THERE was at least one player from every match across the weekend who produced a fantastic performance. Narrowing our Player of the Week down to one individual was extremely difficult, especially after a weekend of big results. But based on her huge influence on the game when it was in the balance, Northern Knights’ Gabby Newton has been selected as the AFL Draft Central Round 3 Player of the Week.

#23 Gabby Newton (Northern Knights)

Gabby Newton continued her great performance in the ruck from last week, but her impact was felt more so around the ground. She is an agile player and was able to show how versatile she is, having good moments in the forward line, on the wing, and through the corridor. She was able to create plenty of run for her teammates, who capitalised on the space that Newton created through her long kick. She was able to do this even in a tight first half, when Sandringham pressed hard to get forward.

But it was her contested work that impressed the most, laying some fierce tackles throughout the afternoon. In the second half, Newton took one of the biggest contested marks in the TAC Cup Girls competition this year. She followed her teammates’ set shot on goal perfectly, judging the flight of the ball and clunking the ball on the goal line. The Montmorency recruit then slotted through the goal with a banana kick! Newton was not only unstoppable but she was also unmissable, donning the fluro boots for the afternoon.