St Kilda's strong start to Season Seven has been recognised, with Clara Fitzpatrick, Kate Shierlaw and Tarni White named in womens.afl's Team of the Week for Round 1.
The trio were selected for their outstanding performances in the 29-point win over Sydney, gifting the Saints the highest representation of any side in the Team of the Week.
The first #AFLW Team of the Week, of the season, is IN❗️
— AFL Women's (@aflwomens) August 30, 2022
Check out who made the TOTW cut for Round One: https://t.co/NN9eesnCfE pic.twitter.com/h2UDW2IhDv
Returning Irish defender Fitzpatrick marked her first AFLW game in nearly two years in style, recording 11 disposals (82 per cent efficiency) and nine intercepts to keep the Swans at bay.
White (17 disposals, five clearances) was also a force defensively, laying a round-high 14 tackles to show why her teammates call her the 'Brick Wall'.
The 21-year-old, who produced a breakout Season Six to be named in the AFLPA's 22under22 side, set the tone for a strong contested game for the Saints, who had 27 more tackles than the Swans despite dominating the disposal count (195-155).
Shierlaw was rewarded for her dominance in attack, booting four goals to finish the round as the competition's leading goalkicker.
The former Blue had never kicked more than a single major in a match, but by half-time, had doubled that with two goals.
The Saints will look to continue their winning start to the season when they face another AFLW newcomer in Hawthorn from 4:10pm at Box Hill City Oval on Sunday.
