THE UNDER-23 All-Stars have seen off a fast-finishing AFLW Academy to win by two points at Marvel Stadium.
The 6.8 (44) to 6.6 (42) game was a tight affair, the U23 All-Stars mainly made up of Victorian VFLW and Coates Talent League players (with a handful of Tasmanians and Northern Territorians), while the AFLW Academy is the best 18-year-old talent from around the country.
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Collingwood VFLW's Nyakoat Dojiok put the game beyond doubt with a steady set shot from the pocket late in the game, but the Academy's Alyssia Pisano cut the margin to two in the final minute with her second goal.
Mel Staunton (17 disposals) was named best-afield for the Academy for a strong game across half-forward and through the midfield, while Dandenong Stingrays' Brooke Smith was best for the All-Stars.
Smith, 19, used the ball beautifully off half-back, with her long kicking a feature.
Bendigo Pioneers skipper Lila Keck snapped the opening goal and celebrated with style, with delisted AFLW Hawk Dom Carbone returning serve with a lovely set shot on a sharp angle.
Carbone did her chances of an AFLW recall as an injury replacement no harm with 16 touches and two goals, playing across half-forward.
Gold Coast Academy product Sienna McMullen racked up nine disposals in the first quarter on the wing before being shifted to half-back, and showed a nice pair of heels throughout.
The ever-versatile Lauren Young had 12 disposals to half-time as a key defender, and was moved forward in the second half. She immediately made an impact on the scoreboard, kicking two goals in the third term, including a miraculous bouncing effort of which Shane Warne would have been proud.
Charlotte Simpson, the sister of Geelong's Sam, received treatment on a left shoulder injury in the third quarter, but it didn't slow her down. The U23s midfielder was a strong body around the contest and finished with 20 disposals and seven clearances.
Lively half-forward Elaine Grigg's pace was hard to stop as she recorded 18 touches and six tackles, while Chloe Adams set the tone early for the U23s with her attack on the footy around the middle.
A host of current and former AFLW players looked after the U23 All-Stars, with Tanya Hetherington coaching the team, supported by Aliesha Newman, Brit Bonnici, Kate Darby and runner Nicole Bresnehan.
Three of the AFLW Academy did not take part – Brooke Barwick (ACL), Amy Gaylor (ACL) and Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner (broken wrist, ran for the team) – while Darcie Davies (Gold Coast) and Matilda Scholz (Port Adelaide) have already been signed to AFLW teams.
AFLW ACADEMY 1.3 3.4 5.5 6.6 (42)
U23 ALL-STARS 2.2 4.2 5.3 6.8 (44)
GOALS
AFLW Academy: Young 2, Pisano 2, Keck, Clark
U23 All-Stars: Carbone 2, Adams, A. Jordan, L. Jordan, Dojoik
BEST
AFLW Academy: Staunton, Grigg, Young, Williamson, McMullen
U23 All-Stars: Smith, Simpson, Adams, Carbone, Campbell
