The inaugural AFL New Zealand Women’s Heritage Team has been selected for 2021, showing the depth of involvement New Zealanders have in AFL at the highest level.
Jesse Wardlaw, Indy Tahau and Rheanne Lugg make the cut for the 2020 AFLW premiers.
Following on from AFL New Zealand’s introduction of the Men’s Heritage team in 2013 and the inception of AFLW in 2017, playing stocks within the AFLW competition have continued to grow to the extent where the Women’s Heritage Team can now be released for the first time.
The 2021 Heritage team boasts an exciting mix of established AFL stars such as Jasmine Garner from the North Melbourne Football Club, Brisbane Lions star Jesse Wardlaw, youthful talent as well as home grown New Zealand representatives.
To meet the criteria to be selected in the AFLNZ heritage team, each player must either have been born in New Zealand or have New Zealand parentage.
The 2021 team consists of 18 players currently playing regularly in the AFLW competition for their respective clubs.
Wardlaw has been named at the half-forward flank after kicking six goals from 11 games, while Lugg has been named in the defensive half and Tahau on the interchange.
