The Saints dominated the Eagles 9.18 (72) to 1.0 (6) at Apex Park in front of a big crowd with the Southern NSW competition expanding to seven teams this year.

Gun netballers Megan and Ruby Porter had strong games in their transition to football, with Megan kicking three goals and Ruby finishing among the votes for player of the year.

Four new teams have joined AFLW this year and Dowdle said local talent now has a visible elite pathway to work towards.

"The demand is there. It's got to start from the top in any industry and obviously the AFL has come in with a plan," Dowdle said.

"When I was doing some development coaching with GWS, they a growing industry you can put your foot in the door with coaching is with women.

"It's great we've got some handy people involved in developing these young ladies, which is really great.

"Both sides were having their first games for their clubs and there was maybe about eight girls who had played before.

"The amount of support we got to the ground was fantastic, we were blown away by the number of people there."

The Porters are just two of many talented netball players in the competition.

"I've seen them on the netball court and they're pretty fierce competitors," Dowdle said.

"Since they picked up the footy, and not just them but all the girls, they're absorbing all the information I'm giving to them and they're a pleasure to coach.

"Their traits from netball in terms of agility, speed and ability to explode from a standing start suits the game."

Saints player Jordie Barrett has the outright lead in player of the year voting after earning six votes.

Fellow newcomers East Wagga Kooringal will have to wait a week longer to make their competition debut after Griffith Swans forfeited their match.

In the weekend's other result Riverina Lions proved to strong for Brookdale Bluebells 7.5 (47) to 1.4 (10).

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