AN AFL Draft Central Team of the Week first occurred in round three with four players from one side making the best 22 for the competition on the weekend. The Northern Knights had a season-high four nominees in our Team of the Week, with forward Alyssa Bannan and ruck Gabby Newton making the team for the second time this season, while the versatile Britney Gutknecht and debutant Ellie McKenzie also making the team.

Geelong Falcons and Murray Bushrangers also had three players named in the Team of the Week, with Falcons captain Lucy McEvoy, fellow defender Denby Taylor, and consistent midfield performer Olivia Purcell all having standout performances on the weekend. Rebecca Webster starred in the midfield for the Bushrangers and remains only one of three players to be named in our Team of the Week in each of the three rounds so far this season. Other Bushrangers that made the team were small midfielder Tamara Smith and rebounding defender Grace Egan.

Gippsland Power star Tyla Hanks made the team yet again for another impressive performance in her side’s draw with Murray, while Madison Prespakis represented Calder again, this time joined by the agile forward, Georgia Patrikios. Sandringham Dragons had two representatives in the team despite their loss, with midfielder Eleanor Brown a clear standout, while Eliza McNamara snuck onto the bench. Eastern Ranges forward Laura McClelland made the Team of the Week for the second consecutive round, this time alongside the exciting Olivia Meagher.

All other sides managed one representative, with Dandenong Stingrays’ Eloise Allen-Burns, Western Jets’ Elizabeth Georgiostathis and Bendigo Pioneers’ Megan Williamson making their debut in the Team of the Week. GWV star Georgia Clarke was instrumental at centre-half back against the Pioneers, while Katie Lynch did not miss a beat coming back for Oakleigh Chargers after a week off.

Like every week there are always some unlucky ones and at the top of the list were Dandenong Stingrays captain Jordyn Allen, her GWV Rebels counterpart Lauren Butler, and key defender Isabella Pritchard – who narrowly missed out on being in the team for three consecutive weeks. Others in the mix were Gippsland Power midfielder Alana Rippon and Bushrangers small forward Julia Harvey, as well as Dandenong’s Courtney Jones, Northern captain Maddy Bracantisano and her Eastern counterpart Emerson Woods.