AFLW DRAFT HOPEFUL BAIRD SHINES AS TEAM PONTER PREVAILS

TEAM Ponter dominated proceedings in the Northern Territory edition of the NAB AFLW All-Stars women’s match at TIO Stadium in Darwin, defeating Team Hewett by 28 points.

Led by NAB AFLW Draft hopeful Janet Baird, Western Bulldogs VFLW captain Mickayla Ward and Arnhem Crows livewire forward Ashanti Bush, Team Ponter led from siren to siren in the 5.11 (41) to 2.1 (13) win.

Baird, who was a member of the 2018 NAB AFLW Academy, did her chances of selection no harm with a typically composed performance.

She was found all over the ground, taking intercept marks across defensive 50 and opening the scoring with a steady running goal. Ward – sister of GWS star Callan – played at both ends of the ground and her steadiness shone through.

While the team’s nameholder, Danielle Ponter, was unavailable due to rugby league commitments with Sistaz in yesterday’s women’s NRL NT Grand Final against Palmerston, Bush’s gliding run and agility more than filled the breach with a stunning third term, kicking 1.3.

Dominique Carbone, 19, was powerful coming out of defence, rebounding well and proving difficult to bring down.

NAB AFLW Draft Combine invitee Freda Puruntatameri – who has also played for Essendon’s VFLW side – was a strong presence at both ends of the ground for Team Hewett, clean below her knees and making good decisions.

Gold Coast’s Jasmyn Hewett was dominant in the ruck, while Morgan Johnston and Georgia Johnson showed some clean skills under enormous pressure in defence.

Johnston had been training with Collingwood’s VFLW side before the cancellation of the season and was one of her side’s best.

Brodie Lake, Nathaniel Cooper, Jack Peris and Joel Jeffrey (four goals) stood out for Team Rioli in its 11.13 (79) to 7.17 (59) win over Team McLean in the men’s game. Jesiah Minor impressed with three goals for Team McLean, including one from 55m out.