TOP 7 PERFORMERS FROM ROUND ONE OF AON UNI 7S SERIES NATIONAL FINALS
Round 1 of the AON Uni 7s Series National Finals once again saw a host of Aussie 7s squad members return to their nominated university teams. Just months out from the Tokyo Olympics it's encouraging to see those girls firing. So there's no surprise to see our list of top 7 performers scattered with Aussie 7s contracted players. However, it's awesome to see 2 non-contracted players make our list with a host of local talent on show last weekend.
Here's our top 7 players from round one of Nationals.
Sariah Paki was a stand out in the last round of regionals for UTS and it was business as usual for the young Aussie hot stepper who was damaging on both sides of the ball. Wouldn't be surprised if her passport is already stamped for the Tokyo Games this coming July.
Another Aussie 7s contracted player who is pushing hard for Olympic squad selection is University of Newcastle's Maddison Higgins-Ashby who compliments players around her with her ability to read defences and make plays. A menace in attack and a rat bag in defence Ashby, like Paki, is an oppositions nightmare.
This next player has been one of the best in the World in both XVs and 7s for a long time. She is no doubt the reason why so many of these young talented girls coming through the ranks play the game and it's great to see her bully those same young girls on the weekend. Turning out for the eventual winners Bond University, Parry lead the way for her young pack doing all her talking with punishing defence.
Speaking of punishing, UTS enforcer Olivia White didn't hold back on the weekend in front of her home Souths Rebellettes' crowd. Liv didn't disappoint with hard hitting defence as well as some classy long range tries to give the crowd something to write home about.
After starting day one on a high the Griffith University team had a forgettable final day. However, their Aussie 7s allocated player Demi Hayes was close to the best player of the tournament on the weekend. A superior mix of speed, high work rate and ability to make plays, you can expect to see Demi running around in Tokyo in July.
Our player of the tournament from the weekend would have to go to Bond University's Evania Fa'aea Pelite. Another of the Aussie 7s squad members who put on an absolute master class. It didn't take long for Pelite to form a dangerous combination with her Bond teammates to lead the Bull Sharks to an undefeated run all weekend.
Returning to our top 7 list for a consecutive round is Bond University young flyer Maddison Levi. She's quick on her feet, loves a bit of contact and has one of the best strike rates scoring tries at will on that left flank for the Bull Sharks. Let's hope she doesn't run away back to the WAFL!!
Notable mentions to Maya Stewart, Sharni Williams, Kaitlin Shave, Isla Norman-Bell, Margot Vella, Teagan Levi, Faythe Manera and of course Jesse Southwell who also stood out for us in Round 1 of the AON Uni 7s Series National Finals.
National Round 2: May 15-16