GWS Giants Academy member voted NSW’s best female Aussie rules player
The best female Aussie rules player in New South Wales has been crowned. Meet the GWS Giants Academy player who is destined to put herself on the AFLW radar.
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We put the call out to you to crown the best female Aussie rules player in the state, and you’ve delivered.
Cleo Buttifant of the Turvey Park Bulldogs has been named as the best in New South Wales.
It’s a remarkable achievement for Buttifant after switching to club football just two years ago.
Here were the top five in voting:
1. Cleo Buttifant (Turvey Park) - 18%
2. Eleanor Rugg (Pennant Hills) - 14%
3. Rani Sossai (Wollongong) - 12%
4. Tash McKay (Belconnen) - 9%
5. Tameka Chambers (Cardiff) - 8%
Buttifant played in the Coates Talent League with the Giants Academy this season as well as for the Allies at the AFLW U18s Championships.
She was also invited to participate in the AFLW Draft Combine at Homebush.
Turvey Park women’s coach Michael Ness said it’s a fitting reward for the talented 18-year-old.
“She played netball at the club and that’s how she came to play football,” Ness said.
“Cleo was always the first at training and last to leave. She’s juggled it with touch football.
“She can be very casual at training, but when it comes to game day she turns into a new person. It’s like she has a personal vendetta.
“We started her in the midfield before moving her to the backs. She dominated from there and nothing would get past her.
“She sets up all our forwards. I’ve never seen a woman tackle like Cleo.”
Ness said he sees real AFLW potential in Buttifant, believing she has the right set of abilities to make it in the big league.
“The Giants Aademy recognised she has a bit of talent,” he said.
“She plays Australian mixed touch and is not scared of the big stage at all. She would fit in (to the AFLW) like a glove, there would be no dramas.
“It would be massive for the club to have Cleo drafted. We had Harry Cunningham drafted to the Swans and to get Cleo through the women’s side would really put us on the map.”
See the players who were in the running for the title:
ELEANOR RUGG (PENNANT HILLS – SYDNEY)
Centre half-back/Full-back
The 31-year-old brings a wealth of leadership, skill, and footy smarts. Commanding and strong at the back, her communication is imperative to the team’s success. Possesses an outstanding kick, and in the coach’s opinion she reads the play better than anyone.
REBECCA IVES (PENNANT HILLS – SYDNEY)
Ruck/Full-forward
Physically imposing and tenacious, Rebecca loves to win the footy. Also a tall marking option, the 29-year-old often moves around the ground and is a handy option up forward.
ELIZA HARVEY (PENNANT HILLS – SYDNEY)
Half-forward flank/Centre
Still only 22, Eliza is an exceptionally underrated player with the ability to play anywhere around the ground. Quick and agile, she is a gun at running down opponents and forcing turnovers.
CAITLIN REID (EAST COAST EAGLES – SYDNEY)
Ruckman
Standing at 186cm, the giant ruckman is a dominant force in the competition. Her desperation and quick hands brings others into the game, and with a strong overhead mark she’s earned a train-on deal with the GWS Giants.
SUMMER HALL (EAST COAST EAGLES – SYDNEY)
Midfielder
Another Eagle on the GWS radar, Summer is a powerful midfielder whose game has gone to another level in 2023. Strong over the footy and with a wicked fend, her explosiveness can break a game open.
ANDREA RODITIS (MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES – SYDNEY)
Centre/Wing.
Small in stature but a giant on the field, “Dre” is the backbone of the Wolves and a massive inspiration on and off the park. Reads the game better than most and always has the ears of her teammates.
CAITLIN JOHNSON (MANLY WARRINGAH WOLVES – SYDNEY)
Half Back
One of the first players picked, “CJ” brings personality and style to the Wolves defence. Anticipates well and repels many raids to help springboard the team’s attack.
DANIKA SPAMER (UTS BATS – SYDNEY)
Centre
A true leader with a team first mentality, Dee operates a two-way street. In attack she’s a disposal beast with sublime passing skills, while on the hunt, she’s a punishing defender with no self-preservation.
