Ashleigh Woodland

The former Melbourne forward, who played four games before being delisted at the end of 2019, is back in the AFLW and was an imposing presence in attack against West Coast. With a strong engine and willingness to tackle hard, Woodland complemented Erin Phillips and booted two early goals, one from a clever snap and the other from a mark and set shot. When coach Matthew Clarke talks about building a team that relies less on Phillips, it's likely he has the dangerous Woodland in mind. - Nathan Schmook

Nat Grider

Highly regarded internally, Grider looks ready to take her game to a new level in 2021. She was instrumental in Brisbane's strong defensive effort against Richmond, proving a difficult player to pass and forcing poor entries inside 50s. Finishing with 16 disposals – the second-highest tally for her side – Grider also recorded four tackles and four rebound 50s. Grider captained Queensland in her final under-18 national championships, and at 20, looks set to be a dangerous long-term defender for the Lions. - Sarah Black

Abbie McKay

Carlton father-daughter signing Abbie McKay joined the Blues through the 2018 NAB AFLW Draft as a highly rated midfielder, but has found the going tough in her first two seasons. She didn't play a single game last year in a tough team to crack, but returned to pre-season with a vengeance. It showed against Collingwood. Entrusted with the centre bounces, the 20-year-old finished with 10 disposals, nine contested possessions, four clearances and seven tackles (doubling her career tally, plus one) as she made her presence felt. - Sarah Black

Ruby Schleicher

Schleicher has long been touted as one who was poised for a breakout performance, and that came in the first game of her fourth season. A former basketballer, Schleicher has bounced around the ground but seems to have well and truly found her home in defence. She topped her team's disposal count at quarter-time with seven, and finished the game against Carlton with 12 disposals and five marks, forming a powerful defensive combination with Stacey Livingstone. - Sarah Black

Sarah Verrier

The Dockers debutant had just four touches in the win over GWS, but the quality of two in particular showed she is a class act who will make an impact at Fremantle. Verrier's first touch came in the opening seconds, creating space with a clever sidestep and then delivering inside 50 neatly. Playing across half-forward, she was in the action again shortly after, setting up another forward entry with good vision. Drafted with the Dockers' first selection, the skilful Verrier has played Australian football from Auskick level and looks a natural who can play on any line for the Dockers. - Nathan Schmook

Amy McDonald

The Cats had few winners in their bruising loss to North Melbourne, however McDonald was one who could hold her head high. The medium-sized defender, who turns 23 this week, was praised by coach Paul Hood as a contributor across all four quarters. McDonald was forced to absorb plenty of pressure from the Roos across half-back and finished with a team-high 18 disposals. The Ballarat product placed sixth in the Cats' best and fairest in her maiden campaign last year and would have polled strongly on Sunday. - Mitch Cleary

Bess Keaney

She's not your traditional teenage debutant, but Keaney made a big impact in her first game in Suns colours. Drafted as a 28-year-old late last year – she's now 29 – Keaney gathered 15 disposals in the loss to Melbourne. Stationed predominantly at half-back and regularly finding herself around the contest, she was a little scrappy with disposal at times but was relentless with her attack at the ball and the opponent. Keaney added six tackles to complete a promising first-up outing. - Michael Whiting

Tarni Evans

The Giants were pleased with the contribution of their first draft choice, who roamed Fremantle Oval and showcased her powerful running ability. A former endurance athlete with a powerful left boot, Evans finished with 10 possessions and two clearances in the loss to the Dockers. Predominantly a winger, she can also play in the ruck at 180cm or be used at half-forward or half-back. The 18-year-old's speed was on show in a rundown of star opponent Gemma Houghton before giving away a free kick. - Nathan Schmook

Eliza McNamara

In her debut game, McNamara showed all the hallmarks of a long-term player for the Demons. The 18-year-old tore up-and-down the Metricon Stadium wing in steamy Gold Coast conditions to finish with 18 disposals, three marks and two tackles in Melbourne's win. Taken with the 15th pick in the 2020 NAB AFLW Draft, McNamara showed not only a willingness to take the game on by carrying the ball, but also work hard defensively to help in the back 50. - Michael Whiting

Ellie Gavalas

Don't overlook this Roos pocket rocket. The 24-year-old was everywhere against Geelong, starting on a wing before pushing forward to hit the scoreboard with three majors. Gavalas was able to apply pressure on the Cats across half-forward and also kicked a superb goal from a stoppage during the second term. Now into her second campaign, the Tasmanian soccer convert, who was taken as a mature-ager at pick No.10 in the 2019 NAB AFLW Draft, finished with 19 disposals. - Mitch Cleary

Kate Dempsey

Dempsey hasn't had much of a run at AFLW level, sitting out most of Richmond's first season with a back injury and just playing the one game. Camped primarily on the wing against the Lions, Dempsey ran hard both ways to record 14 disposals, three marks and two rebound 50s and inside 50s apiece. She held her width well and was often instrumental in the Tigers' rebound play. - Sarah Black

Tarni White

There were glimpses of White’s talent on show in last year’s halted AFLW season, with the attacking half-back showing some promising signs in the competition before her second ACL rupture stopped her campaign. And so nearly a year on from that setback, White returned to the field on Friday night and was excellent for the Saints in their win against the Western Bulldogs. White, who turned 20 on Sunday, gathered 18 disposals and played with poise to remind St Kilda of her ability when she gets a run at things. The Saints will be hoping that happens in 2021. - Cal Twomey

Mikayla Bowen

When the Eagles were at their best on Saturday, it was second-year runner Bowen who was slicing through the middle of the ground. The crafty midfielder has speed and was able to get free in dangerous positions against a hardened Adelaide unit, racking up 12 first-half possessions and kicking her team's first goal. After six games in her debut season, the Swan Districts product looks to have taken a nice step up, adding a new dynamic to an onball unit that has relied heavily on star pair Emma Swanson and Dana Hooker. - Nathan Schmook

Jess Fitzgerald

The Bulldogs’ first selection from last year’s NAB AFLW Draft showed no signs of nerves in her debut appearance at the top level. The midfielder stepped into the Dogs’ line-up and finished with nine disposals and looked comfortable at the level, with coach Nathan Burke likely to see her confidence rocket after her maiden outing. Fitzgerald hit the game running after some solid practice match form and is a part of a young Bulldogs squad set to excite. - Cal Twomey

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