UNTRIED ruck Jessy Keeffe was one of Brisbane's best in its 11-point win over the Northern Giants in the second round of the women’s Winter Series.
The series features Brisbane and Gold Coast and two Greater Western Sydney sides, the Northern Giants and the Southern Giants.
Keeffe, the younger sister of Greater Western Sydney’s Lachie, has been retained for a second AFLW season despite not playing a game in her first season on the list.
She looms as an important player for the Lions next year, given Tahlia Randall's move to North Melbourne.
Star midfielder Emily Bates was too classy for the Northern Giants, while young star Sophie Conway kicked two goals.
Shannon Campbell, Gabby Collingwood and captain Emma Zielke were also in the Lions' best.
For the Northern Giants, hard nut Phoebe Monahan was strong, while Lisa Steane (Macquarie University) also impressed against a Brisbane side boasting 16 AFLW players.
Jacinda Barclay (two goals), Alicia Eva and Steane all hit the scoreboard.
The Southern Giants recorded their first win, defeating Gold Coast by 11 points.
Experienced AFLW Giant and inside midfielder Britt Tully led a side made up primarily of state-league players.
Ruck Katie Rose (Eastlakes) kicked two goals, while 17-year-old Alyce Parker (Thurgoona) and Chelsea Knight (Wodonga) starred.
Karina Demant (Eastlakes) also kicked two, while Belconnen pair Elisa Pevere and Jodie Hicks, along with Thurgoona's Olivia Hall, kicked singles.
It was a much-improved performance from Gold Coast in its second Winter Series match, after losing its first by 35 points.
The side is made up of Gold Coast Academy members and local players. Delma Gisu (Wilston Grange) booted two goals, while Coolangatta pair Maddy Roberts and Holly Mirfield, Ellie Hampson (Hermit Park, Townsville) and Sodyla Kris (Cairns) all hit the scoreboard.
Each team will play each other once over a five-week period, with the final round on July 24.
The Southern Giants are made up of players from AFL Canberra, AFL Riverina, Tallangatta and District Football League, Goulburn Valley Football League and the Ovens & Murray Football League, while the Northern Giants feature players from AFL Sydney and the Black Diamond leagues.
Brisbane has priority access to its 2018 AFLW players ahead of Gold Coast and is filled out with players from the Lions Academy. It is being coached by AFLW assistants Daniel Merrett, Brent Staker, David Lake and John Taylor.
Gold Coast may not be joining the AFLW until 2020, but it is starting its preparation well ahead of time.
The Suns held numerous talent identification days around the state during the first few months of the year, with players then selected for the Suns Academy, led by former Queensland under-18s youth girls coach Michael Gugliotta.
Players from the Academy are representing the Suns in the Winter Series.
Round one
Northern Giants 7.8 (50) def Gold Coast 2.3 (15)
Tom Wills Oval at Olympic Park, Sydney, Saturday, June 9
Southern Giants 0.0 (0) lost to Brisbane 18.8 (116)
Tom Wills Oval at Olympic Park, Sydney, Sunday, June 10
Round two
Brisbane 5.10 (40) def Northern Giants 4.5 (29)
Zillmere Oval Brisbane, Saturday June 23
Gold Coast 7.5 (47) lost Southern Giants 8.10 (58)
Southport, Sunday June 24
Round three
Gold Coast v Brisbane
Metricon Stadium
Saturday, July 14 at 4:40pm
Northern Giants v Southern Giants
Tom Wills Oval at Olympic Park, Sydney
Saturday, July 14 at 11am
