The Inner Sanctum has selected a Team of the Week for Round 10 of the AFLW season. (Photos: AFL; Design: Will Cuckson)
The Inner Sanctum has put together a team of the week comprised of the best performing players from Round 10 of AFLW season seven.
Defenders are rewarded for defensive play, midfielders receive accolades for their dominance, while forwards receive a shout-out for hitting the scoreboard and applying pressure.
You can read last week’s team here.
The team selected is…
Defenders:
In her second game on return from injury, Rebecca Miller was a force to be reckoned with out of defence. The full-back had 16 disposals and nine rebound 50s in Richmond’s thrilling draw with North Melbourne.
Libby Birch locked down the Eagles forwards, as the Demons didn’t allow them to kick a single goal. The defensive veteran finished with 17 disposals and five marks in a brilliant showing.
Embed from Getty ImagesNat Grider has had a fantastic season as both a rebounder and interceptor, and looks set to earn another All-Australian selection. The re-addition of Kate Lutkins in the second half of the season has freed her up even more, which she showed against the Magpies as she finished with 13 disposals, six marks and three tackles.
Chelsea Biddell is another that’s looking hard to beat for All-Australian selection in the backline. She had 14 disposals, six marks and six rebound 50s, while also spending a fair chunk of time rotating onto the goalless Caitlin Greiser.
Laura Pugh has had a brilliant end to the season off the half-back flank, helping Fremantle pick up a couple of late wins. The rebounder had 18 disposals, five tackles and four marks in the thrilling win over Hawthorn.
Midfielders:
Alice Edmonds is making her own case known for a first-time All-Australian selection, despite a strong group of rucks. She’s leading the competition in hit-outs to advantage, and won the battle against Breann Moody and Jess Good on Friday with 28 hit-outs, 10 disposals and eight tackles.
Could Kiara Bowers be making a late surge for the league best and fairest? She registered another crazy stat-line as she went head-to-head with Hawks captain Tilly Lucas-Rodd, picking up a massive 34 disposals, 22 tackles and eight clearances.
Ellie Blackburn not only secured the Bulldogs a top eight spot, but was the best player for her side on Friday. 23 disposals, nine clearances, seven tackles and two goals – including the match-winner – was a brilliant night for the ever-courageous skipper.
Amy McDonald bullied the young Swans midfield, and had the statistics to show for it. Her in and under work was brilliant as always, with 34 disposals, 11 clearances and four tackles, but she also added a goal for the first time since Round 7, 2021.
You wouldn’t even know Ebony Antonio had been injured for the majority of the season, as she’s come back with a bang in her two games. The ever-reliable winger had 21 disposals and five marks to send wife Kara off in style, after the latter announced her retirement.
Mikayla Bowen has enjoyed a strong season since making the move to the Cattery, and has enjoyed her time on the wing alongside Rebecca Webster. She finished with 20 disposals and five marks in a strong day out.
Forwards:
Chloe Scheer absolutely terrorised the Swans defenders on Saturday, concluding her brilliant second half of the home and away season. She comes into the finals with some brilliant momentum, kicking four goals from her 10 disposals.
Georgie Garnett has been lighting the competition on fire in the second half of the season, and has earned her third selection in the Team of the Week. In the Giants’ final game of the season, she had 14 disposals, seven marks and three goals to finish as the competition’s marks leader.
Kate Hore is another player carrying her brilliant form into finals, with 16 disposals, nine tackles, five marks and two goals. Her forward pressure has been a stand-out this season, and added an extra layer to Melbourne’s forward mix.
Aine Tighe had a career-best outing against Hawthorn, dominating the air inside the forward 50. 14 disposals, six marks, and a bag of four goals was a brilliant day for the luckless Irish cross-coder, who’s finally had consistency and freedom from injury in 2022.
Courtney Hodder was buzzing around everywhere in Brisbane’s forward line against Collingwood, hitting the scoreboard and adding massive pressure. She finished with 12 disposals, nine tackles and two goals to help her side lock in top spot.
Interchange:
Ebony Marinoff had one last big day out before finals, finishing her game against St Kilda with 29 disposals, nine tackles, nine clearances and three marks.
Claudia Gunjaca has been a criminally underrated cog of the Cats’ backline, and was brilliant against the Swans with nine disposals and six marks.
Danielle Ponter provided the spark the Crows needed in a dour day for their forward line, kicking two goals along with her 12 disposals and five marks. She also helped in stoppages with four clearances.
Breann Moody has been selected as our back-up ruck option, after a brilliant battle against Alice Edmonds and twin sister Celine Moody. She had 20 hit-outs along with 12 disposals and five clearances.
Olivia Purcell‘s rise has been remarkable to watch this season, and she solidified her campaign with 21 disposals, five clearances and a goal against West Coast.
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