A FAST start to the 2022 AFL NSW/ACT action has seen several AFLW Under 18 Championships talents stand out in Round 1 of the AFL Sydney and AFL Canberra competitions. We take a look at some of the big goalkickers and hone in on how the NSW/ACT representatives for the upcoming carnival performed.

AFL SYDNEY PREMIER DIVISION: ROUND 1 RESULTS

Manly Warringah Wolves 4.4 (28) defeated by East Coast Eagles 8.10 (58)
Southern Power 5.2 (32) defeated by Pennant Hills Demons 6.8 (44)
North Shore Bombers 16.9 (105) defeated Macquarie University 4.6 (30)
UNSW-ES Bulldogs 3.2 (20) defeated by Sydney University 3.6 (24)
UTS Bats 5.4 (34) defeated by Inner West Magpies 15.6 (96)

A four-goal performance from Eliza Harvey has helped Pennant Hill Demons hold off a determined Southern Power outfit and start the AFL Sydney Premier Division season off on the right note. Grace Painting featured on the winning side after being named in the NSW/ACT AFLW U18 Championships side, whilst on the losing team, AFLW Academy member and Swans talent Dakota Mason booted a goal and was named among the Power’s best.

Hannah Woolf slotted a goal in Manly Warringah Wolves’ five-goal defeat at the hands of East Coast Eagles, with a total of four other NSW/ACT Under 18 representatives in the match. Olivia Cameron was named amongst the best, whilst London Ashcroft, Jamie Saggers and Asha Turner Funk also took to the field in the loss. There was one successful representatives, with Jamie Kitchener slotting two goals in the Eagles’ victory.

Inner West Magpies has a big win over UTS Bats, slotting 15 goals during a 62-point thrashing. Four players booted multiple goals, with GWS talent Erin Lorenzini (two) among the dominant goalkickers, whilst Gillian Behan slammed home five. Rachel Simpson was the sole NSW/ACT representative and she was named amongst the best. In other results, North Shore Bombers thrashed Macquarie University, and UNSW-ES Bulldogs went down in a thriller at home to Sydney University by just four points.

AFL CANBERRA PREMIER DIVISION: ROUND 1 RESULTS

Queanbeyan Tigers 10.10 (70) defeated TVAFC 1.8 (14)
Belconnen Magpies 14.6 (90) defeated Gungahlin Jets 0.0 (0)
Ainslie Tricolours 10.10 (70) defeated Eastlake Demons 1.3 (9)

Murray Bushrangers’ full-forward Mindy Quade slotted three goals in Queanbeyan Tigers’ big win over TVAFC, continuing her great 2022 NAB League Girls season form, contributing strongly in the 10.10 (70) to 1.8 (14) victory. Bushrangers’ teammate India Lehman also played on the winning side. Though AFLW Academy member Cynthia Hamilton did not play, her older sister Jayde did, with the North VFLW representative named best on ground in the victory.

Belconnen Magpies were without Bushrangers’ ball-winner Zara Hamilton for the opening round match, but still picked up a massive 90-point victory, holding Gungahlin Jets scoreless. NSW/ACT representative Grace Read was among the players to run out for the black and whites.

The NSW/ACT representatives acquitted themselves very strongly during Ainslie Tricolours’ big 61-point victory over Eastlake Demons. Ellie Bishop (two goals) was named best on ground in the win, with Georgie Jaques also among the best players on the ground, whilst Tess Cattle did not play in the opening match.