LAUREN Pearce's dominant ruck performance against Gold Coast resulted in 10 AFLCA votes and selection in the round five womens.afl Team of the Week.

Not content with 20 hitouts, Pearce also recorded 20 disposals, eight intercepts and seven clearances against Gold Coast.

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

Libby Birch (Melbourne), Nat Grider (Brisbane), Emma Kearney (North Melbourne), Marijana Rajcic (Adelaide), Ruby Schleicher (Collingwood)

Birch (16 disposals, eight intercepts) was back to her best against the Suns, Rajcic (10 and eight) held the fort for the Crows and Schleicher (17 and 12) was a shining light on a tough day for Collingwood.

The good form of Grider (14 disposals, seven intercepts) continued, while Kearney (13 and seven) was a key conduit out of defence.

Nat Grider breaks away from defence during the match against Collingwood in round five on February 5, 2022. Picture: Getty Images

MIDFIELDERS

Lauren Pearce (Melbourne, ruck), Emily Bates (Brisbane), Jasmine Garner (North Melbourne), Kirsty Lamb (Western Bulldogs), Ebony Marinoff (Adelaide), Emma Swanson (West Coast),

Swanson (27 disposals, eight clearances) nearly dragged West Coast over the line against Geelong, Bates (22, five tackles) continues to tear games apart while Marinoff (31, 10 tackles) had a day out against Carlton.

Garner (29, three clearances) returned to form, while Lamb (27, nine marks) had a career-best game against Richmond.

Kristy Lamb (right) celebrates with Ellie Blackburn during the Dogs' win over Richmond in round five on February 6, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

FORWARDS

Greta Bodey (Brisbane), Zimmie Farquharson (Brisbane), Tayla Harris (Melbourne), Emma King (North Melbourne), Bonnie Toogood (Western Bulldogs)

Bodey (15 touches, one goal) was a constant thorn in Collingwood's side, with teammate Farquharson one of the few players across the AFLW to kick two goals this round.

Harris (nine disposals, two goals) was a strong performer against the Suns, the target of King (nine, 15 hitouts) loomed large both up forward and in the ruck, and Toogood (15 and one goal) commanded the Dogs' attack.

00:46

AFLW icon completes a great passage of play by the Demons

Tayla Harris slots a goal in the third quarter after a great run by Lily Mithen

INTERCHANGE

Mimi Hill (Carlton), Dana Hooker (West Coast), Amy McDonald (Geelong), Hayley Miller (Fremantle), Hannah Priest (St Kilda)

McDonald (24 disposals, 12 clearances) was an integral part of Geelong's breakthrough win, Miller (24 and six) produced another strong performance while Hill (26, five marks) returned to the AFLW in style.

Priest (24 disposals, 10 intercepts) stood up well under pressure in defence, and Hooker (20, eight clearances) led from the front against St Kilda.

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