Hawthorn coach Bec Goddard has hailed Jasmine Fleming as a star of the future after an eye-catching display on her AFLW debut for the club.
The 17-year-old daughter of cricket great Damien and niece of former Essendon captain Gary O'Donnell was one of a dozen first-gamers for the Hawks in Saturday night's 26-point defeat to the Bombers.
Fleming did not look out of place, showcasing her speed and foot skills with 11 disposals, seven contested possessions and three clearances.
"I thought she had a really good performance and looked quite dangerous early. In fact, it almost looked like she didn't have any defence on her," Goddard said of the Hawks' top draft pick.
"What a way to make a first impression and Jas will keep building.
"Gee, she's quick out of a stoppage, her kick is lovely and she's just going to keep getting better each week."
Another first-gamer to stand out was talented forward Sophie Locke, who had an emotional moment when she converted a free kick at the top of the goal square to give Hawthorn their first major.
Locke, who lost her mother to cancer earlier this month, kissed her black armband and pointed to the skies to mark the historic moment.
Goddard declared the 21-year-old Hawthorn's best forward on the night.
"She's a remarkable young person," Goddard said.
"She'd never played AFLW before and with the tragedy in her family over the last couple of weeks and the way that she's kept turning up, she's a real character of our footy team.
"She really wears her heart on her sleeve too, so it was great that we could get her a goal."
Goddard was thrilled with Hawthorn's competitiveness in the first three quarters against Essendon.
But she lamented mistakes made through inexperience in the final term, when they were kept scoreless as the Bombers pulled clear.
The Hawks take on St Kilda at Box Hill City Oval in round two.
