ADELAIDE Crows started round three of the 2018 AFLW season on the bottom of the ladder, and a major contributor to their slow start was the absence of their awe-inspiring captain Erin Phillips. Phillips was a late out in round one with a quad complaint, and the reigning premiers struggled without her until she made her triumphant return at Norwood Oval on the weekend. Phillips demonstrated why she is the reigning AFLW MVP, with a tantalising display of class against the Bulldogs. Her skill in front of goal was a particular highlight, as she finished with four majors on the board, and inspired her side’s first win of the year. 

Round three saw a more even spread amongst the Team of the Week, with plenty of new faces making their way into the side. Four Fremantle players earned a spot in the best 21, while the Bulldogs and Crows also contributed their fair share with three representatives each. But the even spread does not include any Blues players, after they succumbed to a loss against Brisbane at home. 

After a two week hiatus, premiership captain, Erin Phillips was a lock in the Team of the Week, thanks to a stellar performance in the forward line. Fremantle captain, Kara Donnellan was picked second in the team this week, with the St Albans product playing an exceptional captain’s game against Melbourne. She racked up 17 disposals, and took a match-saving mark in the dying seconds of the game.

Emily Bates starred for Brisbane with 20 disposals, with the prolific ball-winner trying her heart out all night against the Blues. But the Yeronga junior just could not fit into the jam-packed Team of the Week. Fremantle’s Lisa Webb was also unlucky to miss out in being in this week’s best 21, after a stellar performance in her second AFLW outing, racking up 17 disposals and kicking a goal.

FB: Chelsea Randall (Adel), Kate Lutkins (Bris), Leah Kaslar (Bris)

HB: Evangeline Gooch (Frem), Sarah Allan (Adel), Ebony Antonio (Frem)

C: Kara Donnellan (Frem)

HF: Sophie Conway (Bris), Tegan Cunningham (Melb), Phoebe McWilliams (GWS)

FF: Katie Brennan (WB), Erin Phillips (Adel), Emily McGuire (Frem)

F: Emma King (Coll), Alicia Eva (GWS), Daisy Pearce (Melb)

I/C: Courtney Gum (GWS), Emma Kearney (WB), Ebony Marinoff (Adel), Chloe Molloy (Coll), Kaitlyn Ashmore (Bris)