GILLIAN BEHAN (UTS BATS – SYDNEY)
Centre Half Forward/Full Forward
A seasoned veteran, Gil is the Bats’ goal scoring machine and sits among the leading scorers in the competition. Reads the play better than most and is one to watch when the big games hang in the balance.
JAYDE HAMILTON (QUEANBEYAN TIGERS – ACT)
Midfield
A Tigers standout with high skill levels and stunning bursts of speed, the 21-year-old is the current captain and is showing the benefits from her time in the VFLW with North Melbourne.
JESSICA STRAMANDINOLI (QUEANBEYAN TIGERS – ACT)
Small forward/Midfield
The 25-year-old explosive tackling machine is a proven match winner with precision touch. A budding coach, Jessica’s experience with Carlton in the AFLW helps in her role as first grade assistant coach.
ZOE SKYRIANOS (AINSLIE TRICOLOURS – ACT)
Midfield
Zoe is big time in Canberra. A 100-gamer with a league best and fairest to her name, the veteran leader is still among the top disposal players in the competition. Taking on a coaching role this year has seen her thrive on and off the field, and alongside Allyson Flynn they continue to set Ainslie on the right path for equal opportunities in the women’s game.
BRONTE CARLIN (AINSLIE TRICOLOURS – ACT)
Midfield
The hard working former soccer star has made a seamless transition to footy and is currently one of the team’s leading goal scorers. With an innate sense for claiming possession, she is recognised as one of the best small forwards in the league.
ERIN NEEDHAM (GUNGAHLIN JETS – ACT)
Fullback
The Jets skipper leads from the back where her ability to read the play is second to none. An inspiration around the club, the committed No. 15 has been pivotal in helping the Gungahlin Women’s squad improve their results once again in 2023.
SAMANTHA RUBINO (GUNGAHLIN JETS – ACT)
Ruck Rover/Follower
No one goes harder at the footy than the Jets’ impressionable No.6. A tackling machine, Samantha thrives in traffic and her efforts continually open the way for forward entries.
TASH MCKAY (BELCONNEN MAGPIES – ACT)
Half back flank
Tash is a key defender known for locking down her opponents and setting the competitive standard for her teammates. The 22-year-old is a fierce competitor and brings intense pressure to force turnovers. Her pace and swerve enable a quick transition up the field.
ISLA WIENCKE (BELCONNEN MAGPIES – ACT)
Midfield
At 16, Isla is a contested ball winner and a strong tackler with strength and skill well beyond her age. Her ability to take intercept and pack marks makes her dangerous across the ground, and she regularly hits the scoreboard from the midfield and when rotating into the half-forward line.
ASH PATTON (TUGGERANONG VALLEY – ACT)
Midfield
Flagged as one of the brightest stars in the ACT and NSW, the 16-year-old silky midfielder showed her all-round class by representing the Allies as an underage player before jetting off to Canada to play for Australia in the Women’s Baseball World Cup qualifiers.
KIARNA WOOLLEY-BLAIN (TUGGERANONG VALLEY – ACT)
Half Back
A devastating Lisfranc break sustained in the GWS Giants Summer Series cruelled her 2022 season, but in 2023 Kiarna has returned to her dominating best. An elite competitor with strong hands and a penetrating kick, she’s one of the side’s top performers.
RANI SOSSAI (WOLLONGONG LIONS – SOUTH COAST)
Midfield
Best on ground in last year’s GF and carrying that form right through 2023. Unselfish and gritty work in midfield, breaking heaps of tackles and providing crucial blocks for her side.
LAUREN MYERS (WOLLONGONG LIONS – SOUTH COAST)
Defender
Has been a senior Lion since she was 15 and was named captain at the age of 20. She is a super reliable defender, has a battery that can let her run all day and is an intelligent user of the football.
