IN our third edition of the Young Gun Watch, we take a look at some of the top young performers across the AFL Women’s competition in Round 3 focusing on those players born in the 21st century (2000 or 2001). We analyse match-by-match just how they performed and what they did well.

St Kilda vs. Melbourne

It was a historic night for the Saints at Moorabbin, and it was no surprise to see the youth standing up again. Tarni White had another great game out of defence with 10 disposals, two marks, two tackles and a match-high seven rebounds – just five shy of the entire Melbourne outfit. Georgia Patrikios did what she does best and worked hard with extra class for 15 disposals, four tackles and two rebounds, while Molly McDonald had seven touches, three marks, three tackles and two rebounds in the win. Nicola Xenos also showed off her pace out of the defensive 50 with seven touches, two marks and three rebounds, as former Dandenong Stingrays’ utility, Isabella Shannon made her debut for four touches, two marks and two tackles. It meant all five 21st century-born players on St Kilda’s list ran around in the team’s inaugural win. For the Demons, Shelley Heath had eight disposals and three tackles, while Tyla Hanks laid a massive match-high nine tackles to go with seven disposals and two inside 50s.

Western Bulldogs vs. Carlton

The top two picks from last year’s AFL Women’s Draft showed just why they were taken so highly in a huge match at Whitten Oval. Number one draft pick, Gabby Newton amassed 14 touches, three marks, four tackles and an inside 50 for the Dogs, while Carlton’s Lucy McEvoy had 19 disposals, three marks, three tackles, three inside 50 and booted her first AFL Women’s goal in a big win. She teamed up perfectly with second-year player, Madison Prespakis who had a game-high 24 disposals, three marks, six tackles and nine inside 50s. Grace Egan was influential again for the Navy Blues with 15 disposals, while Brooke Vernon made her debut and did not look out of place in defence for Carlton, amassing eight touches and three rebounds. Aside from Newton, the Dogs also had Gemma Lagioia and Elisabeth Georgostathis who both picked up eight touches, with the latter booting a ripping running goal on the night. Eleanor Brown played and had four touches, four tackles and two rebounds for the Dogs.

Gold Coast vs. Brisbane

In the first draw of the 2020 AFL Women’s season, the Q-Clash lived up to expectations as a ripping contest. The SUNS’ Lauren Bella continued to impress in the ruck with 18 hitouts from five touches, while Jacqui Yorsten managed 12 touches, two inside 50s and two rebounds with both players going hard against their former side. From the first-year perspective, Queensland Most Valuable Player (MVP) last year, Ellie Hampson had 11 disposals, three tackles and two rebounds building on her debut from last week, while Serene Watson (seven disposals, two tackles) and Dee Heslop (six touches, three tackles and two inside 50s) also showed nice moments. Looking at the Lions list, Isabel Dawes played her best game of her career to-date with 12 disposals and two marks, while fellow first-year player Lily Postlethwaite had five disposals, two marks and two rebounds. Nat Grider managed 10 disposals and three inside 50s playing up the ground from her usual defensive post.

Fremantle vs. Collingwood

Fremantle became the only team to have won all three games thus far with a great win over Collingwood, and a number of the Dockers’ young talents shone. Roxy Roux had seven disposals, two marks, four tackles, three hitouts, two inside 50s, kicked a goal and set up another to a teammate in a productive day for the tall forward. Mim Strom had 13 disposals, five tackles, two inside 50s and two rebounds battling hard against the much stronger Sharni Layton, while Sabreena Duffy (six disposals, four tackles and two inside 50s) and Bianca Webb (four disposals, four tackles) enjoyed the win. For the Magpies, Jordyn Allen had nine disposals, two marks and two tackles, and Mikala Cann had five tackles to go with her eight touches. It was quieter games for Alana Porter and Lauren Butler who still had a couple of nice plays, both recording three touches while Butler also had a couple of rebounds and tackles.

GWS vs. West Coast

The GIANTS had a comfortable win against the Eagles and it was no surprise to see young gun, Alyce Parker leading the way. The second-year talent had a team-high 22 disposals to accompany three marks, two inside 50s and three rebounds as the sole GIANTS player born this century. West Coast had all of its three available young guns running around with Mikayla Bowen (14 disposals, three tackles and one goal) leading the way, while Sophie McDonald (five disposals, two tackles) and McKenzie Dowrick (three disposals, three tackles and two inside 50s) also played their third games.

Richmond vs. North Melbourne

Two teams with very different age profiles went at it when North Melbourne smashed the Tigers by 56 points. The Kangaroos had just the one player – Daisy Bateman – who was born this century, with the small forward booting two goals from 12 touches and two tackles in the huge win. The Tigers on the otherhand had a number of young talents, led by Kodi Jacques who picked up 12 disposals, two marks, two tackles and three inside 50s, while Ella Wood made her debut and had the six touches. Also running around in the yellow and black was Wood’s Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels’ teammate, Sophie Molan who had five disposals, three tackles and two inside 50s, as former Eastern Ranges captain, Laura McClelland managed seven touches and five tackles in the defeat. Also out there were Maddy Brancatisano (five disposals, three marks) and Sarah Sansonetti (one disposals, five tackles).

Geelong vs. Adelaide

Adelaide had an impressive win on the road against Geelong, and had a trio of rising stars running around. Danielle Ponter picked up 10 disposals, four marks, two tackles and two inside 50s, but booted a career-high four goals in a dominating performance inside 50. Nikki Gore managed eight disposals, nine tackles and a goal in the win, while Madison Newman had the two touches and two tackles. For the Cats, their host of second-year players continue to have an impact with Olivia Purcell (19 disposals, two tackles and a goal) and Nina Morrison (15 disposals, three marks, seven tackles and three rebounds) ever-busy. Rebecca Webster continued her good form with 13 disposals, three marks, three tackles, two inside 50s and two rebounds, teaming up well with another former Murray Bushrangers captain in Millie Brown (six disposals, three marks). Sophie Van De Heuvel (five disposals, three tackles and three inside 50s) and Georgia Clarke (two disposals) were also out there, while Rene Caris continued her development as second ruck with six disposals, two tackles, 10 hitouts and three rebounds.