ADELAIDE’S first win of the NAB AFL Women’s season saw four Crows named in AFL.com.au’s AFLW Team of the Week
The return of competition best and fairest Erin Phillips proved the difference against the Western Bulldogs, with the co-captain kicking four goals as she continues to manage the quad injury that kept her out for the opening fortnight.
Co-captain Chelsea Randall and 2017 NAB AFLW Rising Star Ebonly Marinoff continued their strong form.
Fremantle, following its come-from-behind win over Melbourne, has four representatives, while Greater Western Sydney has three selected, including midfield duo Courtney Gum and Alicia Eva.
The team is selected to mirror the All Australian team: five defenders, six midfielders (including a ruck), five forwards and five interchange players.
Like the All Australian team, we have selected players in general categories, rather than in traditional positions. The 16-a-side setup often means teams play with differing configurations, making set selections (e.g wins and flanks) difficult.
AFL.com.au AFLW Team of the Week - Round Three
Defenders: Chelsea Randall (Adelaide), Ebony Antonio (Fremantle), Sarah Allan (Adelaide), Evangeline Gooch (Fremantle), Kate Lutkins (Brisbane Lions)
Randall was again the general for the Crows, collecting 24 touches while spending time on Dogs captain Katie Brennan.
Antonio (seven tackles and four rebound 50s) was vital for the Dockers, while teammate Gooch was rock-solid with 15 disposals.
Key defenders Sarah Allan and Kate Lutkins were industrious in defence for the Crows and Lions respectively.
Midfielders: Emma King (Collingwood), Alicia Eva (Greater Western Sydney), Kara Donnellan (Fremantle), Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), Courtney Gum (Greater Western Sydney), Daisy Pearce (Melbourne)
All Australian King (18 hit-outs and 11 touches) was dominant, and helped in defence with four rebound-50s.
Giants duo Eva (23 disposals) and Gum (15 and two final-quarter goals) were unstoppable against the Pies, while Marinoff racked up 21 disposals and laid 15 tackles.
Donnellan was instrumental is getting the Dockers back into the game against the Dees, while Pearce (24 touches and five clearances) did everything to move Melbourne forward.
Forwards: Erin Phillips (Adelaide), Tegan Cunningham (Melbourne), Brooke Lochland (Western Bulldogs), Phoebe McWilliams (Greater Western Sydney), Lisa Webb (Fremantle)
Phillips was best on ground in her first game of the season, kicking four goals to go with 15 disposals in a dominant display of power.
Cunningham (two goals and six marks) was a focal point for Dees’ midfielders, as was McWilliams, who presented all day and kicked the Giants’ last two goals to take the game away from the Pies.
Webb, 34, starred in just her second game with 17 disposals and a goal, while Lochland (16 touches and six marks) was busy across half-forward.
Interchange: Chloe Molloy (Collingwood), Emma Kearney (Western Bulldogs), Emily Bates (Brisbane Lions), Brittany Bonnici (Collingwood), Monique Conti (Western Bulldogs)
Nineteen-year-old Molloy continued her strong debut season with 14 touches playing both ends of the ground.
Kearney (20 disposals and six tackles) was the Dogs’ best mid, while first-year teammate Conti was dangerous in transition with 15 touches and five marks.
Bates continued her strong form as she gathered 20 touches and laid six tackles, while Pies vice-captain Bonnici (18 disposals and six marks) was influential in contests.
'The regulars' – players who have been selected in multiple AFLW Teams of the Week in 2018:
- Courtney Gum (Greater Western Sydney, three)
- Emma Kearney (Western Bulldogs, three)
- Chloe Molloy (Collingwood, three)
- Megan Cunningham (Melbourne, two)
- Emily Bates (Brisbane Lions, two)
- Brianna Davey (Carlton, two)
- Ally Anderson (Brisbane Lions, two)
- Elise O’Dea (Melbourne, two)
- Chelsea Randall (Adelaide, two)
- Daisy Pearce (Melbourne, two)
- Phoebe McWilliams (Greater Western Sydney, two)
- Kate Lutkins (Brisbane Lions, two)