TAZMIN FULCHER (WOLLONGONG LIONS – SOUTH COAST)
Ruckman
A third season at the Lions for Fulcher who has developed into arguably the best ruck in the competition. Gives the Lions’ midfielder first use of the footy more often than not and her follow-up work gives her side an extra midfielder.
MICHELLE FOSCARINI (WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS RED – SOUTH COAST)
Midfield/Half-forward flank
Her performances this season have been described by her coach as “of an AFLW standard”. She has great speed, a solid build and two-footed kicking ability that puts her in a league of her own in her competition. She has damaged many an opposition this season from the engine room.
MIKAYLA JONES (WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS RED – SOUTH COAST)
Centre-half forward
Has shone this season with a great set of hands and one of the best overhead marks in the competition. A smooth kick as well, she is the linchpin and the on-field leader.
KAT GOW (FIGTREE SAINTS – SOUTH COAST)
Fullback
The captain of the Saints with a ‘sixth sense’ as to where the ball is going to be. With a long and penetrating kick, great accuracy and a great overhead mark, she’s an invaluable hard worker for the Saints.
LILY MACDONALD (FIGTREE SAINTS – SOUTH COAST)
Midfield
MacDonald is a tough competitor who never shies away from the hardball and is always at the bottom of the pack competing. She is a solid tackler and moves around the field from back to forward lines with great speed and agility.
ANDY COLEMAN (WOLLONGONG LIONS RED – SOUTH COAST)
Ruckman
Enjoying her best year of footy, Coleman is making not only great strides in her personal game but is teaching the next generation in her free time as a junior coach within the club. Her work ethic is unquestionably a driving force within her team
LARA CLIFFORD (WOLLONGONG LIONS RED – SOUTH COAST)
Defender
Captaining the Lions side, Clifford’s actions on and off the park this year have been terrific. A born leader and an accomplished defender, she helps develop her teammates around her into better players and constantly pushes the envelope of what is possible.
SOPHIE RANKEN (TAMWORTH SWANS – NORTH WEST)
Midfield
A high-energy player with a crazy work rate. She is a natural ball winner that is a weapon at the stoppage, a polished user of the ball and a strong and constructive communicator. Sophie is a special kind of player who makes the players and team around her better.
ANISHAH BEASLEY (TAMWORTH SWANS – NORTH WEST)
Full forward
Can pinch hit in the ruck. She is a natural full forward, tall, strong on the lead with safe hands that are good over head. She has an exquisite set shot and a good range. Either forward or in the ruck she is a constant worker who reads the play very well and is brave in the contest.
LAUREN APPLEBY (TAMWORTH KANGAROOS – NORTH WEST)
Defender/centre half-back
Winner of the 2022 AFL North West NSW Rising Star Award, Lauren is a powerhouse in defence, often creating play with her speed, agility and ball skills as she drives from the back half through the midfield. A natural athlete in only her third year of playing AFL she has shown ample potential, recognised through her selection in the Sydney Swans Academy Girls U16-18 squad. Further exposure to elite settings will refine her raw talent, and set Lauren for an exciting future.
RUBY SPARK (TAMWORTH KANGAROOS – NORTH WEST)
Midfield
Winner of the 2022 Tamworth Kangaroos best and fairest Ruby is versatile midfielder, skilled at reading the play and positioning herself to best affect and win the contested ball. Her strong hands, speed and ball use make her lethal through the midfield and feeding into the attacking half. A member of the Sydney Swans Academy Girls U18 squad, Ruby has a bright footballing future ahead of her.
CLEO BUTTIFANT (TURVEY PARK BULLDOGS – SOUTHERN)
Defender
Cleo is a quick key defender who is a natural at reading the play, intercepting and taking the game on. She is a very talented footballer who can punish on the rebound. Cleo was the 2022 Turvey Park best and fairest. Cleo has also been playing in the Under 18’s Allied team and is tipped to be drafted this year. She has a big future ahead of her.
JESSICA WENDT (TURVEY PARK BULLDOGS – SOUTHERN)
Midfield
Isn’t afraid to get in there to get the footy for her team. She gets most of her football contested, also pushing up forward when she gets the chance. Jess is a consistent footballer who rarely has a bad game. Jess was Turvey Park’s 2023 best and fairest, and this year’s AFLW Rising Star recipient for the Southern NSW Womens League.
