LAST weekend marked the first time the GWS Giants and Sydney Swans took part in the VFL Women’s, and while it was a great opportunity for the respective clubs to shake out the cobwebs of their established AFL Women’s talent a number of Academy players took to the field as well.

In particular one who caught the eye was Amelie Prosser-Shaw who played off a wing for the Giants, with the top-age athlete traditionally a defender but has spent more time up the ground over the off-season and even in the midfield at the Summer Series. She more than held her own against AFLW-listed opponent Keeley Skepper and got forward to kick the first goal of the game.

#8 Amelie Prosser-Shaw
Club: GWS Giants VFLW
Position: Wing

Stats: 12 disposals (9 kicks, 3 handballs), 2 tackles, 2 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50, 1 goal

Yet to play a bad game in season 2024 after an impressive Summer Series, Prosser-Shaw continued that fine form in the orange and charcoal against the Blues. After starting on the bench, she came onto the first at the four-minute mark with her side down by a goal. She went straight onto the wing opposed to Skepper, a position and opponent she would have throughout the contest.

After providing good pressure inside 50 early, her first touch was a little wayward off the side of her boot and went out of bounds. However she quickly found her range after winning a free kick inside 50. Lining up 35m out, it drifted to the left and hooked back in the breeze perfectly, with Prosser-Shaw kicking the first goal for the orange team.

Her pressure throughout even if not rewarded with a tackle was strong, and in the five minute mark of the second term, Prosser-Shaw had a snap from 20m that missed, but then quickly went to defence mode and killed a ball over the line from the kickout. She had a nice clean pickup late in the term and thumped it inside 50 as she would on a few occasions.

In the third term still on the wing, Prosser-Shaw had another nice inside 50 as the Giants began to mount a comeback. She had a clean pickup as she was tackled in the sixth minute but unfortunately that turned over, though she would get an effective clean handball away at the 12th minute mark while being slung to the ground in the middle of Ikon Park.

Prosser-Shaw was not afraid to take the game on with the opportunity presented itself, marking at half-back and taking off, kicking to the wing. Though the Carlton opponent ended up winning the one-on-one on that occasion, the Giants Academy member would win another touch via a handball at half-back, slicing laterally with a slick sidestep to dish off cleanly.

All in all, Prosser-Shaw certainly showed potential as a wing. She has a high running capacity, is good one-on-one and is a nice size to be able to compete. Though under pressure she did turn the ball over a little, she is normally an efficient user and the fat she was able to find 12 touches on debut, while also going back and having the responsibility of nailing the first Giants goal, was admirable.

Other GWS Giants:

Megan Mifsud was one who had no trouble finding the ball with the over-ager going from strength to strength this season. Capable of filling out a midfield-forward role, Mifsud had a massive seven clearances in the game, really getting first hands to the ball more often than not. She had a couple of chances on goal too though missed, with her best coming from a 45-degree angle 15m out but hitting the post.

Hard-running talent Sophia de Castella worked well up forward applying plenty of pressure and even won a touch at half-back in the final term, with her neat short kicks effective enough. Charlotte Canavan also earned a chance in the match, while mature-age options, Sophie Kavanagh, Caitlin Fletcher and Summer Hall had some nice moments.

Sydney Swans Academy:

The Swans filled out an AFL Women’s heavy side but still had a VFLW-aligned youngster in the team for the big win over the Western Bulldogs. Overage midfielder Imogen Brown had 13 disposals, two marks and two clearances, with the majority of her touches being quick release handballs to teammates. Abbey Martin – who has been cutting her teeth impressively in the AFL Sydney competition also got her chance, picking up nine disposals, two marks and having two rebound 50s out of defence.

The Opponents:

Carlton:

Former Bendigo Pioneer Steph Demeo (17 disposals, five marks, three clearances, two inside 50s and two rebound 50s) continues to play an important role and her skill and decision making shines even at senior level. Ex-Swans Academy Asha Turner Funk (13 disposals, one mark, one clearance and one inside 50) had her moments, while midfielder Isabelle Khoury (13 disposals, three tackles, two clearances and two inside 50s) contributed strongly.

Western Bulldogs:

Mature-age ruck Keeley Hardingham had a day out in the ruck, racking up 21 disposals and 25 hitouts, with the 20-year-old really impressing against AFLW-listed Swans talent. She also had three marks, two clearances, two inside 50s and three rebound 50s. Jaimi Tabb (13 disposals, two tackles, two clearances and two inside 50s) tried hard.