AFL has eyes on history-making Holmes

THE AFL has it eyes on star Waratahs forward Abbey Holmes ahead of her history-making goal quest in the NTFL women's competition this weekend.

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THE AFL has it eyes on star Waratahs forward Abbey Holmes ahead of her history-making goal quest in the NTFL women's competition this weekend.

Holmes needs two more majors against Tracy Village tomorrow to become the first player from an established women's league in the country to kick 100 goals in a single season.

The AFL's national female development manager, Jan Cooper, said Holmes' achievement makes a "very compelling case" for the 23-year-old to be drafted by Melbourne or the Western Bulldogs, which created women's teams for the first time last year.

"Abbey and her teammates should feel justifiably proud of this incredible milestone," she said. "Kicking 100 goals makes for a very compelling case for the AFL clubs to take notice of her.

"When AFLNT provide vision of her in action this will help her cause, too.

"It would be so exciting having an NT representative (at AFL level)."

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Holmes' 100-goal effort has even drawn praise from Territory legend Andrew McLeod and Sydney Swans champion Warwick Capper.

McLeod tweeted, "Good luck Abbey, crack that ton. #showingtheboyshowitsdone #awesomeeffort #territorytough," while Capper wrote, "good luck @abbeycholmes! i kicked 100 in red and white too. great effort! enjoy it -WizZ."

AFLNT will schedule a NTFL Women's All Stars clash in April and send footage to the two AFL clubs.

The inaugural national women's draft and AFL women's match was held last year between the Demons and Bulldogs in a one-off curtain-raiser at the MCG in June.

Territorian Bronwyn Davey, the older sister of former Demons star Aaron, was chosen by Melbourne last year from Greenacres in South Australia with pick No. 49 under the family rule.

Cooper said selectors were keen to cast the net far and wide with the long-term view of creating a fully-fledged AFL women's competition in future years.

"The selection process for 2014 will be much more rigorous and provides the best platform for players from other states to compete for places," she said.

"This year will see a minimum of 24 places up for selection so there is a real opportunity for the likes of Abbey and others in the Territory to aspire towards gaining a draft position."

Cindy Farinosi (Innaloo) in 1997 and Kelly Lutey (Carlisle) in 1992 unofficially surpassed 100 goals in the West Australian Women's Football League, prior to the competition using unmodified rules.

The league, which started with four teams and played 15-a-side on a modified oval over 14 rounds, was unable to locate its exact goal-kicking tallies on record.

Holmes

South Australian-born Holmes has broken several records in the NTFL competition since pulling on the boots for the first time in the 2012-13 season.

She kicked the most goals in a women's season last year with 67 - including nine in the Warriors's grand final win over St Marys - in her first full season of senior football.

Holmes also broke the record for most goals in a single game (12) in Round 1 before setting the bar even higher with 16 during a 202-0 mauling of Southern Districts in Round 6.

She has averaged 7.5 goals per game from her 13 matches this season.

Waratahs take on the Razorbacks at 12.15pm at Tracy Village Sports Club tomorrow.