buffer she needed as the field pushed in the back half. She enters the final showdown as Seed 8 and meets Brianna Walsh (Seed 1) in the quarterfinals.

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Boys – Stage 3 Results

Pos	Bowler	State	Pinfall (6 Games)	Avg	Status
1	Maverick Gordon	NSW	1,255	209.2	To Stage 4 (Seed 5)
2	Zane Rahim	NSW	1,245	207.5	To Stage 4 (Seed 6)
3	Tyler Clarkson	SQ	1,182	197.0	To Stage 4 (Seed 7)
4	Flynn Slade	VIC	1,176	196.0	To Stage 4 (Seed 8)
5	Klayton Kwan	QLD	1,154	192.3	Eliminated
6	Kasey Reid	SA	1,151	191.8	Eliminated
7	Cooper Mollet	NZ	1,144	190.7	Eliminated
8	Ethan Bachmann	NQ	1,133	188.8	Eliminated
9	Coby Schwetlik	SA	1,110	185.0	Eliminated
10	Caleb Nish	NQ	1,087	181.2	Eliminated
11	Noah Rajkovic	VIC	1,037	172.8	Eliminated
12	William Mison	SQ	1,008	168.0	Eliminated

Boys – Stage 3 Storylines

Maverick Gordon – from 14^th to Seed 5 with a statement 1,255

Gordon’s Stage 3 was the performance of the day. After finishing 14^th in Stage 2, he needed to lead the last-chance round – and he did exactly that, topping the Boys field with 1,255 at a 209.2 average. The key was a 258 in game 4 that helped him seal the deal. He closed with 186 and 201 to confirm his place as Seed 5. He meets Hayden Miller (Seed 4) in the quarterfinals.

Zane Rahim saves his tournament with a 275 and strong finish

Rahim was sitting 4^th after four games, and the pressure of the final two games – with Flynn Slade breathing down his neck brought out his best. Games 5 and 6 of 211 and 213 pushed him to 1,245 and 2^nd overall. His earlier 275 in game 2 was the high individual game of Stage 3 across both divisions – a score that announced he was not going quietly. A runner-up at the TBA Junior Classic Cup this year, Zane will enter the bracket as Seed 6 and face Zayne Pirlo (Seed 3) in the quarterfinals.

Tyler Clarkson completes a remarkable recovery

The story of the day. Clarkson topped qualifying with an 813 series – the first 800 of his career – then fell to 15^th in Stage 2 as the format reset the field. Stage 3 gave him a lifeline and he took it: 215, 206, 182, 222, 173, 184 for 1,182 and 3^rd place. He goes into the bracket as the seventh seed facing defending champion William Zaccaria in the quarterfinals.

Flynn Slade – the late surge that decided 4^th

The most dramatic finish in the Boys Stage 3. Flynn was 5^th at the four-game mark, sitting outside the cutline. His final two games of 211 and 204 – against a field that largely stalled – pushed him to 1,176 and 4^th, ahead of Klayton Kwan (who finished 5^th at 1,154 after fading with 143 and 169 to close). Flynn’s late run makes the 2025 TBA Junior Classic Cup champion seed 8 and meets Luca McPherson (Seed 1) in the quarterfinals.

The Final Eight

Wednesday’s Stage 4 bracket brings together the top four from Stage 2 (seeded 1-4) and the top four from Stage 3 (seeded 5-8) in each division. Matches are best-of-three, with any draw decided by 9^th and 10^th frame sudden death. The Grand Final follows a re-oil.

Girls – Stage 4 Finalists

Pos	Bowler	State	Route
1	Brianna Walsh	NSW	Express Pass
2	Bella Westlake	SQ	Express Pass
3	Emily Starkey	NQ	Express Pass
4	Elouise Cocks	VIC	Express Pass
5	Stephanie Jarrott	VIC	Stage 3 Qualifier
6	Summah Bennett	VIC	Stage 3 Qualifier
7	Brooke Buckingham	QLD	Stage 3 Qualifier
8	Aleisha McGarry	NSW	Stage 3 Qualfier

Boys – Stage 4 Finalists

Pos	Bowler	State	Route
1	Luca McPherson	NSW	Express Pass
2	William Zaccaria	VIC	Express Pass
3	Zayne Pirlo		Express Pass
4	Hayden Miller	NQ	Express Pass
5	Maverick Gordon	NSW	Stage 3 Qualfier
6	Zane Rahim	NSW	Stage 3 Qualifier
7	Tyler Clarkson	SQ	Stage 3 Qualifier
8	Flynn Slade	VIC	Stage 3 Qualifier

Girls: Quarter-Final Matchups

M1	Brianna Walsh (1) vs  Aleisha McGarry (8)
M2	Bella Westlake (2) vs Brooke Buckingham (7)
M3	Emily Starkey (3) vs Summah Bennett (6)
M4	Elouise Cocks (4) vs Stephanie Jarrott (5)

Boys: Quarter-Final Matchups

M1	Luca McPherson (1) vs Flynn Slade (8)
M2	William Zaccaria (2) vs Tyler Clarkson (7)
M3	Zayne Pirlo (3) vs Zane Rahim (6)
M4	Hayden Miller (4) vs Maverick Gordon (5)

Finals Day – Wednesday 15 April

Check-in: 8:30AM | Quarter-Finals commence: 9:00AM

Semi-Finals follow immediately after Quarter-Finals (no re-oil). Grand Final commences following Semi-Finals with a re-oil prior to start.

All matches are best-of-3 games. Draws decided by 9^th and 10^th frame sudden death until broken – each match must be decided 2-0 or 2-1.

📍 Suncity Tenpin, Alexandra Headland, QLD

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