ROUND eight marks the first time this year two rucks have been selected in womens.afl's Team of the Week.

Melbourne's Lauren Pearce takes starting position on the field after an incredible effort against Fremantle, while Carlton's Breann Moody put in an all-round performance when playing Gold Coast.

RUN HOME Who will snatch the last finals spot?

The team is selected to mirror the All-Australian side: five defenders, six midfielders (including a ruck), five forwards and five interchange players.  

Like the All-Australian team, it has players selected in general categories, rather than in traditional positions. The 16-a-side set-up often means teams play with varying configurations, making set selections (e.g wings and flanks) difficult. 

DEFENDERS

Lauren Ahrens (Gold Coast), Jess Duffin (North Melbourne), Kate Lutkins (Brisbane), Meg McDonald (Geelong), Ruby Schleicher (Collingwood)

Schleicher's career-best season continued with 23 disposals, 11 intercepts and five marks against St Kilda, while Duffin (24, 10 intercepts and six marks) was equally prominent against Brisbane.

McDonald (19 disposals, nine intercepts) and Ahrens (18 disposals. 401m gained) were kept busy against GWS and Carlton respectively, and Lutkins (14 disposals, five intercepts) was a key cog in the Lions' important win over North Melbourne.

39:42

Cutting Oranges Ep5: Meghan McDonald

Darcy Vescio chats to Meg McDonald, the Geelong AFLW skipper who also happens to be her housemate

MIDFIELDERS

Lauren Pearce (Melbourne, ruck), Jenna Bruton (North Melbourne), Britt Bonnici (Collingwood), Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), Karen Paxman (Melbourne), Georgia Patrikios (St Kilda)

Pearce was a genuine match-winner against Fremantle, recording 20 disposals, 16 hitouts and seven clearances, almost playing as an additional midfielder.

Bruton (26 touches, seven marks, 408m gained) was a standout against Brisbane, Marinoff (25, seven clearances and 413m gained) was just as prominent facing the Doggies while Paxman (24, six clearances) was a key part of Melbourne's win.

Patrikios (29 disposals, nine clearances, 529m gained) put in an incredible solo effort and Bonnici (29, five clearances) found plenty of the footy herself.

00:36

Superb Saints teamwork brings Vogt major

Jacqui Vogt kicks much-needed St Kilda goal after some great teamwork from Georgia Patrikios and Kate Shierlaw

FORWARDS

Lauren Arnell (Brisbane), Katie Brennan (Richmond), Kate Hore (Melbourne), Chloe Scheer (Adelaide), Darcy Vescio (Carlton)

Vescio put in one of the performances of her AFLW career, kicking five against Gold Coast to jump into first spot in the leading goalkicker tally and Scheer (three goals from 13 disposals) reminded everyone of her brilliance.

Brennan (14 disposals, seven score involvements) and Hore (14 and three tackles) kicked two apiece, while Arnell (14 disposals, five score involvements) was constructive across half-forward.

03:03

Darcy Vescio scary good in high-five performance

Carlton star forward Darcy Vescio sends another warning to the competition with a stunning outing, including a personal best of five goals

INTERCHANGE

Mikayla Bowen (West Coast), Monique Conti (Richmond), Belle Dawes (Brisbane), Breann Moody (Carlton), Alyce Parker (GWS)

Bowen (21, two goals) took to the wet conditions like a duck to water with opponent Conti (24, 18 contested) also enjoying a run in the rain.

Young guns Parker (25, five clearances, 421m gained) and Dawes (19 and four clearances) have had consistently outstanding seasons.

For the first time this year, two rucks have been selected in the team of the week, with Moody's performance (22 hitouts, 16 disposals, five clearances) too good to ignore.

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