The Inner Sanctum presents the Round 4 AFLW Team of the Week. (Photos: AFL)
The Inner Sanctum has put together a team of the week comprised of the best performing players from Round 4 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:
Sophie McDonald had the crucially important match-up on GWS goal-kicking superstar Cora Staunton. Not only did she lay a massive five tackles in the first term, but she kept the Irishwoman goalless after she’d scored five goals in the first three rounds as the Eagles soared to victory.
At the other end of the ground, Jodie Hicks showed just why the Giants were so keen to get her back in the side. She racked up a career-high 21 disposals, gaining 275 metres as a driving force out of the backline.
Eilish Sheerin did much of the same for Richmond in dismal conditions in Port Melbourne. Gaining an unthinkable 572 metres, she had 20 disposals off half back, and even took two shots at goal, kicking two points. With three selections in four rounds, expect the mature-age recruit to be in All-Australian contention.
Chelsea Biddell was a revelation in her switch to the backline last season, and has been in strong form across the first four rounds. With 18 disposals and three marks, she helped keep Collingwood to just two goals in a tough day.
In a day that didn’t go the Saints’ way, captain Hannah Priest stood up in a depleted backline. With 17 disposals, nine marks and three tackles, she played an important aerial role in the absence of Clara Fitzpatrick and Bec Ott.
Embed from Getty ImagesMidfielders:
Breann Moody earns another selection in our Team of the Week after having a day out against Fremantle. Competing valiantly in the draw, Moody finished with 31 hit-outs, 14 disposals, six marks, two tackles, a clearance, and a goal with a phenomenal snap out of the ruck to put her side up late.
At her feet, father/daughter selection Abbie McKay had a career-best game in the midfield. Her in and under work was rewarded with 29 disposals, 10 clearances and nine tackles in a fabulous performance for the 21-year-old.
Charlie Rowbottom did much of the same for Gold Coast in the win over St Kilda. At her hard-nosed best with near 100 per cent midfield time, the teenage sensation led her side to victory with 30 disposals, nine tackles and six clearances.
In her 50th game, Kirsty Lamb made sure to put on a show at Box Hill City Oval. Making sure no one forgot why she earned her maiden All-Australian selection last season, the hard-nosed midfielder collected 25 disposals, seven clearances, five tackles, and kicked a goal to cap it off.
On the wings, Kaitlyn Ashmore and Sophie Conway have both earned selection. Both wingers impacted the scoreboard with a goal apiece, but Ashmore also set herself apart with her pressure. After eight tackles last round, she laid another seven this week.
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Forwards:
Gold Coast’s Kalinda Howarth provided no shortage of highlights in Saturday’s win over St Kilda. Playing with the confidence and dare that made her so exciting to watch in her debut season, she kicked two goals of her own while setting up plenty of others with her 22 disposals.
At centre half forward, Narrm’s Kate Hore put her scoring woes behind her and was much more accurate at the perennially windy Casey Fields. While her side went down, she scored 2.1 along with 16 disposals and five tackles.
Rising Star selectors may have been hoping they held off one week to nominate Port Adelaide’s Hannah Ewings, after she stole the show in Port Adelaide’s first AFLW win. Kicking three goals along with her 19 disposals, 13 contested possessions, nine clearances and eight tackles, she helped the Power surge to a victory for the ages.
In a day where the goals didn’t come easy, Courtney Wakefield provided an important target in forward 50 for the Tigers midfielders, kicking two goals. After an injury-interrupted season six, she’s back in her best form, having kicked five goals in the past three games.
Irish recruit Vikki Wall had a break-out performance in just her fourth game in the AFLW. While she has become known for her tackling pressure, her finishing was on show in the win over Geelong, kicking two goals in a memorable evening.
Interchange:
Georgie Prespakis is far and away the best contested player in the competition in season seven, and went head-to-head with Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell on Friday. A career-high 32 disposals and 17 contested possessions alongside nine tackles and six clearances gave Cats fans plenty to love despite the loss.
Emma Swanson has been in astounding form to start season seven, and the captain played her part massively again in West Coast’s win over GWS. 23 disposals, nine clearances, nine tackles and a goal tells the stories of a brilliant day for the skipper.
Sabrina Frederick was given number one ruck duties against Adelaide after Alison Downie was left out of the team, and flourished. 19 hit-outs, five tackles and three marks – including a couple of goal-line saves – were an impressive return for the 51-gamer.
Monique Conti was well-held in the first quarter against Essendon, but from there, there was no stopping her. The midfield prodigy ran riot in the wet, finishing with 15 disposals, nine tackles, five clearances, and possibly one of the goals of the year.
Alongside Ewings, Abbey Dowrick ran the midfield in a brilliant win for the Power. 24 disposals, 14 tackles, three clearances and a goal, what more is there to say about this kid? Fans will be thrilled to watch the pair battle it out for Rising Star honours come season’s end.
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