ROUND five was the round of high-possession games. The impressive Melbourne trio of Daisy Pearce, Karen Paxman and Elise O’Dea combined for 72 disposals, while Brisbane’s Kate Lutkins had her fair share of the ball with 26 possessions out of the backline. At Moe, Western Bulldogs star midfielder, Ellie Blackburn was able to gather 17 possessions in a best-on-ground performance, helping out Emma Kearney, who battled against Collingwood’s Brittany Bonnici during the match. Over in the west, GWS’ Courtney Gum continued to prove that age is no barrier, playing a great game in the midfield and racking up 16 disposals. 

Daisy Pearce was instrumental in Melbourne’s thrilling win over Brisbane on Friday night, gathering 24 disposals and kicking two goals. As always, she was complemented by fellow midfielders, Paxman and O’Dea, who each racked up more than 20 disposals. This elite Melbourne trio continues to make waves in the competition, and in our Team of the Week, with all three making their way into our best 21 yet again.

On Saturday night, the Crows put on a brilliant performance against Carlton and won comfortably by 35 points. In the process, they earned the most representatives in this week’s best 21, with four players making it into the side. But their opponents did not fare as well, as the Blues only have one representative. They are joined by the Dockers in only having one player in the Team of the Week, after they lost to GWS at home.

This round was dominated by the midfielders. Daisy Pearce, Courtney Gum and Ellie Blackburn all put on flawless displays, which assisted in getting their teams over the line. All three players polled a perfect 10 coaches’ votes. This assured that Pearce, Gum and Blackburn were automatic selections into this week’s best 21.

Picking the rucks was a hard decision to make, with many players playing well in round five. Coastal Titans recruit, Emma King was a standout in Collingwood’s loss to the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, and got the nod in our Team in the Week. However, GWS’s Erin McKinnon almost nabbed the ruck position from King, after equalling the highest number of hit-outs in an AFLW match (39). Carlton’s Breann Moody was also a sneaky chance, after racking 29 disposals and 11 hit-outs against the Crows, earning her a round five Rising Star nomination.

FB: Chelsea Randall (Adel), Kate Lutkins (Bris), Chloe Molloy (Coll)

HB: Ebony Antonio (Frem), Jasmine Garner (Coll), Ellie Brush (GWS)

C: Daisy Pearce (Melb)

HF: Eloise Jones (Adel), Phoebe McWilliams (GWS), Jacinda Barclay (GWS)

FF: Ruth Wallace (Adel), Sabrina Frederick-Traub (Bris), Brooke Lochland (WB)

R: Emma King (Coll), Ellie Blackburn (WB), Courtney Gum (GWS)

I/C: Katie Loynes (Carl), Ebony Marinoff (Adel), Karen Paxman (Melb), Elise O’Dea (Melb), Monique Conti (WB)