OLIVIA JOHNSTON (BATHURST GIANTS – CENTRAL WEST)
Key Forward
Made the switch from netball to Aussie rules after making the NSW state team. Has taken to a new sport like a duck to water, emerging as a key part of the Giants team as a powerhouse forward. Has an athletic prowess on the field, but is always working on her skills that have seen her develop a strong kick and have a massive impact on the game. Often leaves her opponents in awe with her abilities.
KATIE KENNEDY (BATHURST GIANTS – CENTRAL WEST)
Midfield
Recently brought up her 150th game with the club, growing in front of their eyes from an Auskick participant to club captain. Had to overcome the lack of female pathways during her teenage years, but returned without missing a beat. A source of inspiration for all players within the team. She controls the tempo of the game and is a tactical magician who can also find her name on the scoreboard.
KRISTEN COADY (DUBBO DEMONS – CENTRAL WEST)
Forward
Kristen joined the Demons for the 2021 season, although she was the oldest player on the team and hadn’t been involved in a tackle sport previously, she quickly took to the sport and looked like a natural and was named Rookie of the Year. This year she has come back from a compound leg fracture, kicking four goals in her return game and becoming a revelation in the forward line. Currently the second highest goalscorer in the comp.
BROOKE GARLAND (DUBBO DEMONS – CENTRAL WEST)
Utility
In her first year of AFL and is a tackling machine after only just learning before her first game. Played a range of positions this season and is one of the most coachable players on the team. She has been thrown in a range of positions this year, running hard marking and creating opportunities out on the wing or in the half forward line providing the team another great marking option up forward and a favourite for Rookie of the Year.
CHELSEA WALKER (TEMORA KANGAROOS – SOUTHERN)
Midfield
Chelsea is an inspirational on field leader and the modern archetype of a midfielder. Outstanding in contested ball situations, she is also a run and carry footballer who tackles with intent when required.
DARCIE MANNING (TEMORA KANGAROOS – SOUTHERN)
Forward/Midfield
Darcie is equally adept at winning the ball in midfield and converting in the forward line with deadly accuracy. Possessed with a high level of football IQ, her cleverness around goals makes her a dangerous proposition.
GAB MOONEY (INVERELL SAINTS – NORTH WEST)
Centre half-forward
Gab came to the Inverell Saints in 2019 and has been making her mark as a top player in the AFL North West ever since. She’s a versatile player fairing well in the best and fairest votes as well as highest goal kicker tally each season. She is becoming a valuable leader within the squad and loves to see the team continuously improve as well as the standard getting higher each week. She played an integral role in the Saints 2019 and 2022 premierships.
CARISSA BALDWIN (INVERELL SAINTS – NORTH WEST)
Midfield/forward
Growing up in Inverell, Carissa made the switch from touch and netball to AFL in 2018 and picked the game up very naturally. She is a speedy midfielder and an incredible mark in the forwards. Carissa has a powerful boot and is a spectacular goal kicker especially from long range. The dual premiership-winning player keeps getting better each year highlighted by taking out the clubs best and fairest award in 2022.
ELISHA GALLAGHER (COLLINGULLIE GLENFIELD PARK – SOUTHERN)
Rover/forward
Elisha is a natural leader. She is tough, fit and experienced. Kicks both sides of her body and is a ferocious tackler.
SIDONIE CARROLL (COLLINGULLIE GLENFIELD PARK – SOUTHERN)
Ruck rover/Centre-Half Back
Sidonie has a long kick and knows how to find the footy and use it. She sets herself up a kick behind play, reads the ball and has an excellent pair of hands overhead.
ASH FORBES (CENTRAL – BROKEN HILL)
Half forward
A talented forward who is strong overhead and has great foot skills. She creates multiple opportunities for her teammates with her strong leap, great set of hands and elite foot skills. She is a great target to hit in the forward line and a real standout in her division.
