ROUND nine of the Victorian Football League (VFL) Women’s saw the gap at the top of the ladder widen, with Hawthorn, Collingwood and NT all notching up impressive wins over the weekend. On the other end of the table, Essendon was able to win its first game of the season against the Tigers at home.

NT smashed Geelong by 65 points in the Saturday twilight match and as a result has registered five players in this week’s best 22, which is the most a team has been represented this season. They had contributors all over the ground from Samantha Barnett in defence, Angela Foley in the midfield and Jessica Sedunary up forward. Contrarily, the Southern Saints did not manage to record a player in the best 22 this week after their loss against Casey.

Western Jets forward, Caitlin Greiser was really impressive, kicking three goals as the 23rd player for Melbourne University. She was not the only standout up forward this week with NT’s Jessica Sedunary and Jenna McCormick combining for seven goals in their side’s massive win against Geelong.

Nicole Hildebrand was unlucky to miss out this week with an impressive showing for Collingwood, recording two goals to her name. The ruck was a hard position to pick this week with three players putting their hands up for the role. The unlucky two were Nicole McMahon, who was instrumental in the Bulldogs’ 21-point win over Melbourne University, and Alice Edmonds, who dominated in the ruck against Essendon on Sunday.

It is a positive sign to see so many fresh faces in this week’s best 22. Richmond captain, Jessica Kennedy is one name that stands out of the pack in terms of new faces.