A TRIPLE-header of action over the weekend saw all six sides in the AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships take to the field in south-east Melbourne. However not every player on each of the lists got a chance to don their state colours on the opening weekend of action. We take a look at those who missed out and how their performed in their respective competitions.

ALLIES:

Swans Academy bottom-ager Frances Walsh ran hard all across the ground for Sydney University during the Students’ first loss of the AFL Sydney Women’s Premier Division season. Walsh finished with 18 disposals – 15 uncontested – six marks and four inside 50s, working hard alongside the likes of Emma Juneja and Amanda Farrugia.

QUEENSLAND:

With a couple of her Morningside teammates representing Queensland, bottom-ager Zoe Petrides got her chance to stand up, albeit in the Panthers’ first loss of the year. The smart forward/midfielder finished with 12 disposals, two marks, five clearances, four tackles and four inside 50s in her side’s defeat to Aspley Hornets.

Another bottom-ager in Freya Ross fronted up for University of Queensland in the Red Lionesses’ defeat to Wilston Grange. Ross recorded nine disposals, one mark, one tackle, laid eight tackles and had three inside 50s during the 28-point defeat. Meanwhile 2008-born tall Ella Gibson ran around for Morningside Panthers in the Under 17 Girls Division 1 in a 25-point victory over Noosa Tigers.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA:

Woodville-West Torrens’ Ruby Lynch is a high-upside tall viewed as a future ruck, though has rotated through there as well as key position spots on the ground. She played her first SANFLW game in two months, finishing as one of the Eagles’ best thanks to 16 disposals, four marks, nine tackles, six hitouts, two clearances and three inside 50s in a 20-point victory over West Adelaide.

Three South Australian representatives took to the field in South Adelaide’s victory over Norwood, with Hope Taylor earning the bragging rights on the Panthers’ side. Taylor had 10 disposals, one mark, three tackles, three inside 50s and one rebound 50 in the win.

Norwood ruck Kate Alexander (three disposals, three tackles, 20 hitouts, one clearance and one inside 50) had a tough day against the league benchmark Soriah Moon, while top-ager Lottie Almond finished with nine disposals, two marks, four tackles and two rebound 50s.

The other South Australian in action was Central District small Jyearah Newchurch who is still awaiting her SANFLW debut. The talented bottom-ager has been building nice form in Adelaide Football League’s Division 5 for Salisbury North where she was named second best in her side’s 19-point win over Kilburn.

VIC COUNTRY & METRO:

Dandenong Stingrays’ Charlotte Gilmore was the most sole Vic Country listed player running around in the Coates Talent League with her side in action against Murray Bushrangers. She starred in a best on ground performance, notching up 26 disposals, six tackles, seven clearances, two inside 50s and booting the sealing goal in the tight win up at Deakin Reserve.

Bottom-age Dragon Chloe Williams was likewise having a day out for Sandringham in its win over Tasmania down on the Apple Isle. Williams notched up 24 disposals, five marks, six clearances and three inside 50s in that match.

At local level, Maddison Meagher played her first game of the season for Diamond Creek who ran out whopping 143-0 winners over Eltham where the speedy Knights bottom-ager was named amongst the best, also kicking a goal. Meanwhile Eastern Ranges bottom-ager Bridie Neale ran into an ultra-strong Lysterfield side filled with her Coates Talent League teammates and suffered an 80-point defeat while representing Heathmont in the Eastern Football League Under 18 Girls competition.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA:

South Fremantle had three representatives running around in its huge upset victory over the previously unbeaten Subiaco. National Academy member Alira Fotu made her successful return from a knee injury with two goals from 15 touches and five marks, while the explosive Eva Flynn played off a wing for 13 touches, one tackles and two inside 50s, and defender Melinda Bobby (five disposals, one mark) also played her role.

Other Sandgropers to play include Perth’s Addison Opalinski who was among the Demons’ best in the loss to Claremont thanks to 12 disposals, one mark and three tackles, while West Perth’s Rikisha Nannup managed 13 disposals, two marks and one inside 50 in a big victory over Peel Thunder.

Another Bulldog in Shaya Yarran played for South Fremantle’s Rogers Cup side which had a narrow one-goal win over Subiaco in tough conditions at Fremantle Community Bank Oval.