ROUND one of the VFLW season was highly anticipated with the inclusion of new teams such as Northern Territory Thunder and the Richmond Tigers, who both sent warnings to the competition with convincing wins against two fancied opponents in the Bulldogs and the Falcons.

Every team has a representative in the Team of the Week, with players in losing sides such as Sophie Abbatangelo, Alison Brown and Jenna Bruton all earning spots. For the winning teams, it was NT Thunder who dominated the Team of the Week, with Angela Foley, Chelsea Randall, Emma Swanson and Marijana Rajcic all earning a spot in the best 22.

Kate Dixon was a walk-up into the Team of the Week, as she starred in the Tigers’ maiden VFLW win with four goals. Greater Western Sydney vice-captain, Emma Swanson was also superb with 31 disposals, dominating in the midfield. She also managed to go forward and slot two goals in the Thunder’s first win. Other AFLW players who made it into the team of the week include former Collingwood defender Meg Hutchins, current Magpies Jess Duffin, Sarah D’Arcy and Sarah Dargan, Carlton duo Darcy Vescio and Breann Moody and Western Bulldogs’ Hayley Wilde.

There are always some unlucky players and this week, it was Richmond’s Jenna Colwell, Hawthorn’s Emma Mackie and Carlton’s Sarah Hosking, who all put in great performances through the middle of the ground. In a stacked midfield, it was hard to fit them in in round one but they are sure to make an appearance later in the season.