AS the opening series of the AFL Women’s National Under 18 Championships continues, four teams took to the field on the weekend to display their skills. New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory (NSW/ACT) and Western Australia were the big winners, with many players standing out across the four games.

NSW/ACT 6.7 (43) defeated Tasmania 1.1 (7)

NSW/ACT kept Tasmania scoreless up until half time, asserting its dominance at Blacktown International Sports Park.

Emily Hurley got on the board with two majors for NSW/ACT, and was complemented by Brea Quinlivan, Lillian Doyle, Zoe Hurrell and Eliza Cumming, who all scored a goal in the 36-point win. Georgia Garnett was named best afield for NSW/ACT while Alexia Hamilton and Brenna Tarrant also had solid performances. AFLW Academy member, Alyce Parker began her Nationals tournament strongly with a great performance. Fellow AFLW Academy member,

Libby Haines was also impressive, named amongst the best for Tasmania. She was joined by Mia King, Kelsie Hill, Tahlia Bortington, Hailee Baldwin and Netty Garlo. Mya Slatter was Tasmania’s only goalkicker on the day.

…

Western Australia 4.6 (30) defeated Queensland 3.9 (27)

Western Australia recorded a brilliant come-from-behind win at Domain Stadium. Queensland led at every change but after being kept scoreless in the last quarter, Western Australia ran over the top by just three points.

AFLW Academy member, McKenzie Dowrick was named best afield for Western Australia, and was complemented by fellow Academy member, Sabreena Duffy. Duffy also got a goal on the board, which brought Western Australia’s deficit to 10 points. She was complemented by Mikayla Hyde, who scored two majors, and Kate Bartlett, who scored one. Bartlett’s goal was a crucial one, as it gave Western Australia the lead for the first time in the game, which ultimately delivered the win.

It was a brave effort by Queensland, whose goals came from Charlotte Hammans, Jemma Abbott and Georgia Brehmer. Dee Heslop was named best-on-ground for Queensland and was complemented by Lily Postlethwaite, Kitara Farrar, Lauren Bella and Zimmorlei Farquharson.

…

NSW/ACT 6.8 (44) defeated Tasmania 0.3 (3)

In the second battle between NSW/ACT and Tasmania, it was NSW/ ACT that came out on top with another big win.

Lillian Doyle was NSW/ACT’s only multiple goalkicker with two majors, while Brea Quinlivan and Eliza Cumming got on the scoreboard once again. This time, it was Ahlani Eddy who was judged best afield for NSW/ACT, but AFLW Academy member, Alyce Parker and the best-on-ground in NSW/ACT’s first hit-out against Tasmania, Georgia Garnett were not far off the mark. Although there were no goalkickers for Tasmania, there was still a host of impressive performances.

Backing up their solid performances from their last match against NSW/ACT were Tahlia Bortington, Hailee Baldwin, Libby Haines, Netty Garlo and Mia King. They were complemented by Elise Barwick, who played a solid game against NSW/ACT.

…

Western Australia 6.4 (40) defeated Queensland 2.3 (15)

Western Australia continued its winning ways with another big victory over Queensland.

AFLW Academy member, McKenzie Dowrick was again named in the best for Western Australia. This time she was joined by Mikayla Bowen, Emma O’Driscoll, Roxanne Roux, Abbey Dowrick and Taylor Pescud. The goalkickers in the last match stepped up again on Monday’s hit-out, as Kate Bartlett got on the board with two majors while Sabreena Duffy and Mikayla Hyde each kicked one.