FROM award-winning Giants, to bushfire relief donations and the announcement of the Kickstart and All Nations squads for the upcoming National Diversity Championships; it has been a big week in NSW/ACT football.

Tathra bushfires donations

Donations are still being taken to support the township of Tathra after recent bushfires tore through the area. The Bega Valley Shire Council has set up a Mayoral Appeal Fund from which people are able to donate, in order to raise much-needed funds for the victims and town. Local football club Tathra Sea Eagles will hold a raffle/auction at the Tathra Bowling Club on April 7 with all money raised going to the appeal. Additionally, AFL Sapphire Coast are encouraging spectators at the Sapphire Coast Junior Lightning Premiership on April 7 in Bega and Bermagui to dig deep, with all donations also going towards the appeal.

Much like the GWS GIANTS at last week’s match in Canberra, the Sydney Swans will also be collecting money at this Sunday’s match at the SCG.

For more information on how to donate, head to the AFL NSW/ACT website on the Tathra Bushfires page.

Gum takes out AFL Players MVP

GWS Giants first-year player Courtney Gum was voted by her peers as the Most Important Player in the AFLW for season 2018. Gum polled 219 votes in the award to win comfortably from Melbourne’s Karen Paxman (150) and Adelaide’s Chelsea Randall (128). Gum also just fell short of winning the Best First Year Player, edged out by Collingwood young gun Chloe Molloy, 84 votes to 79. Gum finished 10 votes clear of Brisbane’s Sophie Conway in third. The GWS midfielder also finished second in the Most Courageous Award behind Randall. Giants captain Amanda Farrugia was also recognised by the AFLW Players for her efforts, finishing second behind Melbourne’s Daisy Pearce in the Best Captain Award.

Just a day later, Gum was selected in the 2018 AFLW All-Australian team as ruck rover. She joined ruck Erin McKinnon and speedy midfielder Alicia Eva as the other Giants recognised with the honour. On the night, Gum also finished equal second in the AFLW Best and Fairest award, six votes behind winner Western Bulldogs midfielder Emma Kearney. Gum polled nine votes to share runner-up with Molloy and Fremantle’s Dana Hooker. Sydney youngster Rebecca Beeson was also nominated for the 2018 National Rising Star Award, nominated for her round one performance against Melbourne this season.

Eva honoured with Best and Fairest

GWS Giants star Alicia Eva was recognised for her consistent 2018 season last night, taking out the Gabrielle Trainor Medal at the GWS Giants Best and Fairest Awards Night. The NSW/ACT Youth Girls Head Coach wasted no time making her mark in Western Sydney since crossing from Collingwood at the end of the inaugural AFLW season. Eva finished the count on 79 votes, 10 clear of Courtney Gum, while Amanda Farrugia claimed third place. In other awards, Elle Bennetts took out the 2018 Rising Star Award, Erin McKinnon claimed the Community Award, Gum won the Members’ Choice Award, and Britt Tully was presented with the Coaches Award.

Phoebe McWilliams claimed both the Leading Goal Kicker Award for her seven goals in season 2018, while also recognised with the 2018 Mark of the Year for her hanger against Collingwood in round 3. Cora Staunton‘s amazing goal in round six against the Western Bulldogs saw the goal sneak claim the Goal of the Year Award.

NSW/ACT Kickstart and All Nations squads announced

The AFL NSW/ACT Kickstart and All Nations squads for the upcoming 2018 AFL National Diversity Championships were announced last week. More than 300 players from across Australia will descend on Blacktown for the five-day tournament. The Kickstart squad is comprised of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander players aged 14 and 15 years old, while the All Nations side contains players from 16 different multicultural backgrounds. Canberra’s Gerrit Wanganeen will coach the Kickstart side at the championships, while AFL Multicultural Ambassador Kynan Kilpatrick will take the reigns of the All Nations team.

To view the full squads, head to the AFL NSW/ACT page.