THERE were plenty of players who produced impressive performances in the first round of the TAC Cup Girls competition, making our Team of the Week selections very difficult. Each week, AFL Draft Central will compile the best 22 players from the week of footy in the TAC Cup Girls competition, which is sure to become harder as the weeks go on with all the standout talent in the competition this year.

The success story of the round was arguably the Murray Bushrangers getting a big win over the Calder Cannons, and in the process, handing the Cannons their first loss in the TAC Cup Girls competition. So in light of this victory, three Bushrangers are named in this week’s best 22, with stars shining across the ground in the match at JC Lowe Oval. Calder captain, Madison Prespakis still made it into the best 22 despite the loss, and is joined by Murray’s Rebecca Webster in the midfield.

But fellow Bushrangers teammates, Tamara Smith and Eloise Ashley-Cooper just missed out on a place in the star-studded round one Team of the Week.

The Oakleigh Chargers also fared well this week, getting their first win in the competition and sitting on top of the ladder. Half-forward Daisy Bateman and midfielder Gemma Lagioia are their representatives in the Team of the Week. But Katie Lynch was unlucky to miss out on this week’s best 22, after a fantastic all-round performance as a utility. Despite their opposition coming off a loss, Gippsland draft prospect, Tyla Hanks still made her way into the side after a stellar performance.

At Beaconsfield, the Northern Knights were given a scare by the Dandenong Stingrays. But thanks to goal-kicking hero, Alyssa Bannan, the Knights were able to get over the line. Bannan kicked three goals in the first few minutes of the last quarter, and therefore was a lock in the Team of the Week. For the Stingrays, their half-back line was a standout, with two of their defenders named in this week’s best 22. But one defender that missed out was Lucinda Cripps, after being edged out due to a wonderful performance from Geelong’s Denby Taylor.

Taylor was joined by Falcons teammates, Zoe Inei and Sachi DeGiacomi in the Team of the Week. But midfielder, Tarryn Love was unable to break into the side, due to some classy midfielders producing great performances across the board. One of these midfielders was Sandringham’s Winnie Laing, who was lucky enough to make the best 22 after a gritty performance in the middle of the ground.

A few AFLW Academy members in Eastern Ranges’ Emerson Woods and GWV’s Georgia Clarke were unlucky to miss out on making into the Team of the Week, with plenty of young talent in show in round one. However, their teammates fared well, as Georgia Macpherson slotted into the back pocket for the Eastern Ranges, while Sophie Molan and Lauren Butler each earned a spot to represent the Rebels.

In light of Bendigo’s round-one win, Sophie Kerridge earned a spot in the forward-line, after booting three goals. Isabelle Pritchard was lucky enough to make it in for the Jets, despite succumbing to a loss at the hands of the Pioneers. 

Team constructed by Peter Williams and Julia Montesano:

FB: Georgia Macpherson (ER), Sophie Molan (GWV), Grace Egan (MB)
HB: Shelley Heath (DS), Denby Taylor (GF), Jordyn Allen (DS)
C: Gemma Lagioia (OC), Kodi Jacques (BP), Rebecca Webster (MB)
HF: Daisy Bateman (OC), Sachi DeGiacomi (GF), Sophie Kerridge (BP)
F: Julia Harvey (MB), Sarah Kendall (ER), Alyssa Bannan (NK)
R:  Zoe Inei (GF), Madison Prespakis (CC), Tyla Hanks (GP)
INT: Isabelle Pritchard (WJ), Winnie Laing (SD), Lauren Butler (GWV), Gabby Newton (NK)