NORTH Melbourne midfielder Ash Riddell's run of tough luck has continued, dislocating her shoulder just three weeks after returning from a long-term ankle injury.
Riddell starred in her first AFLW game in round one of this year with 16 disposals and a goal, before suffering a syndesmosis injury to her ankle in controversial circumstances the following week.
Greater Western Sydney's Nicola Barr was sent straight to the AFL Tribunal and eventually given a one-match ban for the off-the-ball bump to Riddell's body that saw the Roo fall and injure her ankle.
The 23-year-old has averaged 32 disposals from her three VFLW matches this year after making a return in round two.
A timeframe has not yet been set for her return from the dislocated shoulder, which happened in a tackle in the third term of Melbourne Uni's loss to Richmond.
Adelaide veteran Courtney Cramey will coach an Adelaide side made up of the best young SANFLW talent in the first women's Showdown this Saturday.
Players from four SANFLW sides – Central District, Glenelg, North Adelaide and Sturt – will represent the Crows, while Port Adelaide's side will be made up of players from Norwood, South Adelaide, West Adelaide and Woodville-West Torrens.
A handful of former AFLW players, including Georgia Bevan (Adelaide 2017 and 2018), Katelyn Rosenzweig (Adelaide 2019) and Britt Perry (GWS 2019) will feature in the game.
Star Collingwood utility Chloe Molloy made her long-awaited return to football after close to nine months on the sidelines with a foot injury.
Molloy needed on operation after the Lisfranc injury at the tail-end of the 2018 VFLW season and had 12 disposals and 1.4 in her return to the Magpies' VFLW team last weekend.
Big-name recruit Brianna Davey had 30 touches in her first game in the black and white since crossing from Carlton, while skipper Steph Chiocci will play her first VFLW game for the year this weekend after taking some time off.
In other news:
- Brisbane's Ally Anderson will play some VFLW games with Essendon this year
- There's been a few positional changes so far over winter, with Fremantle defender Tayla Bresland spending time up forward (WAFLW side Peel Thunder), new Demon Libby Birch playing in the middle (Casey VFLW) and Bulldog Brooke Lochland has been in defence
- Geelong's VFLW side is rotating the captaincy this year, with Maddy Keryk, Kate Darby, Jordy Ivey, Danielle Orr and VFLW-listed Amy McDonald sharing the duties
- Former Crow Georgia Bevan and ex-Lion/Magpie Jordan Membrey have joined Hawthorn for the VFLW season
