BRISBANE was back with a bang at the weekend, recording a 32-point win over the Western Bulldogs. The Lions' impressive effort resulted in four of their players selected in the AFLW Team of the Week.
North Melbourne has featured heavily in Team of the Week selections this year, and round four was no exception, with four Roos picked.
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The team, brought to you by AccorHotels, 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: Jess Duffin (North Melbourne), Amanda Farrugia (Greater Western Sydney), Kerryn Harrington (Carlton), Kate Lutkins (Brisbane), Maddy McMahon (Geelong)
Duffin's strong season continued on Sunday against Melbourne, and the Roo should feature in voting for the AFLW best and fairest award.
Lutkins and Farrugia were back to their best after a quiet few games, while Harrington had a round-high seven rebound 50s.
McMahon's confidence has risen by the week – she reads the ball well and knows when to leave her opponent. She also received eight votes in the AFLCA coaches' award.
Midfielders: Jess Foley (ruck, Adelaide), Ally Anderson (Brisbane), Alicia Eva (Greater Western Sydney), Emma Kearney (North Melbourne), Jaimee Lambert (Collingwood), Erin Phillips (Adelaide)
Foley (24 hitouts, 13 disposals and five inside 50s) breaks through for her first team of the week selection after several close calls.
Phillips (25 and two goals) had another dominant performance, while Kearney was especially dangerous, particularly in the first half.
Eva (21 touches) was influential against her old side, Lambert had eight clearances and Anderson's hard running and strong form continued.
Forwards: Kate McCarthy (Brisbane), Phoebe McWilliams (Geelong), Aliesha Newman (Melbourne), Cora Staunton (Greater Western Sydney), Stevie-Lee Thompson (Adelaide)
McCarthy played close to her best match for the Lions (two goals and five tackles) while fellow speedsters Newman and Thompson were also important.
Key forwards McWilliams (10 disposals, six marks, three tackles and a goal) and Staunton (14 disposals, three marks, six tackles and a goal) were also valuable.
Interchange: Brianna Davey (Carlton), Nat Exon (Brisbane), Emma King (North Melbourne), Karen Paxman (Melbourne), Jamie Stanton (North Melbourne)
Davey played both in defence and in the centre, while King was once again at her most dangerous up forward, rather than the ruck.
Paxman (25 disposals and six inside 50s), Exon (16, six tackles and a goal) and Stanton (an equal career-high 21 touches) were industrious for their sides.
The Regulars:
(Players who have been selected multiple times this season)
Jess Duffin (North Melbourne) – 4
Ally Anderson (Brisbane) – 3
Emma Kearney (North Melbourne) – 3
Emma King (North Melbourne) – 3
Meg McDonald (Geelong) – 3
Karen Paxman (Melbourne) – 3
Maddy Prespakis (Carlton) – 3
Cora Staunton (Greater Western Sydney) – 3
Erin Phillips (Adelaide) – 3
Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs) – 2
Ash Brazill (Collingwood) – 2
Nat Exon (Brisbane) – 2
Kerryn Harrington (Carlton) – 2
Anne Hatchard (Adelaide) – 2
Kate Lutkins (Brisbane) – 2
Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide) – 2
Phoebe McWilliams (Geelong) – 2
Aliesha Newman (Melbourne) – 2
Lauren Pearce (Melbourne) – 2
Stevie-Lee Thompson (Adelaide) – 2
Jess Wuetschner (Brisbane) – 2
