THE final round of the AFL Women’s home and away season saw youngsters from each team given one last chance to showcase their form whilst a few more will get extra weeks to put their best foot forward during finals footy. We run you through how Generation W’s generation next fared across the latest weekend, focusing on players in every match under 21 years of age selected from the most recent draft crop.

Western Bulldogs vs. Richmond

It took a tough effort from the Bulldogs to overcome the Tigers on Friday night, and it took strong form from a couple of young guns throughout to really stay ahead of the hungry Tiges. for the winning side, Elisabeth Georgostathis was tasked with tagging out Monique Conti and did so impressively, whilst Nell Morris-Dalton booted her first career goal in the opening term in her best AFLW output yet. Gabby Newton, Gemma LaGioia and Isabelle Pritchard all managed 10-plus touches, while Jess Fitzgerald could not find the big sticks but managed nine touches and five tackles. For the yellow and black, Sophie Molan and Ellie McKenzie continue to impress, with the later clutching a huge mark over the back of Brooke Lochland in the second which could come into mark of the year contention, while Maddy Brancatisano managed 10 touches and five tackles.

North Melbourne vs. Fremantle

North sewed up a finals berth with their Round 9 one-point victory over the Dockers, with a Daisy Bateman major assisting the Roos to a critical lead with less than 10 on the clock – a goal which ended up being the sealer. A seven-touch and four-mark effort from Bella Eddey saw the 19-year-old put on one of her better performances this season, while Mia King produced another solid effort. Docker Bianca Webb put on her best effort to-date with 12 touches and seven tackles as Mim Strom, Roxy Roux and Sarah Verrier put on strong performances in a disappointing outing for Fremantle.

Melbourne vs. Brisbane

The Dees clung for dear life onto victory to claim a home final, with crucial back-to-back goals from Alyssa Bannan and Tyla Hanks in the final term to clinch the win. Eliza McNamara may not have had the footy as much as past weeks with 11 touches of the footy but was clean with ball in hand and did not relent, while Brenna Tarrant held onto her spot on the list and did not disappoint off the backline. For the Lions, livewire Courtney Hodder produced a superb running goal to spark her side into action as Isabel Dawes found the footy 11 times to go with five tackles as Indy Tahau also got hands to the footy.

Gold Coast Suns vs. Geelong

Geelong won its first match of the season in style, defeating the Suns by 17 points as young gun Laura Gardiner showcased what she is capable of with 18 disposals and seven tackles as Sophie Van De Heuvel and Olivia Barber both put on promising performances with 13 and 10 disposals respectively. Gold Coast’s Maddison Levi and Lucy Single plied their trade well while Wallis Randell and Dee Heslop were kept relatively quiet in a disappointing end to the Suns’ season.

Adelaide Crows vs. Collingwood

The Crows reigned supreme to win the minor premiership off the back of this victory, with its experienced faces making the mark in this encounter. Nevertheless, the likes of Teah Charlton remained consistent in her ninth straight match for the side, putting a goal on the board from her seven touches and two tackles. For the Pies, Mikala Cann continues to put her best foot forward with an equal-career-high 15 touches again this round while Tarni Brown (11 touches and four tackles) and Joanna Lin (nine) both plied their trade in the loss.

GWS Giants vs. Carlton

The Blues pipped GWS at the post in the two sides’ final match of the season, with Maddy Prespakis dominating once more to close her second impressive season. With 27 touches, Prespakis led the charge as Grace Egan (12 touches, six tackles) and Lucy McEvoy (eight and seven) continued their respective solid strings of form. GIANTS’ Georgia Garnett and Tarni Evans combined for 17 disposals and seven tackles between them.

West Coast vs. St Kilda

It was the young-gun show as the Saints ran down the Eagles to complete the home-and-away season, with Georgia Patrikios and Tyanna Smith driving the side home. Patrikios’ 30-disposal effort was a career-high to lead all comers, as Smith was next in line with 24 while Alice Burke (12 touches) put on her best performance yet, as Jess Matin piled on the offensive pressure with three goals from 11 disposals. Eagles developing talent Mikayla Bowen showcased her footy nous with 22 touches and five tackles, whilst Bella Lewis and Amber Ward both put imposing stats on the board in a great effort from the young stars.