THE VERY BEST FROM THE SEASON THAT WAS - ALL IN THE ONE TEAM
Photo: The Rushed Behind
With the W Awards set to kick off tonight, we at The Rushed Behind thought we'd do something just as special (but not quite as glamorous) to celebrate the end of a captivating and stunning AFLW season, which has once again passed us by in the blink of an eye.
After so many players performed incredibly during the 28 matches of the AFLW season, it's hard to single out one player to take out the AFLW's most prestigious individual honour - we'll leave that decision in the hands of the umpires.
So instead, we've selected what we believe are the best players of this year's season, all in order to form the 2018 AFLW Team of the Year!
Do note our team is set up as a full side which would take to the field in a regular game of the AFLW, not the 5-6-5 All-Australian team line-up.
As always, there will inevitably be some big names who didn't quite make the cut, but with so much talent from the season, there's bound to be some notable omissions.
To celebrate the successful second season of the AFLW, here is our 2018 Team of the Year!
BACKS
CHLOE MOLLOY, COLLINGWOOD
Brooke Varney
Basketball convert and No. 3 draft pick Chloe Molloy definitely had some big expectations as she traded out her round ball for an oval one.
Not only did she meet them, but smashed them.
Arriving at Collingwood as a forward, Molloy played her season primarily in defence and and was named best-on-ground in her AFLW debut, making it hard to believe she was playing out of position.
Named as the AFLW's best first-year player, Molloy also goes into tonight’s Rising Star awards as hot favourite.
CHELSEA RANDALL, ADELAIDE
Zac Standish
The integral piece which held Adelaide’s backline together, co-captain Chelsea Randall had a sublime season as she took her game to another level.
Renowned for her bravery around the contest and excellent ball skills, Randall set up the majority of Adelaide’s play from the back half, with opposition teams unable to contain the run she generated.
With an average of 16.3 disposals in 2018, it was a season to savour for Randall, with her well-rounded season catapulting her into the competition's elite.
EBONY ANTONIO, FREMANTLE
Chris Nice
The linchpin of the Fremantle defence, Ebony Antonio showed she was more than capable of playing at both ends of the ground during the season.
With an impressive running capacity on her side, Antonio effortlessly floated from end-to-end to prevent opposition majors and kick goals of her own – two of which were crucial to the Dockers’ narrow victories over Melbourne and Carlton.
Somewhat overshadowed by the midfield presence of Dana Hooker and Kara Donnellan, the threat Antonio’s versatility posed was essential to Fremantle’s success, albeit it being limited.
EBONY MARINOFF, ADELAIDE
Brooke Varney
Despite battling a few small injuries (most of which were the result of heroic acts on the field), Ebony Marinoff never let that faze her or her performance.
Putting her body on the line in every game she played, Marinoff was a testament to the hardness and determination of the game.
Most notably this season, the 20-year-old broke the record for most tackles in a game (21), for both men’s and women’s footy.
KATE LUTKINS, BRISBANE
Zac Standish
Arguably best on ground in last Saturday’s AFLW Grand Final, Katie Lutkins had a very consistent year down back for the Lions in 2018.
Renowned for her intercepting abilities, Lutkins played a key role for the Lions as they returned to the AFLW Grand Final for a second time, albeit suffering another heartbreak.
Standing at 176cm, Lutkins cemented herself as one of the competition's best defenders in 2018 with her height, skills and athleticism causing headaches for opposition forwards.
CHRISTINA BERNARDI, COLLINGWOOD
Zac Standish
Forward-turned-defender Christina Bernadi enjoyed a breakout year in 2018, with her speed and skills off half-back playing a pivotal role in the Magpies' late season revival.
The star of the Collingwood side in 2018, Bernardi showed her skills at both ends of the field as she managed to shut down opposition forwards as well as hit the scoreboard.
One of the rising stars of the competition, Bernardi will play an integral role in the future of the promising Collingwood side, as they look to rise up the ladder in 2019.
FOLLOWERS
SABRINA FREDERICK-TRAUB, BRISBANE
Zac Standish
One of the competition's marquee players, Brisbane powerhouse Sabrina Frederick-Traub was a force to be reckoned with throughout the 2018 AFLW season.
Ranked as the best contested mark in the league (with a game-high 10 marks in round one), Frederick-Traub caused migraines for opposition defenders as she constantly got involved in play up the ground and posed a dangerous threat deep in attack.
