AMONG this week’s Scouting Notes is praise for a young Swan, a versatile Saint and a returning Borough star.

Darebin (2.3.15) lost to Port Melbourne (3.5.23)

Darebin:

#9 Alyssa Mifsud (Midfielder)
22/12/1994 | 176cm

Stats: 17 disposals, seven clearances, four tackles

Mifsud saw a bit of a role change over the weekend, and it seemed to benefit her really well.

Moving from her usual central forward role to a more midfield role, it allowed her to get more involved in the game, and with being a taller, stronger bodied player, it allowed Mifsud to shake up the midfield situation in a positive manner for the Falcons.

#50 Sabine Du Parquet (Forward)
2/9/1997 | 174cm

Stats: 10 disposals, four tackles, three marks, one hit out

Du Parquet is already growing in confidence as a forward this season, but on the weekend she ventured further up the ground and had an important influence in helping the Falcons transition down the ground.

She was playing a bit of a more wing role, and with her pace and endurance she was able to be really important in helping the Falcons get the ball back down the court.

#52 Monique DeMatteo (Forward)
24/05/1997 | 168cm

Stats: 10 disposals, four tackles, two goals, two behinds

DeMatteo continues to prove to be a story of what was Collingwood’s loss has certainly been Darebin’s gain.

Once again she was their only goal kicker and continued to be a strong marking presence up forward, and is a confident example for the other, mostly younger, Darebin forwards to follow.

Port Melbourne:

#9 Belinda Woolcock (Midfielder)
24/1/1995 | 169cm

Stats: 12 disposals, four clearances, two marks, two tackles

A new face to the Borough this season, Woolcock has slowly but surely been growing into an important part of the Borough midfield.

On the weekend in particular she was particularly hardworking, working alongside her fellow midfielders (including the likes of Ava Seton) really well and was in and under plenty of packs, trying to get first use of the ball for her team.

#17 Emily Harley (Forward)
4/12/2001 | 172cm

Stats: 10 disposals, four marks, two goals, one clearance

Harley made her return to the side after an injury layoff, and her return was much needed for the Borough as they broke their losing streak.

She provided that tall but also strong target the Borough needed in attack, and with a powerful kick on her, her two goals really proved the difference.

#36 Ava Seton (Midfielder)
19/4/2004 | 165cm

Stats: 19 disposals, 15 tackles, six clearances

It was another strong game from Seton.

She not only worked well alongside the likes of Woolcock in the clearance game, but she was also a tackle machine, not letting Darebin get any easy transitions downfield.

Sydney (5.5.35) lost to Collingwood (5.7.37)

Sydney:

#48 Emma Juneja (Midfielder)
8/5/2006 | 170cm

Stats: 10 disposals, two marks, one tackle, one goal

It may have been Juneja’s first game at this level, but she definitely stepped up and did not look out of place.

She played more of an inside midfield role as compared to her usual wing role, but still got plenty of the ball, showed off some fancy footwork and powerful kicking, with her goal coming from a kick that was well over 40m.

Collingwood:

#40 Carly Remmos (Midfielder)
16/08/2002 | 173cm

Stats: 20 disposals, nine tackles, four clearances

Despite playing alongside a number of AFLW players, Remmos still made a significant impact on the game.

Seeing plenty of the ball, she had both a strong clearance game and applied plenty of defensive pressure.

#50 Kaitlyn Day (Forward)
24/12/1994 | 168cm

Stats: 12 disposals, three clearances, two tackles, two behinds, one goal

There was a slight change in role for Day on the weekend, but if anything it allowed her to get more involved in the game.

At times playing further up the ground than usual, she was able to create more of the attacking play than usual, and her final minute goal was ultimately the match winner.

Carlton (5.3.33) defeated Geelong (4.6.30)

By: Peter Williams

Carlton:

#26 Holly Ridewood (Wing)
27/12/2006 | 174cm

Stats: 14 disposals, five marks, four tackles, one clearance, four inside 50s

The Northern Knights skipper had no problems getting into the right spots on the ground to mark and provide some drive forward, particularly late in the first half where she had a couple of good grabs at half-forward. Working up and down the wing, her efficiency was down but given the upped pressure it was understandable. She laid some strong tackles and was comfortable in the air.

#55 Mel Staunton (Midfielder)
24/01/2005 | 168cm

Stats: 15 disposals, two marks, five tackles, four clearances, two inside 50s, two rebound 50s

The former AFLW Academy member had somme nice moments throughout the game, winning a number of critical clearances and putting her body on the line. She had a snap on goal midway through the second term that just missed, but covered the ground well, attending plenty of stoppages and making her presence felt, while using it well with time and space.

