THE TAC Cup Girls is finished and the TAC Cup had a development weekend, but that did not stop plenty of young stars shining at various levels, with plenty of memorable moments from the weekend.

TAC Cup Girls star on VFLW stage

It was the first round where we saw wholesale changes to the Victorian Football League (VFL) Women’s competition as the next batch of future stars entered the ranks. After a break from TAC Cup Girls competition, some of the best top-age prospects this year shone against senior bodies. Calder Cannons star Madison Prespakis and Bendigo Pioneers captain Megan Williamson were named best for their respective teams, while Oakleigh Chargers’ Daisy Bateman booted three goals and Gippsland Power’s Tyla Hanks was also one of many named among their teams’ bests.

Young Guns fire away

They might have missed out on their draft opportunity in their top-age year for one reason or another, but the AFL Young Guns series is giving some of the best 19 year-olds and older a chance to have their names thrown into the ring. With the VFL development league no longer, the match gives young players still on TAC Cup lists or on the verge of VFL senior selection, a chance to stand out from the crowd and make AFL recruiters take notice. Corey Rich booted six goals, and was among a number of mature-age prospects who starred on the day.

Williamstown claims maiden victory

Perhaps TAC Cup Girls pair Sophie Van De Heuvel and Megan Williamson are good luck charms, and on the weekend they helped Williamstown’s VFL Women’s side claim its first win of the season – and its history with a 31-point victory over Richmond VFL Women’s. Van De Heuvel had 21 disposals, three marks, eight tackles and booted two behinds, while Williamson was magnificent with nine tackles to go with 15 disposals, five marks and a goal. The win has left Casey Demons, Essendon and Western Bulldogs as the only sides without a victory thus far this season.

Victorian/Allies trials a success

It was no surprise to see Geelong Falcons co-captain Sam Walsh and Tasmanian star Tarryn Thomas stand out from the crowd at Sunday’s trial games where the Allies split the wins with Victoria as Metro got up in the second game. Gippsland Power captain Xavier Duursma and Oakleigh Chargers midfielder Riley Collier-Dawkins were among the best for their respective sides, while Chayce Jones and Connor McFadyen were others who showed some glimpses of great talent.

South Australia and NT kick off National AFLW Under 18 Championships

In the first of many exciting games over the next month and a half, South Australia claimed two victories over Northern Territory in series one of the National AFL Women’s Under 18 Championships. The teams combine to form the Central Allies and will face the Eastern Allies – an amalgamation of NSW/ACT and Tasmania – and both Victorian sides in the second series on the Gold Coast in July. NSW/ACT and Tasmania face off this weekend to finalise their squad ahead of that second series.