The Inner Sanctum have selected players from each game as to who's contributions were big yet underrated. (Design: Will Cuckson)
In the biggest round to date this AFLW season, the stars shone in every match.
However, there were still plenty who quietly made an impact for their team. Here’s The Inner Sanctum‘s underrated performers from every Round 2 game (plus the additional Tuesday night game).
Collingwood vs Fremantle – Ruby Schleicher
The Pies may have lost their first game of 2022, but Schleicher still stood tall down back against a potent Fremantle forward line.
Consistently pressured by Freo throughout the contest at Victoria Park, she finished with season highs in disposals (16), contested possessions (seven) and metres gained (251).
Picking up five marks too, Schleicher was rock solid yet again and continued her good start to the 2022 season.
GWS vs Western Bulldogs – Emily Pease
In only her third ever AFLW game, Emily Pease put together a terrific performance against the Bulldogs on Friday evening.
Up against a high intensity Dogs midfield, by the end of the night she finished with 15 disposals, seven contested possessions, four marks, plus three tackles.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt was a big second win of 2022 for GWS, with young Pease playing an underrated role in the first ever AFLW game at Henson Park.
Adelaide vs Melbourne – Maddison Gay
Often outshone in the midfield by the likes of Tyla Hanks, Karen Paxman and Eden Zanker, Gay constantly finds a way to put together consistently good performances for the Demons.
Despite the loss to red-hot Adelaide, she still was solid in midfield for Melbourne, finishing with 13 disposals, eight contested possessions, two clearances and a career high seven tackles.
Melbourne might’ve lost its first game of 2022 to the unstoppable Crows, but Gay still showed her potential at Norwood Oval.
Embed from Getty ImagesBrisbane vs Geelong – Chantel Emonson
She’s been a consistent performer both at Melbourne and to start her Geelong career, but last Saturday was one of Emonson’s best ever AFLW showings.
In hot and humid conditions up in Maroochydore, she worked hard off half back and the wing, finishing with career highs in disposals (15) and contested possessions (seven).
Also finishing with 243 metres gained plus the first goal of the game, Emonson was terrific despite a heartbreaking loss to the Lions.
Carlton vs North Melbourne – Ellie Gavalas
She’s started 2022 in good form, and against the Blues, Gavalas put together her best performance of the year to date.
Ash Riddell and Jenna Bruton might’ve been the stars on the day in midfield, but Gavalas still played a big role. In the end she finished with 18 disposals, 258 metres gained, three clearances, five contested possessions and three tackles.
It was a terrific performance out at Ikon Park for Gavalas, who looks set to play a big role this weekend down in her home state against the unbeaten Dockers, who will be missing reigning league best and fairest Kiara Bowers through suspension.
Gold Coast vs Richmond – Kate Surman
She’s shown plenty of upside in her three AFLW seasons so far, and it was another promising performance for Surman.
Coming off a good game in their win against West Coast, she showed off that spark and dynamic play she provides so well, finishing with 12 disposals, seven contested possessions, five tackles and a goal early in the fourth.
The Suns managed to pick up their second consecutive victory against the Tigers, and Surman played a quiet yet big role in their win.
Western Bulldogs vs Fremantle – Gabby O’Sullivan
It’s a second appearance in the underrated performers for Gabby O’Sullivan, who played terrifically yet again at Whitten Oval.
Coming off an 18-disposal and nine tackle performance against the Pies, she backed it up against the Bulldogs. By the full time whistle she had 13 tackles, eight tackles, four clearances and 303 metres gained.
Embed from Getty ImagesO’Sullivan has adjusted brilliantly to her new role on the inside, and she could play a big role for two danger games for the Dockers with Kiara Bowers’ potential suspension.
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