Kicking eight goals this season as well as starring in the ruck on occasion, Frederick-Traub is one of the exciting and elite players of the AFLW who single-handedly brings fans through the gate, week after week.
ELLIE BLACKBURN, WESTERN BULLDOGS
Chris Nice
With skipper Katie Brennan missing three weeks of the season through injury, Ellie Blackburn took over the mantle of Bulldogs’ leader and subsequently continued her sensational form, despite the added pressure.
Along with her partner-in-crime, Emma Kearney, the Doggie duo in the midfield were close to unstoppable.
Though small in stature at a height of 165cm, never underestimate the aggression of the little master, whose immense tackling pressure (at an average of five per game) paved the way for the Bulldog aggression which ultimately won them the Grand Final.
COURTNEY GUM, GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Brooke Varney
Voted as the best AFLW player for 2018, there’s no denying Courtney Gum’s debut season was spectacular to say the least.
While her best performance was seen against the Dogs in round six, where she notched up 23 disposals and 17 kicks, her impact was felt in all of the seven matches she played.
What's most incredible however, is all these feats have been attained by the Giant at the age of 36.
Respect your elders, everyone.
DAISY PEARCE, MELBOURNE
Brooke Varney
The Melbourne captain never disappoints.
Arguably the face of AFLW, Daisy Pearce has starred since the competition began last year and hasn't faltered since.
Shining both on field and off field, her natural-born leadership skills saw her named Best Captain at the AFLW MVP awards for the second year in a row.
Put simply, no AFLW team of the year would be complete without her.
FORWARDS
EMMA ZIELKE, BRISBANE
Zac Standish
It was another solid season for Brisbane captain Emma Zielke as she led her side to a second successive Grand Final appearance.
Renowned for her bull-like attack on the ball as well as her polished skills, Zielke proved to be one of the most consistent midfielders in the AFLW and a pivotal part to the success of her team.
Although the Lions fell short again in 2018, with Zielke at the helm, things are looking promising for this Brisbane side going into the future.
TAYLA HARRIS, CARLTON
Zac Standish
The lone shining light in a dismal year for Carlton, ex-Lion Tayla Harris enjoyed an excellent start to her career as a Blue in 2018.
The big centre half-forward was at her imposing best throughout the season, often creating moments of magic for her team with her contested marks both inside 50 and up the ground.
Putting through a respectable five goals for the season and setting up numerous opportunities for teammates through her marking ability, Harris proved her worth as one of the competition's marquee players and will be a force to be reckoned with in years to come.
JESS WUETSCHNER, BRISBANE
Chris Nice
The small forwards dominated the AFLW this year, and none did it better than Brisbane live-wire, Jess Wuetschner.
Although one major shy of levelling with Brooke Lochland’s season-high 12 goals, Wuetschner was exceptionally dangerous in the Lions’ attack, being kept goalless in only one game.
While not a high accumulator of possessions, Wuetschner’s grit and ferocity around stoppages - particularly in the offensive half of the ground - were just as important to the Lions’ success as her dynamic scoring ability.
ELISE O'DEA, MELBOURNE
Zac Standish
A bright spark up forward for the Demons this season, Elise O’Dea backed up her 2017 campaign with another superb season.
Alongside the likes of Tegan Cunningham, Aliesha Newman and Richelle Cranston in Melbourne’s star-studded forward line, O’Dea gave the team a touch of class and poise inside the forward 50.
O’Dea would also have her bursts through the middle of the ground, giving the team an extra dimension at stoppages as she managed to constantly pick up crucial possessions - a trait which will be of utmost importance for the Dees moving forward.
ERIN PHILLIPS, ADELAIDE
Zac Standish
Although injuries dominated the 2017 MVP’s second AFLW campaign, Erin Phillips still showed enough of her class this season to warrant selection in the Team of the Year.
Coming off one of the most dominant football seasons of all time, Phillips performed admirably all year in a new role up forward, despite quad complaints limiting her athletic capacity.
Phillips kicked seven goals for the season - including a four-goal haul in her comeback game - providing Adelaide with a dominant presence up forward, despite her hampered fitness.
BROOKE LOCHLAND, WESTERN BULLDOGS
Chris Nice
Injuries sustained to key forwards Katie Brennan and Isabel Huntington early in the season forced the Bulldogs to adopt a small and pacey attack.
Brooke Lochland turned out to be the perfect candidate, bursting onto the scene with a record 7.3 against Carlton in round four.