#70 Isla Baldwin (Midfielder)
22/12/2005 | 162cm

Stats: 26 disposals, four marks, seven tackles, six clearances, six inside 50s

Brought her own ball at points through the middle, racking up touches left, right and centre. She was quick on the inside and cleared the ball from congestion on a number of occasions. She was let down by the final execution in the first half due to rushing to dispose of it, but worked into the game well and was better in the second half, having a number of big moments including dishing off a goal assist and winning a vital clearance.

#78 Simone Mooney (Midfielder)
20/03/2004 | 169cm

Stats: 20 disposals, eight tackles, eight clearances, one inside 50, one rebound 50

Played an enormous role through midfield and did not take a backwards step the whole game. She was fierce, won a number of free kicks for getting to the ball first, and was able to get the ball downfield. A natural inside midfielder, Mooney played a crucial role around the stoppages, and aided in other teammates getting it just outside the packs. Her tackling was huge as well.

#79 Hannah Scott (Forward/Midfielder)
10/12/2005 | 161cm

Stats: 14 disposals, six tackles, one clearance, four inside 50s

The Knights overager had a few moments including a flying shot on goal that went to the left and was marked on the line, but also setting up Eliza Wood for a goal midway through the third term. She found her fair share of her ball at ground level, and was able to move the ball in transition to get it inside 50.

#80 Zoe Hargreaves (Forward/Wing)
03/06/2006 | 172cm

Stats: 12 disposals, one mark, two tackles, three inside 50s

Found the going a little tougher and was not as clean with the added pressure, but once she had the ball in her hands was able to create some dash and take it forward. Her handballing was clean, while her kicking went to dangerous spots, it was sometimes picked off. Her second and third efforts were very good and she kept running all day.

Geelong:

#17 Lily Jordan (Midfielder)
29/06/2005 | 165cm

Stats: 22 disposals, three marks, four tackles, three clearances, one inside 50, one rebound 50

It was a high production game from the midfielder who played her role on-ball and was ultra-clean when it mattered most. She gives away the odd free kick, but attacks it hard and stands up in tackles strongly. More often than not made things happen with her disposal an had a purple patch early in the fourth where she was involved in multiple disposals gong from half-back down the field.

#38 Piper Dunlop (Ruck)
26/09/2003 | 186cm

Stats: Six disposals, six tackles, 28 hitouts, one clearance, one inside 50, one rebound 50

Coming in for her debut, the basketballer played through the ruck and got first hands to it plenty, especially with fellow cross-coder Samantha Gooden going down with injury in the second term. At ground level, she laid her fair share of tackles, and while still developing her game understanding, was able to do some nice things.

#52 Johanna Sunderland (Defender)
14/07/2005 | 165cm

Stats: 18 disposals, three marks, one tackle, three clearances, four rebound 50s

Provided composure out of defence and was clean and neat as per usual. She pushed up the ground to add an extra number to the contest at times and extract from the defensive stoppages, with her clean hands and quick disposal a feature of her game. Sunderland was often utilised as a switch player who won loose ball at half-back, but picked out passes to open the game up and bring her teammates into it.

Southern Stars (3.5.23) lost to North Melbourne (3.6.24)

Southern Saints:

#28 Maddison Torpey (Ruck)
18/11/2004 | 183cm

Stats: 29 hit outs, 15 disposals, six clearances, three marks, two tackles

It is hard to differentiate yourself as a ruck sometimes, but Tropey really played an influential role on the weekend.

She was not only strong in her tap work, but also roved her own work at times, and was like an extra midfielder for the Saints.

#37 Georgia Foran (Defender)
17/10/2004 | 174cm

Stats: 18 disposals, eight marks, three tackles

This season Foran is truly showing her flexibility as a footballer.

After spending the last few weeks in the forward line it was a trip back to defence for Foran on the weekend, where she provided a valuably pillar on the last line of defence, taking several strong marks and rebounding strongly.

North Melbourne:

#4 Audrey Rhodes (Midfielder)
17/6/1997 | 162cm

Stats:15 disposals, six tackles, five learances, two marks

It was another strong game from Rhodes, who really never does stop working in that North Melbourne midfield.

She once again had a strong clearance game and a strong tackle game, and also showed a bravery to go for the mark in congested situations.

#12 Maddie Di Cosmo (Midfielder)
11/2/2002 | 169cm

Stats: 20 disposals, seven tackles, four clearances, four marks

Much like her midfield partner in crime in Rhodes, it was another one of those games from Di Cosmo at a standard that any fan has come to expect from her.

She is a hardworking midfielder, who is not afraid to fight hard for the ball and put her body on the line to do so.

#30 Nicole Hales (Defender)
11/8/1995 | 168cm

Stats: 19 disposals, five marks, one tackle, one clearance

In a game where defences played a massive role, particularly early, Hales was one of the brightest stars in North Melbourne’s.

Much like Foran up the end, she played on the last line of defence and was a really strong marking presence and rebounded really well out of defence.