ASH ANDERSON (CENTRAL – BROKEN HILL)
Half back
A speedy defender who loves to run the ball coming out of half back. Her foot skills have developed immensely to now match her ball winning ability. Her work rate is her biggest asset as she will often follow her ball to then create inside 50’s but will also push hard to help and defend.
BRITT TANGEY (NORTH – BROKEN HILL)
Over a decade of AFL experience for Tangey in which she has played over 150 games, the first woman to do so for the club and only the second in the Broken Hill League. A determined footballer, she looks up to North Melbourne star Emma Kearney and is inspired by the way she plays hard at the ball and her leadership.
BEC DEER (NORTH – BROKEN HILL)
Picked up the league’s Best and Fairest award just two years into her AFL career, highlighting her fast rise to prominence in the Broken Hill region. A three time Team of the Year inclusion and a coach to younger girls at the club, she’s a real asset to North.
MEG DERWENT (BEGA – SAPPHIRE COAST)
Fullback
Derwent has her work cut out for her defending from the back in a team that hasn’t won all season, but she’s an absolute gun on track to be names Best and Fairest. Her capacity to frustrate any forward into missing the goal, her relentless defence, her huge boot and terrific leadership are all invaluable traits for the Bombers.
ALYSSA LOCKERBIE (BEGA – SAPPHIRE COAST)
Ruck rover
The youngest on her team at 17 but you wouldn’t know it with the way she plays the ruck rover role. Takes on anyone and doesn’t give the opposition an inch. With her height and power, she also has the added skills of being able to play anywhere on the field with style, showing impressive promise in the centre half forward position.
KATLYN SCOTT (BERMAGUI – SAPPHIRE COAST)
Midfield
‘Skater’ is the heart and soul of the Bermagui women's teams, both open and youth, bringing hardness, quality and respect to her sides. She’s a five time Best and Fairest recipient, a three time leading goal kicker and a former premiership winning captain. She also coaches the club’s inaugural youth girls side and coaches at the GWS Giants Academy.
ANGELITA HOCHKINS (BERMAGUI – SAPPHIRE COAST)
Halfback flank
The Breakers’ pocket rocket who is affectionately known as the ‘Baby-faced assassin’. The smallest on the team but the hardest player at the ball, she’s another coach and former premiership winner. Shows week in week out that it’s not about the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
BREANNAN WILLIAMS (TATHRA – SAPPHIRE COAST)
Centre half back
Captain of Tathra is the experienced Williams who continues to stand out every week and is a key defender in the Tathra backline. Strong hands, composed and a terrific leader on the paddock, well-respected and followed by her teammates.
CYMMON PARKER (TATHRA – SAPPHIRE COAST)
Midfielder
Part of the inaugural women’s squad from 2016, Parker is a powerful runner in midfield. Her ability to win the tough football inside and her skill on the outside allows her to consistently bring her teammates into the game. Also exhibits tremendous loyalty and commitment to the club that she’s volunteered as president at for five years.
KRISTEN KESSLER (KILLARNEY VALE BOMBERS – HUNTER CENTRAL COAST)
For a team that has gone through the regular season undefeated, the midfielder has been a huge part of that success.
“She has elite endurance and speed, and is a notable goal-kicker,” said coach Michael Smith. “She works hard in defence and has a very good disposal by foot.”
TAYA WHITE (KILLARNEY VALE BOMBERS – HUNTER CENTRAL COAST)
A real rising star, the 17-year-old Swans Academy product has not only represented the Swans’ under-18 team as a bottom-age player and played for the Woomeras Indigenous representative team, but also recently travelled to Ireland for the Oztag world cup.
“She’s absolutely an elite kick, an elite mark,” said Smith.
“She’s just a super talent. I feel she has the potential to be drafted in a year or two if she keeps up what she’s doing.”
SAVANNAH NEWTON (CARDIFF HAWKS – HUNTER CENTRAL COAST)
One of an excellent crop of young Hawks, the 15-year-old Swans Academy product actually required special dispensation from the league in order to play senior football.
