NSW/ACT’s most talented female footballers were the big talking points of the week, with the Under 18s side winning both its games over Tasmania in the first series of the National AFLW Championships, while the squads for the AFLW Winter Series were announced.

NSW/ACT too good for Tasmania

NSW/ACT Under 18s triumphed in the first series of the National AFLW Under 18 Championships. NSW/ACT won both its games against Tasmania ahead of the states combining to form the Eastern Allies for the second series of the National AFLW Under 18 Championships.

GWS GIANTS player and NSW/ACT Head coach Alicia Eva – who will also coach the Eastern Allies – told the NSW/ACT website she was very proud of the group’s effort.

“It was a pretty hotly contested game, particularly in the first half, goals were really hard to come by,” Eva said. “Credit to Tassie, because they put a lot of heat on the ball. They were probably on top of us in the contested ball area in the first half, so to get back on top in clearances and then open up our forward line, it was really pleasing to see how once we did that, and kind of stuck to that, we started hitting the scoreboard and the game opened up from there.”

AFLW Academy member Alyce Parker won the NSW/ACT’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second consecutive year, while a number of others stood out in Eva’s eyes.

“Her (Parker) work rate around the ball was impressive across the whole game,” she said. “Georgia Garnett out on the wing, opened up the fat-side of the ground for us really nicely, particularly in the third quarter. “Ange Prifitis showed a bit early, which was good to see when playing a different role . “It was also good to see Jemima Wrigley sort of impose herself in the midfield – a bit of bash and crash – and she created a bit of run and carry out of the congestion.”

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GIANTS squads picked

GWS GIANTS’ two sides entered in the AFL Women’s Winter Series starting this weekend were named earlier this week, with the players divided up into the Northern and Southern GIANTS squads. Twelve AFL Women’s listed players, including Alicia Eva, Ellie Brush, Erin McKinnon and Nicola Barr will line up for the Northern GIANTS, while Jodie Hicks and Britt Tully will play for the Southern GIANTS.

Northern GIANTS coach Roger Moten, a former GIANTS AFL development coach, said he was excited to see what some of the non-AFLW players could offer to the side.

“We’ve brought in some players that have previous train-on experience with the GIANTS AFLW squad or have played for the GIANTS’ AFLW side but we’ve unearthed a couple of new players,” Moten said. “There are some that are new to the game that we hope might go on to bigger and better things at the GIANTS.”

Former Carlton ruckman and Eastlakes coach, Anthony Bourke will coach the Southern GIANTS and looks forward to bringing together a group of players from the vast regions of southern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

“It’s been a really exciting time for women’s footy in Canberra and the Riverina, and it’s a great opportunity for players to put themselves in front of people who are in AFL Women’s programs,” he said. “We’ve got a few players from the Riverina and Wagga that we’re excited to put on the bigger stage. “The Winter Series gives them an opportunity to develop and get a taste of what’s required to play AFLW.”

For more information, check out the AFL NSW/ACT website or the GWS GIANTS website.

Northern GIANTS Squad

Haneen Zrieka, Renee Tomkins, Lael Kassem (Auburn-Penrith), Georgia Breward (Coolangatta Bluebirds QWAFL), Ellie Brush, Kristy Sutcliffe, Laura Russel, Lisa Steane, Pippa Smyth (Macquarie University), Meaghan McDonald, Sarah Halvorsen (Newcastle City), Laura Holdsworth (Newtown) Alicia Eva, Nicola Barr, Pippy Clegg, Alex Sneddon, Erin McKinnon, Kristen Hay, Louise Stephenson (Sydney University), Alison Parkin, Roxy McGee, Sandra Janjetovic, Jasmine Smith, Jacinda Barclay, Meagan Kiely, Phoebe Monahan, Rebecca Privitelli (UNSW-ES Bulldogs), Laura Houghton (Western Magic), Melissa Freckelton (Western Wolves) Rylee Mcgartland (Wollongong).

Southern GIANTS Squad

Tegan Tisma (Ainslie), Elisa Pevere, Jodie Hicks (Belconnen), Ally Reid (Benalla), Gab Goldsworthy, Hayley Fairless, Isobel Cleary (CSU Bushpigs and Bushsows), Katie Rose, Najwa Allen, Karina Demant (Eastlake), Eloise Ashley-Cooper (Finley), Britt Tully (Gungahlin), Brea Quinlivan (Lavington), Lexi Hamilton, Carly Res, Hannah Dunn, Jessica Stramandinoli (Queanbeyan), Kahli Abbott (Riverina Lions), Bec Guglielmino, Emilee McPherson, Karina Collins, Sally Lynch, Alyce Parker, Melanie Wright, Olivia Hall (Thurgoona), Kate Greenacre, Rebecca Mitchell (Tuggeranong) Chelsea Knight, Kyra Jackson, Teneika Bruce (Wodonga).

2018 Winter Series Fixture

Round One

Saturday, June 9 – Northern GIANTS v Gold Coast Suns, Tom Wills Oval 10:30am
Sunday, June 10 – Southern GIANTS v Brisbane Lions, Tom Wills Oval 11:00am

Round Two

Saturday, June 23 – Brisbane Lions v Northern GIANTS, Zillmere 1:30pm
Sunday, June 24 – Gold Coast Suns v Southern GIANTS, Southport 11:00am

Round Three

Saturday, July 14 – Gold Coast Suns v Brisbane Lions, Metricon Stadium 4:40pm
Saturday, July 14 – Northern GIANTS v Southern GIANTS, Tom Wills Oval 11:00am