The Inner Sanctum's Team of the Week for Round 2. Design: Will Cuckson
The Inner Sanctum has put together a team of the week, comprised of the best performing players from Round 2 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:
Chelsea Biddell is one of the most important defenders in Adelaide’s defensive setup, and her performance on Saturday afternoon in the win over Richmond showed exactly why. Biddell was superb, picking up 20 disposals, eight rebound 50s, and six marks, saving Adelaide from conceding goals on many occasions.
Libby Birch stood tall for Melbourne as it found itself under siege a lot throughout the win against North Melbourne, particularly in the dying stages. Birch finished with 13 disposals, including 10 kicks, seven marks, and two tackles.
Breanna Koenen was a valuable performer for Brisbane in the big win over GWS on Sunday afternoon, collecting 14 disposals, five marks, and two rebound 50s. Bianca Jakobsson was everywhere for St. Kilda in the crushing win over Hawthorn, finishing with 21 disposals, eight rebound 50s, and six marks. Daisy D’Arcy was magnificent for Gold Coast, picking up 16 disposals, five tackles, and three rebound 50s.
More AFLW News:
The AFLW A-Z of Round Two: Who’s in terrific touch?
West Coast late surge not enough to fight off sizzling Suns
Lions leaders Grider and Koenen growing together at the helm
Midfielders
In the big win for the Western Bulldogs over Port Adelaide, the experience of Kirsty Lamb was on full display. Lamb gathered 18 disposals, five marks, and five tackles as her side picked up back-to-back victories. In what was a free-flowing contest, Richmond star midfielder Monique Conti put on a show with 26 disposals, seven tackles, and three inside 50s. It was a performance that would almost see Richmond over the line against the reigning premiers. North Melbourne superstar Ashleigh Riddell showed why she is one of the competition’s most influential players, racking up 26 disposals, eight tackles, and three inside 50s in the narrow loss to Melbourne.
In a game dominated by midfielders, Brisbane ruckman Tahlia Hickie gave her midfielders best service by winning 34 hitouts, 10 disposals, and four tackles. In all likelihood, Jasmine Garner is set to be one of the front runners for the Best and Fairest medal as the competition’s best player on the back of a brilliant performance against Melbourne. Garner would finish with 22 disposals, five tackles, and five inside 50s. Geelong superstar midfielder Amy McDonald continued her hot start to the season in the win over Fremantle, picking up 29 disposals, five tackles, and four inside 50s as Geelong cruised to the win.
Forwards
Emily Bates proved to the rest of the competition just why she is one of its best players with an outstanding performance in the crushing win over GWS. Bates would finish with 20 disposals, six tackles and two goals. Having joined Gold Coast under the AFL’s sign and trade policy, Courtney Jones showed Gold Coast fans why she was recruited by the club. Jones booted two majors and picked up 12 disposals and six tackles in the win over West Coast. Abbie Ballard lifted late for Adelaide with two crucial goals to give her side the win over Richmond. Ballard was rewarded with a Rising Star nomination for her efforts.
Carlton superstar Darcy Vescio was incredibly important for Carlton in its first win of the season against rivals Essendon. Vescio booted three majors from 11 disposals, with all goals coming at crucial times within the match. Caitlin Greiser was too much for the young Hawthorn defence to handle, booting three goals as well as amassing seven hitouts.
Interchange
Having crossed from Carlton in the most recent off-season, Essendon boom recruit Madison Prespakis has not skipped a beat, and this was evident in her performance against her old side on Sunday afternoon. Prespakis collected 21 disposals, six tackles, and four inside 50s in the narrow loss. Tilly Lucas-Rodd was excellent against her old side, despite the heavy defeat, gathering 21 disposals, including 17 kicks and 13 tackles. Ali Drennan was everywhere for Gold Coast in the crushing win over West Coast with 24 disposals, nine tackles, and a goal. In the thrashing win over Sydney, Collingwood forward Jordan Membrey proved to be the x-factor, booting two goals from nine disposals and five marks. Jaimee Lambert found plenty of the footy for Collingwood, picking up 20 disposals, five tackles, and five inside 50s.
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