IF the multiple record breaking round four sets the tone for the rest of the season then we are in for another explosive round of footy this weekend.  At this point in the season we move into the round having a better idea of the sides who can win the premiership and just how crucial percentage can be.

With a 73-point win and Brooke Lochland’s seven goal haul when three of their forwards are out, the Bulldogs made it official. They have their paws in the door for a spot in the grand final.  As do the Brisbane Lions, after flying somewhat under the radar so far and seemingly sneaking into second spot on the ladder.  Brisbane will take their shared team effort to the Demons’ home ground where the Dees will be aiming to bring out their early round form and flow after a fruitless couple of weeks on the road. 

The Bulldogs take on the Pies who celebrated a well overdue win against Melbourne in the extreme heat having waited almost a year to sing the song.   

Round five on paper looks the most crucial this season, with each side still within reach of a top two spot on the ladder.  But that will all be over come Monday.  The ability to respond will be the difference this weekend. 

Melbourne v Brisbane Lions

Friday, March 2, 7.05pm ACDT at Casey Fields

The Brisbane Lions have showed they can adapt to whatever conditions may come, with their ability to play as a group and stick to their structures. They were triumphant over Melbourne in severe weather last time they met. After being on the road since round three the Dees are set to play at their home ground against the strong moving pride of the Lions and get some much needed relief from the extreme weather they’ve had to contend with. This is an opportunity for Melbourne to take back control of their final prospects, get the game on their terms and bring back the Demon style of football.  They will be looking to keep Jess Wuetschner under control and limit the effectiveness of Sabrina Frederick- Traub.

The Demons have named Eden Zanker, who will bring some great strength to the forward line with her excellent marking ability and good kick on goal. First gamer Claudia Whitfort also comes in, who has great speed and will likely be an excitement factor for the Dees. Lauren Pearce will be back in the ruck while defender Brooke Patterson also returns for Melbourne.  The backline will be without experienced defender Meg Downie after suffering a shoulder injury against the Pies. 

For the Brisbane Lions, Shannon Campbell is back into the side in defence replacing Emma Pittman, the only change from their round four side. 

Fremantle v GWS

Saturday, March 3, 2.05pm WST at Fremantle Oval

On the back of a painful draw against Adelaide, GWS desperately need a win to stay in touch with the competition ladder leaders. They will be keen to lay the memory of the 2017 draw with Fremantle to rest with both teams scoring 43 points a piece on that day.

Fremantle sits in fourth position and is in good contention for a top two position with impressive wins over Melbourne and Collingwood.  The Dockers will have to keep an eye out for star GWS recruit Alicia Eva to limit the amount of damage the midfielder can do. Eva has been dominant with ball in hand and the Fremantle midfield will need to have the ability to respond to her impressive form. Fremantle may look to the likes of Lisa Webb, Kara Donnellan and Dana Hooker to take up the task of stopping Eva. Fremantle has included ruck, Tayla McAuliffe along with forward Jade De Melo into the side.  Meanwhile, GWS has omitted midfielder Renee Forth and Pippa Smyth.

GWS’ Cora Staunton is a strong presence and an under-the-radar forward who has had eight scoring shots in 2018. Staunton has impressed in front of goal and has cemented her spot in the GWS line-up with her accuracy in front of goal and ability to take strong grabs.

For both sides, a loss will end any Grand Final hopes for the 2018 season. 

Adelaide v Carlton

Saturday, March 3, 6.40pm CDT at Norwood Oval

After a big loss to the Western Bulldogs, the Blues have made a heap of changes to this weeks line-up in hope to find some much needed form. In last year’s match against Adelaide, the Blues were competitive but fell away in the last quarter and no doubt realise this will be a great one to win if they bring their best to Norwood Oval, this Saturday.  The return of star forward Tayla Harris from her one week suspension may help to spark Carlton’s revival with her agility, accurate kicking and marking ability second to none. Harris is a true Blues’ game-changer and will be looking to get some early goals and momentum in the forward line.  Georgia Gee is a big factor too, she’s exciting to watch and back in the side this week for the clash in Adelaide. Katie Loynes is also in, the on-baller is hard to stop from playing her ‘tough’ style of footy.

After last weeks draw, the Crows have made some changes to the side with Rhianne Lugg and Sophie Armistead added to the midfield and Dayna Cox and Anne Hatchard in defence.  The Adelaide Crows are sitting seventh on the ladder on percentage below Fremantle and two points below Carlton.  The Crows are not out of the race just yet.  This is a must-win for both sides if they want to have a crack at making the grand final.

Collingwood v Western Bulldogs

Sunday, March 4, 2.35pm EDT at Ted Summerton Reserve

Both teams are coming off huge wins. Things went well for Collingwood in Alice Springs against Melbourne and if the momentum continues this will be a game of two in-form sides.  It makes sense that the same 21 Pies players are being named to travel to Moe for the clash against the ladder leaders with Kristy Stratton and Bree White on board.  Pies are on the bottom and have nothing to lose.  Last week their errors were low and Jasmine Garner and Christina Bernadi were pivotal.  Moana Hope was able to find some space and be a dominant figure for Collingwood in their forward. The Pies game plan seemed to fall into place with the fierce midfield pressure on the usual off-the-chain Melbourne midfield dynamic. The likes of experienced defender, Meg Hutchins, lead by example for the Pies scoring her first AFLW goal.

The Dogs launched an attack of their own against the Blues in round four.  They broke records with superstar Brooke Lochland slotting herself into the history books scoring a whopping seven goals for the game. The Western Bulldogs had a great day out, dominating across the ground and will be hard to beat coming off this form with the likes of Emma Kearney and Ellie Blackburn continuing to impress.  They’ve also included Emma Mackie and Deanna Berry up forward. 

A takeaway from round four is, anything is possible.