While it’s easy to place Lochland in the team for this game alone, the small forward had a stellar season with her harrying presence and 12 goals, enabling her to take out the AFLW goalkicking award for 2018.
INTERCHANGE
KAREN PAXMAN, MELBOURNE
Brooke Varney
While most of the attention goes to her slightly-more-famous captain, Melbourne vice-captain Karen Paxman is one whose running capacity and aggressiveness is often ignored by oppositions.
Her versatility and skill level is hard to beat, which also saw her continually ranked among the best AFLW players in the league this year, including voted as the second-best player by her peers.
With Daisy Pearce, Elise O'Dea and Paxman set to run rampant again come 2019, opposition sides had better watch out.
EMMA KEARNEY, WESTERN BULLDOGS
Chris Nice
Like her counterpart, Emma Kearney, the stalwart midfielder in Ellie Blackburn dominated the centre of the ground.
Racking up four games with over 20 disposals, with a best of 26 touches against Carlton, Blackburn proved to be more than a handful for her opposition sides who struggled to stifle her influence around the ground.
When paired with Blackburn, the duo were a force virtually unchallenged, who in all seven matches combined to accumulate 30 possessions or more between them.
ALLY ANDERSON, BRISBANE
Chris Nice
Another vital cog in the well-oiled Brisbane machine, Ally Anderson was often the player to kickstart Brisbane’s fluid transition into their attacking half.
Often lingering on the half-back line, the 21-year-old’s natural ability to read the play and take intercept marks were nothing short of instrumental to Brisbane’s successful home and away season.
A stellar second year for the youngster has undoubtedly shown not only her importance to the Lions, but the sign of bigger things to come.
ALICIA EVA, GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Brooke Varney
Former Magpie-turned-Giant Alicia Eva started the 2018 season just as she had finished the 2017 season; in great form.
The switch of cities was a concern at the start, but the midfielder adapted well and showed no signs of a struggle.
Landing 13 tackles in round one and averaging seven for the season, the defensive skills she brought over were of huge benefit to the Giants.
MONIQUE CONTI, WESTERN BULLDOGS
Brooke Varney
No stranger to professional sport, Monique Conti juggled her Melbourne Boomers commitments with footy, and finished not only by winning the AFLW premiership with the Bulldogs, but also the honour of being named best on ground in the Grand Final.
Playing every game across the season and averaging 14 disposals, her speed and hunger for the footy even landed her a spot in the AFLW All-Australian squad.
Not bad for a 19-year old.
EMERGENCIES
DANA HOOKER, FREMANTLE
Chris Nice
In a fluctuating season for Fremantle, Dana Hooker remained a consistent contributor.
The 27-year-old wouldn’t let her side’s patchy form dictate her style of play, ending her year with a notable average of 18 touches per game and a personal best of 25 disposals against the wooden spooners, Carlton.
With another solid season under her belt, Hooker, along with skipper Kara Donnellan, will be the cornerstone of Fremantle’s hopeful resurgence come 2019.
AISLING UTRI, WESTERN BULLDOGS
Brooke Varney
Former VIS Hockey player Aisling ‘Ash’ Utri was another surprise draftee this season.
Fitting herself into the injury-riddled Bulldogs' side perfectly, Utri’s pace and hardness saw her elevated from the rookie list to the senior list in no time at all.
The youngster was also nominated for the AFLW Rising Star award after an 18-disposal and 71 per cent disposal efficiency rating performance against Carlton.
Chloe Molloy might have some competition.
KARA DONNELLAN, FREMANTLE
Chris Nice
As skipper of the Dockers, Kara Donnellan featured as one of the few shining lights for Fremantle’s inconsistent 3-4 season.
A constant thorn in the side of her opposition, Donnellan’s persistence and 54 tackles for the year proved to be the aggression Fremantle as a collective were so desperately missing.
Although sitting at a 55 per cent disposal efficiency, Donnellan’s on-field presence and leadership were nonetheless vital to her side.
EMILY BATES, BRISBANE
Chris Nice
The Brisbane midfield have boasted incredible young talent for the past two years, but Emily Bates seems to be a cut above the rest.
Improving upon her breakout debut season, Bates’ efforts in the midfield saw her earn an average of 17 disposals a game by the year's end.
Often the one to feed the ball into the forward line, Bates will be again crucial to the Lions as they endeavour to take out the premiership title after two successive Grand Final defeats.
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