Since making the step up to seniors halfway through the season, the small forward has been hugely impressive as Cardiff qualified for the finals.
“She’s deadset been one of the best players in the team,” said coach Grant Keeble.
“She trains that hard, crashes into people and makes it a physical contest. She uses her body really well for what she’s got.”
TAMEKA CHAMBERS (CARDIFF HAWKS – HUNTER CENTRAL COAST)
Just 16, the NSW schools’ representative is another to have made a real impression as a halfback flanker over the course of 2023.
“She has absolutely kills that position,” said Keeble. “She holds her position, has a great intercept mark, reads the play as it is coming down field and attacks straight from that.”
CHARLOTTE MAY (CARDIFF HAWKS – HUNTER CENTRAL COAST)
The third young Hawk to have made waves this year, the 16-year-old on-baller/midfielder has shown that she can mix it with the best.
“She’s just a deadset footballer. She understands it and can handle the physical stuff – she’s willing to dish it out as well as cop it,” said Keeble.
“And she’s a sponge: everything you talk to her about, she’ll go and implement it. She’s a pleasure to coach.”
GINA CARDILLO (NORTHERN BEACHES BLUES – NORTH COAST)
A two-time league best-and-fairest winner, the ruck-rover needs no introduction in north coast Australian rules circles and has once again been a major factor in the Blues qualifying for a second-straight grand final.
“Her aerobic capacity is massive, so she just gets to contest after contest, and her ability to win the ball in and under, bust out of the pack and send it forward is unrivalled within our league,” said captain-coach Alana Hanson.
“Sometimes I actually whether there’s two of her because she gets to that many contests.”
REBECCA ATKINSON (NORTHERN BEACHES BLUES – NORTH COAST)
In just her second year playing the game, Atkinson has been a revelation for the Blues in the ruck.
“She’s a boxer, so her endurance is elite and she has a good set of marking hands as well,” said Hanson. “She just gets in and covers a lot of ground during a game and attacks the footy.”
AMAIA WAIN (SAWTELL/TOORMINA SAINTS – NORTH COAST)
The 15-year-old might have only played five games for the senior women’s side this season due to age-based restrictions and Swans Academy commitments but she has certainly made an impact every time she’s taken to the field.
Playing on the wing to ease her into senior football, coach John O’Dwyer says Wain has been a standout for the Saints.
“I couldn’t keep her out of the play. She went in and did it all,” he said.
“My belief is that if she’d have played the full season she’d have won the best and fairest – as a 15-year-old.”
SHANIA KING (SAWTELL/TOORMINA SAINTS – NORTH COAST)
On the other wing for the Saints is 19-year-old “pint-sized rocket” Shania King, who was not only excellent with her on-field performances in 2023 but also stepped up in a leadership capacity after the team’s captain was sidelined with injury halfway through the season.
“She delivered ball into our forward line all year,” said O’Dwyer.
“She’s really good at reading the play, really good at defence and attack. She’s been marvellous for the team.”
ZOE CLARKE (SAWTELL/TOORMINA SAINTS – NORTH COAST)
Another young gun for the Sawtell side, the Swans Academy and North Coast Force representative player showed plenty of improvement over the season.
“She’s a good, hard midfielder who’s developed a lot over the season at getting the hard ball and getting the hand ball out,” said O’Dwyer.
PHOEBE BAPTISTE (COFFS BREAKERS - NORTH COAST)
Ruck/rover
Extremely dynamic player who is very quick and can lay a good tackle. A really strong kick of the footy that gets the ball into the forward line. Sits second on the goalscoring tally from the midfield and is a great leader.
ELOISE PETERSEN (COFFS BREAKERS - NORTH COAST)
Centre-half forward/midfield
Moved to the area from Newcastle due to work and slotted in well on the centre-half forward line. Has been an excellent addition to the team. A quality player who played a big role in helping the club to a flag. A strong mark and a good kick as well.
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