WITH THE 2022 season over, take a look back at some of the best moments from AFLW 6.0. 

Darcy Vescio notches their 50th goal

A moment etched in the history books.

After booting four goals on that fateful night back in the competition's inaugural match, it was fitting that Darcy Vescio would go on to win the race to 50 career goals.

With Erin Phillips (46 goals) and Tayla Harris (44) on their tail heading into the Game Changers’ Round 8 match against the GIANTS, Vescio’s landmark goal came in the third quarter of the 18-point victory.

“It’s a bit of a funny one. It’s one that has been built over many years and something I was made aware of coming into this season… I was aware that I was close, but if you start becoming really goal-focussed, usually the things you need to do to get the goals drop away,” Vescio said.

“The goals haven’t really flowed as easily this year so I’m happy to get there. I try to focus on process rather than outcome, but I was really happy to get the two and reach that milestone.”

A pioneer of the competition and a much-loved Game Changer, this moment is one we won’t soon be forgetting.

Mimi Hill returns

It’s good to have Mimi Hill back on a football field.

Round 5 marked Hill's first game in nearly a year following an ACL injury and the young gun returned in style, securing a NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination in her comeback match.

Hill received AFLCA Champion Player of the Year votes in each of the games she played and ranked No.1 at Carlton for average disposals and No.2 for metres gained, contested possessions and clearances. You'd be forgiven for thinking that nomination might just turn into Carlton’s second NAB AFLW Rising Star award, behind teammate Maddy Prespakis. 

Accolades aside, Hill's return has been testament to the work put in behind the scenes.

“It’s so great to be back out there and I didn’t even think about the knee once and felt great mentally," Hill said.

“My teammates have been amazing – just so supportive and I can’t thank them enough.”

Courtney Jones makes her debut

This one was worth the wait.

Three years in the making, there’s no question that Courtney Jones’ AFLW debut was well-earned.

From questioning whether she had what it took to compete at AFLW level to leading Carlton’s goalkicking by season's end, it was a meteoric rise for Jones.

With the target of solidifying her place within the side after her debut game, Jones did exactly that, missing just one match due to AFL Health and Safety Protocols and kicking eight goals along the way.

Her best performance came against reigning premier Brisbane, with Jones collecting three goals along with 15 disposals.

The coming of age of the Baby Blues

Carlton found some players this year.

Young up-and-coming talent rising to the top isn't a new phenomenon for the Blues, with household names in Georgia Gee, Prespakis and Hill solidifying their status as the best crop of young talent in the competition via their selection in the 2022 AFLW 22under22 squad.

However, the likes of Keeley Sheerar, Paige Trudgeon and Brooke Vickers made sure that their names had entered the conversation come season's end.

Sherar picked up a NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination for her outstanding performance in Round 4 against North Melbourne in which she recorded 19 disposals and four score involvements in just her second outing for the Game Changers.

Trudgeon was a revelation down back, taking on some of the biggest names in the competition without batting an eyelid in her debut year. 

Vickers will look to bounce back and return to the form of her Round 3 debut, which saw her solidify her spot in the Game Changers lineup as a versatile rebounding defender, before her season was cut all too short by injury.

With eight debutants blooded across the season, behind just Greater Western Sydney and Fremantle as the most new talent over the course of the campaign, the future is bright for the Game Changers.

Taking home the Prespakis Cup

When the AFLW fixture for 2022 was released, the Prespakis sisters lamented the fact that the opportunity to line up against one another would have to wait for another year.

The first of the League’s last-minute COVID reshuffles had other ideas.

The Blues set off down the highway and the ensuing contest did not disappoint.

Fresh off a NAB AFLW Rising Star nomination, Georgie Prespakis was one of her side’s best, finishing with 15 disposals and four clearances. However, a career-high tally for disposals for Maddy proved to be crucial in Carlton’s 14-point win – the first of their season.

“We’ve never done it before, so to live our dream playing AFLW and run out against her… it was the best experience ever,” Maddy said.

“I’m sure it’s a day we’ll never forget.”