Casey (6.5.41) drew with Williamstown (6.5.41)

Casey Demons:

#12 Charlotte Brewer (Midfielder)
9/11/2006 | 164cm

Stats: 18 disposals, seven tackles, two clearances, two marks

She may have only been on debut, but Brewer was on a mission to prove she belonged at this level.

Playing higher up the ground than her usual defence role, she provided plenty of run on the wing, while also provided some serious tackle pressure.

#18 Meg Macdonald (Midfielder)
29/6/1998 | 172cm

Stats: 21 disposals, seven clearances, four tackles, two marks

It was another captain’s performance from Macdonald, who certainly led with her actions on Sunday.

With strong clearance work one of her main weapons, she was a midfield general for the Dees, scooping up plenty of loose ball just in front of half back and repelling the ball back into attack.

#21 Zoe Mitchell (Midfielder)
14/8/1998 | 164cm

Stats: 20 disposals, 12 tackles, eight clearances, two marks

Having been somewhat around the mark for much of the start of this season, last weekend saw a real step up from Mitchell to make a true influence on the game.

Her two strongest assets were her clearance work and her defensive pressure, both proving very helpful in stifling Williamstown’s progress forward.

Williamstown:

#18 Eliza Straford (Midfielder)
13/12/1997 | 159cm

Stats: eight disposals, five tackles, two clearances, two goals, one mark

It was a true captain’s performance from Straford.

Utilising her speed really well, she created plenty of drive into attack, while also creating space to give her the opportunity to attack the goal.

#20 Teagan Brett (Forward)
8/2/2001 | 157cm

Stats: eight disposals, three marks, two tackles, one goal

It was another impressive performance from the small forward.

Using her body strength to her advantage, she was a strong marking presence in attack, while also playing a smaller, speedy forward role at times.

#25 Sharnie Whiting (Forward)
23/08/2000 | 172cm

Stats: 11 disposals, three marks, two tackles, one clearance

Although it was a rare zero goal game from Whiting, she was able to influence the game in other ways.

Her endurance meant that she was able to drift up the ground and maintain influence on the game, driving plenty of attacking opportunities.

GWS (7.13.55) defeated Essendon (1.2.8)

GWS:

#2 Zoe Hurrell (Midfielder)
15/10/2001 | 168cm

Stats: 15 disposals, three marks, one clearance, one goal

It was an another impressive game from Hurrell, who continued to shine in GWS’ midfield despite being surrounded by more famous team mates.

She was a strong generator of attacking momentum and even picked up a goal for her troubles.

#21 Summer Hall (Forward)
5/9/2002 | 165cm

Stats: 10 disposals, two tackles, two clearances, one mark, one goal

One of a number of younger forwards, Hall really elevated herself on the weekend.

She was lively in attack and judged the angle really well to slot through the first goal of the match.

#30 Sophie Kavanagh (Forward)
06/11/2004 | 166cm

Stats: 11 disposals, three tackles, one goal, one behind

After impressing last week, Kavanagh again impressed against the Bombers.

She was lively in attack and impressively navigated heavy traffic well to score a goal.

Essendon:

#61 El Chaston (Defender)
23/2/2002 | 169cm

Stats: 23 disposals, eight tackles, two marks

In a game where the Essendon defence was certainly tested hard, Chaston shone above them all.

They were a strong marker and were a reliable rebounder out of defence, and the result would have been far more lopsided without them.

#80 Marnie Robinson (Defender)
8/6/2005 | 173cm

Stats: 11 disposals, nine marks, three tackles

Much like her captain, Robinson was a shining light in a well tested Essendon defence.

Among her most impressive traits on the weekend were her strong marking ability on the last line of defence and her ability to rebound accordingly.

Western Bulldogs (8.7.55) defeated Box Hill (4.6.30)

Western Bulldogs:

#56 Renee Saulitis (Forward)
14/8/2002 | 165cm

Stats: 12 disposals, four marks, three tackles, one goal, one behind

It was another impressive game from Saulitis, who although did not change positions still added creativity to her game.

She normally plays as a tall marking forward, but with her agility and creative use of the angles was at times playing more like a smaller forward.

#63 Jaimi Tabb (Midfielder)
9/2/2001 | 168cm

Stats: 16 disposals, 10 tackles, four clearances, one goal

Tabb played a slightly different role to usual on the weekend, but it was one she slotted into with ease.

She played more as an inside midfielder as compared to her usual stay at home forward role, and as a taller and stronger body she was able to have a real impact on the contest.

Box Hill:

#35 Ellie McLinden (Defender)
19/8/2002 | 174cm

Stats: 14 disposals, three marks, two tackles, one clearance

When the Hawks’ defence was under siege particularly early, McLinden was the one standing tall.

She was calm and composed when near the ball, taking a number of key intercept marks and repelling the ball accordingly.