Wimmera footballers step up

Female Wimmera footballers have shined on the big stage during the AFLW’S third season.

Ararat’s Georgia Clarke made her big-league debut for Geelong against reigning premier Western Bulldogs at the weekend, kicking a superb running goal during the third quarter.

The Cats lost the match 5.4 (34) to 2.4 (16), but Clarke was elated to play her first game at AFLW level after appearing for Geelong’s VFLW side last season.

Horsham’s Sophie Alexander also made her AFLW debut for Collingwood in round one against Geelong earlier this month.

Alexander experienced the highs and lows of football in a short span.

She kicked the opening goal of the match and the season after a strong mark inside 50, but was concussed in a marking contest during the third quarter when team-mate Sharni Layton inadvertently collided with her.

Collingwood went on to lose by one point, 3.6 (24) to 3.5 (23).

Collingwood’s season will continue with a match against Fremantle at the weekend, while Geelong will play Adelaide.