THE AFL has approved a major change to the teams for next month’s women’s all-stars match between the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne at Whitten Oval.
Ellie Blackburn was originally listed to represent the Demons on September 3, but was subsequently selected as a Bulldogs marquee player. Blackburn has played for Melbourne in exhibition series matches since 2013, but the AFL worked with the two clubs to ensure the star midfielder could represent her new team.
And in a curious move, Michelle Cowan – recently appointed coach of the Fremantle women’s team – will return to coach Melbourne one final time. Paul Groves, appointed Monday, will coach the Bulldogs.
The teams will be playing for the Hampson-Hardeman Cup, which recognises female football pioneers Barb Hampson and Lisa Hardeman. The two are pioneers of the women’s game, having set up the first women's national championships in 1998.
Channel Seven will broadcast the match nationally, with live streaming of Seven’s coverage also available via AFL.com.au and the official AFL Live App.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Coach: Paul Groves
Captain: Steph Chiocci
1 Darcy VESCIO Darebin Falcons VIC
2 Ellie BLACKBURN Melbourne Uni VIC
3 Katie BRENNAN arebin Falcons VIC
4 Emma KING Coastal Titans WA
5 Emma KEARNEY Melbourne Uni VIC
6 Nicola BARR Sydney Uni NSW/ACT
7 Jaimee LAMBERT Eastern Devils VIC
8 Leah KASLAR Coolangata QLD
9 Emma HUMPHRIES Burnie Dockers TAS
10 Kaitlyn ASHMORE Melbourne Uni VIC
11 Richelle CRANSTON Geelong VIC
12 Bianca JAKKOBSON Cranbourne VIC
13 Lauren ARNELL Darebin Falcons VIC
14 Maddy KERYK Melbourne Uni VIC
15 Nicola STEVENS Melbourne Uni VIC
16 Maddy COLLIER UNSW/ES NSW/ACT
17 Steph CHIOCCI Diamond Creek VIC
18 Emily BATES Yeronga South QLD
20 Ellyse GAMBLE Burnie Dockers TAS
22 Hannah SCOTT Eastern Devils VIC
23 Moana HOPE St Kilda Sharks VIC
25 Brianna DAVEY St Kilda Sharks VIC
27 Tahlia RANDALL Wilston Grange QLD
Emergencies
4 Rebecca PRIVITELLI Eastern Devils VIC
28 Jess WUETSCHNER East Fremantle WA
29 Kim EBB Seaford VIC
MELBOURNE
Coach: Michelle Cowan
Captain: Daisy Pearce
3 Brianna GREEN East Fremantle WA
4 Karen PAXMAN Darebin Falcons VIC
5 Emma SWANSON East Fremantle WA
6 Kellie GIBSON Morphetteville SA
7 Tayla HARRIS Zillmere Eagles QLD
8 Penny CULA-REID St Kilda VIC
9 Tayla THORN St Mary’s NT
10 Ebony MARINOFF Morphetteville SA
11 Jess CAMERON Diamond Creek VIC
12 Ebony ANTONIO Swan Districts WA
13 Lauren PEARCE Darebin Falcons VIC
14 Alicia EVA Melbourne Uni VIC
15 Kara DONNELLAN Swan Districts WA
16 Sabrina FREDERICK-TRAUB South Fremantle WA
17 Angela FOLEY Waratahs NT
18 Melissa HICKEY Darebin Falcons VIC
19 Hayley MILLER Coastal Titans WA
21 Cecilia McINTOSH Melbourne Uni VIC
22 Elise O'DEA Darebin Falcons VIC
26 Chelsea RANDALL Swan Districts WA
31 Daisy PEARCE Darebin Falcons VIC
32 Nicole HILDEBRAND Melbourne Uni VIC
33 Bree WHITE VU Western Spurs VIC
Emergencies
1 Sarah HOSKING Seaford VIC
6 Tiarna ERNST Diamond Creek VIC
20 Brooke LOCHLAND Melbourne Uni VIC