A NEW AFL Women’s season begun in earnest on the weekend, so with the seven games in the books, we take a look at who stood out statistically across the round. For this article, we took a look at those in their debut season – either first-year players, or those who were yet to make their AFL Women’s debut despite being on a club list.

St Kilda had three players playing their first ever AFLW games on Friday night. Lucy Burke had four disposals, a mark and three tackles, while Leah Cutting had five disposals, two marks and three tackles. Alana Woodward on the other hand, who only came in after Molly McDonald had to withdraw, had nine disposals, and three tackles. 

Richmond also had three league debutants on the weekend. Stella Reid only had four disposals, a mark and two tackles but she did kick a terrific goal. Meagan Kiely had 11 disposals, a mark and five tackles, while Emelia Yassir had seven disposals, three marks and a tackle. Kiely also kicked two stellar goals in the win.

Geelong did not waste any time showing off their new recruits, with six of their players making their AFLW debut on the weekend. Georgie Prespakis had a debut to remember, registering 20 disposals and six tackles, as well as earning a Rising Star nomination.

Zali Friswell had 10 disposals, a mark and three tackles, while Olivia Fuller also had 10 disposals but also had two marks and 13 hitouts. Annabel Johnson had six disposals, three marks and a tackle, while Irish debutant Rachel Kearns had seven disposals, a mark and five tackles. Claudia Gunjaca had a quiet day out in a tough role, registering only the one disposal.

North on the other hand only had three debutants on the weekend. Father-daughter recruit Amy Smith had eight disposals, two marks and four tackles in the win. Meanwhile, Jasmine Ferguson starred for the Roos out of defence, 12 disposals, five marks and three tackles, while Tess Craven had a quiet game, with only the three disposals and a mark.

Melbourne had two league debutants on Saturday night. Eliza West was busy in the midfield, registering nine disposals, two marks and a tackle. Maggie Caris may have only had two disposals and two tackles but was a very effective deputy in the ruck to Lauren Pearce, even registering more hitouts than the Dees number one ruck.

Western Bulldogs also had two players playing their first ever AFLW games on the weekend. Amanda Ling had three disposals, a mark and two tackles, while Elizabeth Snell had six disposals and six tackles in a fierce performance.

Fremantle had six players line up for its first AFLW match on the weekend. Irishwoman Aine Tighe finally got to make her debut on the weekend after an injury-ruined first few years on Fremantle’s list. She had five disposals and four tackles, but certainly held her own in the ruck, registering 19 hitouts.

Ann McMahon also finally got to make her long awaited debut on the weekend.  She had nine disposals, a mark and seven tackles in the win. In terms of their draftees, Dana East finished on nine disposals, a mark and five tackles, while Jess Low had six disposals and two marks. Airlie Runnalls had 14 disposals, two marks and a tackle, while Makaela Tuhakaraina provided the pressure around the contest, winning three disposals and three tackles.

Meanwhile, West Coast had only the one AFLW debutant in Charlotte Thomas. She had eight disposals, two marks and two tackles in the loss.

There was only one league debutant to feature in this match, and it was Adelaide’s Jasmine Simmons. The former basketballer had an impressive first outing, especially for a cross-coder. She had 10 disposals, three marks and two tackles in the win over the Lions.

For the Blues Jess Good proved herself an able backup to Breann Moody on the weekend. She had four disposals and a mark, but also 12 hitouts, three tackles and a behind to her name.

Annie Lee only had the two disposals and a mark, but played her role in the back 50 for the Blues that was quite a challenging one on the day. Paige Trudgeon might have also had a pretty quiet game on the stats sheet, registering the two disposals, a mark and three tackles, but won the battle one-on-one in defence against Magpies key forward Sabrina Frederick.

Meanwhile for Collingwood, Eliza James got better as the match went on, finishin with eight disposals, two marks and three tackles. In a quieter outing, Eloise Chaston registered the two disposals, a mark and a tackle, but her pressure was high.

Gold Coast had four debutants on the weekend – Jacqui Dupuy, Tara Bohanna, Charlie Rowbottom and Alana Barba.

Number one draft pick Rowbottom had a solid first up performance. She had 11 disposals, two marks and six tackles. Meanwhile Dupuy made the most of her touches through the middle, recording three clearances from six touches and four hitouts. In quieter outings, Barba registered only two disposals and four tackles in the loss – though only had 58 per cent game time – while Bohanna only had one kick, but it was an important kick because it resulted in a goal. She also registered one hitout.

GWS on the other hand had three debutants. GWS’ pair of debuting Allys were tackling machines on the weekend. Ally Morphett had five disposals, two marks, 15 hitouts and three tackles, while Ally Dallaway had five disposals two marks and six tackles. Irishwoman Brid Stack finally made her debut after a terrifying neck injury ended her 2021 season before it began. She had seven disposals, a mark and a solid five tackles in the win.