After so many standout performances by the QBE Sydney Swans Academy's Top End female players against the Giants last weekend, coaches Jared Crouch and Nick Davis had their work cut out picking teams for Round 2.
The Academy's Under 17 and Under 19 teams will be intent on back-to-back victories over GWS when they meet tomorrow at Ainslie Oval in Canberra.
"There will be some very unlucky girls who miss out playing this week,'' said Crouch, the Academy's head coach.
"It's tough on them, but as a coach it's a pleasing problem to have. With every side I coach I want players to force us to make tough decisions, and that's what we've had to do.''
Two sides of 24 players have been announced and teams are listed below. The matches will be live streamed, with the Under 17s starting at 11am and the U19s at 1:30pm.
WATCH UNDER 17s LIVE HERE 11AM
WATCH UNDER 19s LIVE HERE 1:30PM
Crouch said last week's performances, where both the Under 17s and Under 19s had strong wins over the Giants, had exceeded his expectations.
"The girls really showed what they could do. The ball movement improved as their nerves settled, and the physicality was impressive,'' he said.
"There was some great footy played and it showed there's a real passion for football in NSW.''
With the excitement of the historic first female Top End games out of the way, Crouch is looking for an improvement in the fundamentals.
"It's all about being clean with their disposal, not rushing and being aggressive at the ball.''
A number of players impressed last week including Under 19 forward Jessica Doyle from Sydney's northern beaches, who kicked four goals. Willow Smith was also a strong presence in the forward line, and midfielders Ruby Sargent-Wilson and Hannah Cerezo were busy and found plenty of the ball.
Cerezo, who's in Year 12, only started playing junior AFL two years ago when she tried it at her school in Sydney's north.
"It's a combination of every other sport out there,'' Cerezo said. "I love the fact you have to run, kick, handball and tackle. It's unique. And having to bounce the ball when you run is a new thing!''
Also a talented distance runner and steeplechaser, Cerezo has a combination of speed and endurance that has impressed Academy coaches. She enjoys playing in the midfield.
"I want to be everywhere,'' she said.
After tomorrow's game, the Under 19 Academy team has one more match this season, travelling to Geelong on March 13 to play a NAB League game against the Geelong Falcons.
The U19 AFLW National Championships will take place in April on the Gold Coast, with players from the Sydney Swans and Giants Academies coming together as part of a combined Allies team.
Round 2
Top End Series
Sydney Swans v GWS Giants
Saturday Feb 27
Ainslie Oval, Canberra
QBE Sydney Swans Academy teams and jumper numbers:
Under 17s (coached by Nick Davis)
#1 Hannah Woolf (Forest Lions)
#2 Jayda Kennedy (Cardiff Hawks)
#3 Sienna Reiners (Maroubra Saints)
#4 Nina van der Reyden (Balgowlah Suns)
#5 Poppy Johnston (Sawtell Saints)
#6 Asha Turner Funk (Newcastle City)
#7 Dakota Mason (Kiama Power)
#8 Clementine Hambour (East Sydney Bulldogs)
#9 Olivia Morris (Westbrook Bulldogs)
#10 Marnie Robinson (Sydney Swans Academy)
#11 Freya Taylor (Inner West Magpies)
#12 Mia Wilson (Killarney Vale Bombers)
#13 Peggy Enders (Terrigal Avoca Panthers)
#14 Lara Brennan (Maroubra Saints)
#15 Jayme Saggers (Pittwater Tigers)
#16 Ocean Pounsett (Forest Lions)
#17 London Ashcroft (Newcastle City)
#18 Phoebe Baptiste (Coffs Harbour Breakers)
#19 Nelita Sherrin-Bob (Maitland Saints)
#20 Lucy Forrest (Queenwood)
#21 Kendra Blattman (Southern Power)
#22 Arleaha Armstrong (Maroubra Saints)
#23 Hayley Hawkins (Cardiff Hawks)
#24 Eliza Schramm (Wyong Lake Magpies)
Under 19s (coached by Jared Crouch)
#1 Sarah Heptinstall (Southern Power)
#2 Danika Spamer (Cardiff Hawks)
#3 Kyla Tracey (Southern Power)
#4 Shania King (Woolgoolga Nthn Beaches Blues)
#5 Hannah Cerezo (St Ives)
#6 Ella Morris (Pennant Hills Demons)
#7 Jessica Doyle (Pittwater Tigers)
#8 Abbie Lewis (Macquarie University Warriors)
#9 Kahli Gilchrist (Manly Wolves)
#10 Ruby Sargent-Wilson (Southern Power)
#11 Jade Jarrett (Maroubra Saints)
#12 Alexandra Davison (UNSW Bulldogs)
#13 Roxy Beuzeville (Pittwater Tigers)
#14 Kiara Beesley (Southern Power)
#16 Eloise Petersen (Cardiff Hawks)
#18 Rani Sossai (Wollongong Lions)
#19 Maddy Hendrie (UNSW Bulldogs)
#20 Ella Heads (Inner West Magpies)
#21 Gabriella Stanwix (UTS Bats)
#22 Madeline Convery (Inner West Magpies)
#23 April Devine (Coffs Harbour Breakers)
#24 Summer Hall (Pymble Ladies College)
#25 Isadora McLeay (North Shore Bombers)
#26 Willow Smith (Newcastle City)
