IN Round 5 of the AFLW, Carlton’s Madison Prespakis continued to show her dynamic form on field, while a few new names made it onto this week’s list of budding stars.

Adelaide: Jessica Foley
The SANFLW star was sensational in Adelaide’s win over North Melbourne. Despite not winning most of the ruck duels, Foley found ways to impact elsewhere, notching up 16 disposals, four marks, and three tackles on her way to 84 AFL Fantasy Points. She currently sits as the league’s most impressive ruckman – leading in hitouts, marks and tackles, and second only to Erin McKinnon (14) with an average of 13.6 disposals.

Brisbane: McKenzie Dowrick
Dowrick remains a clear standout among Brisbane’s debutants. Her numbers have endured despite the occasional issues with team cohesion and challenging opponents, offering valued consistency. Against the Cats, she earned 11 disposals, four marks and two tackles on her way to 51 AFL Fantasy Points. The future looks bright for Dowrick if she remains consistent and reliable.

Carlton: Madison Prespakis
Once again, Prespakis has exceeded the expectations of any first-year player as she notches up another leading performance for Carlton. Averaging 19 disposals, the Carlton rookie finished Round 5 with a game-high 21 disposals, four marks and a goal on her way to 70 AFL Fantasy Points. Prespakis looks on her way to receiving All-Australian selection if she keeps with her strong showings. Teammates, Jayde Van Dyke (12 disposals, four marks and three tackles) and Jess Edwards (10 disposals and two tackles) were other debutants who enjoyed the narrow win.

Collingwood: Sarah Rowe
Collingwood’s young stars are beginning to hit their strides as Sarah Dargan proved last week with a Rising Star nomination, and Rowe followed this week with her own strong performance against Carlton. The 23-year-old emerged strong with her best performance yet. With it being her first time cracking over 10 disposals, Rowe impressed with 13 possessions, five marks, one tackle and her first career goal on her way to 57 AFL Fantasy Points.

Fremantle: Sabreena Duffy
Fremantle’s resident goal sneak continued to impress in front of goals in the win over the Western Bulldogs. Duffy surpassed her average (nine) with 10 disposals and kicked two final quarter goals to shut the door on the Bulldogs’ comeback. She also earned two inside 50s, one goal assist and seven contested possessions.

Geelong: Olivia Purcell
Geelong’s newest hardball winner has again shown that she has other levels to reach before hitting her ceiling. Throughout the midfield, Purcell is a tackling and contested ball winning machine. Following a 14-disposal game in Round 4, Purcell impressed with a season-high 20 disposals, one mark, 10 tackles and a goal – kicked towards the end of the third. The rookie also had a game-high 102 AFL Fantasy Points ahead of teammate, Kate Darby (94), who kicked three goals. Purcell enjoyed her first win away with the Cats as she looks to be ramping up her season.

GWS GIANTS: Alyce Parker
Parker remained productive and present in the loss to Melbourne, hitting a new season-high. The Thurgoona product earned a game and season-high 20 disposals, tied with teammate, Alicia Eva. She also snagged three marks, two tackles and 63 AFL Fantasy Points, edging her average up to 16 disposals with a 63 per cent disposal efficiency.

Melbourne: Chantel Emonson
The former cricketer and Casey Demons player has shown decent form recently and held up well in the win over GWS. Emonson is showing great potential as a high-pressure player with her tackling ability and awareness in congestion. In the win she picked up 11 disposals and six tackles with 58 AFL Fantasy Points.

North Melbourne: Jessica Trend
Trend was among a few players who lifted their efforts in hope to keep North Melbourne’s winning streak alive. In her first year of AFLW, the 27-year-old had a season-high 13 disposals, five marks and three tackles with 59 AFL Fantasy Points. Teammate Sophie Abbatangelo (13 disposals and six marks) also held up in the loss but struggled to hit the board with two behinds.

Western Bulldogs: Aisling McCarthy
The Irish native remained impressive in the Western Bulldogs’ loss to Fremantle. She found the goals for the third time this season, nearly averaging a goal a game, and earned eight disposals, two marks and one tackle on her way to 38 AFL Fantasy Points.