WITH round six just around the corner, some clubs have backed previous performers while others have opened opportunity for new young guns. In a major out for the Pies, captain, Stephanie Chiocci faces a two-week suspension following her front-on-collision with Bulldog, Libby Birch last week. Her consistent performances will be missed for the remainder of the home and away season, leaving Brittany Bonnici with big shoes to fill as she steps up as captain.

Collingwood has also made three other changes this week, including defender, Sophie Casey who will miss the rest of the season due to injury. In her place, Georgie Parker will debut in the black and white this weekend. Parker is an exciting prospect for the club and her history as a former Hockeyroo and Commonwealth Games medallist will make her a fascinating player to watch. On Saturday, the Pies will take on Brisbane who have also made numerous changes to its round six side. This includes the return of Rising Star nominee, Sophie Conway, who will bring great tenacity and skill to Brisbane’s side. University of Queensland recruit, Emma Pittman will also return for the Lions in her second game for the season.

For Friday night’s clash, Adelaide will be counting on a continuation of last week’s efforts against Carlton, as they present an unchanged team to face the formidable Fremantle outfit. Despite her injury scare last week, co-captain Erin Phillips has been named in the team to take on the Dockers. Meanwhile Fremantle has made two changes to their line-up, bringing in the Peel Thunderbirds junior, Tayla Bresland as well as midfielder, Tiah Haynes.

The Dogs have only made one change for their round six clash, reflective of their comfortable position at the top of the AFLW ladder, with former Melbourne player, Deanna Berry coming in for Laura Bailey. As a 2017 Rising Star nominee, Berry is a handy addition to ensure that the Bulldogs continue their success this season. However, the Giants seem confident going into round six against the ladder leaders, making no changes to their winning team.

Following a disappointing loss to Adelaide in round five, Carlton have made four changes in their conquest against Melbourne this Sunday. Unfortunately, both Lauren Arnell and Lauren Brazzale will be forced to watch from the sidelines after succumbing to injury. These two big outs don’t make this Sunday’s campaign against Melbourne any easier. However, in exciting news for Carlton fans, Tiahna Cochrane will make her debut. Cochrane was recruited from Bendigo Thunder in 2017 and has Blues blood in her veins with her Great Uncle, Trevor Keagh being a Blues Team of the Century member. This exciting, young prospect along with Jess Hosking, Laura Attard and Madeline Keryk will hopefully bring the Blues the fresh legs they need this weekend.

Friday, March 9

Adelaide v Fremantle at TIO Stadium, 7.05

ADELAIDE

B: S.Thompson 14, S.Allan 39, D.Cox 31
HB: C.Cramey 22, A.Hatchard 33, J.Sedunary 17
C:                    C.Randall 26
HF: D.Varnhagen 9, J.Hewett 20, A.Foley 3
F: R.Wallace 15, S.Perkins 28, J.McCormick 5
Foll: R.Metcalfe 11, E.Phillips 13, E.Marinoff 10
I/C: M.Rajcic 32, E.Jones 2, R.Lugg 45, J.Mules 23, S.Armitstead 16

Emerg: S.Riley 8, G.Bevan 4

No changes

FREMANTLE

B: A.Williams 9, E.Antonio 12, E.Gooch 8
HB: C.Davidson 33, S.Cain 20, D.Hooker 17
C:                   K.Donnellan 15
HF: L.Webb 16, A.Lavell 7, M.Caulfield 29
F: T.Bresland 5, S.Barr 10, G.O’Sullivan 22
Foll: A.Janz 30, A.Atkins 37, H.Miller 19
I/C: J.de Melo 28, T.Haynes 6, L.Filocamo 4, L.Mascall 14, T.McAuliffe 25

Emerg: B.Smith18,A.Sharp1

In: T.Bresland, T.Haynes
Out: B.Smith (omitted), E.McGuire (omitted)

Saturday, March 10

Brisbane v Collingwood at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex, 4.35

BRISBANE

B: B.Koenen 3, K.Lutkins 13, S.Campbell 20
HB: N.Exon 15, I.Ayre 2, L.Kaslar 11
C:                       E.Bates 1
HF: S.Conway 12, T.Randall 16, E.Zielke 8
F: J.Wuetschner 23, S.Frederick-Traub 14, K.Ashmore 10
Foll: S.Webb 4, J.Stanton 17, A.Anderson 18
I/C: B.Gibson 25, K.McCarthy 9, A.Clarke 21, E.Pittman 29, M.Hunt 6

Emerg: J.Zanchetta 7, G.Collingwood 28

In: S.Conway, E.Pittman, M.Hunt
Out: N.Hildebrand (injured), G.Collingwood (omitted), J.Zanchetta (omitted)

COLLINGWOOD

B: E.Grant 5, J.Duffin 27, A.Brazill 10
HB: C.Molloy 2, C.McIntosh 20, R.Schleicher 18
C:                    K.Stratton 41
HF: S.D’Arcy 4, J.Garner 43, C.Bernardi 6
F: M.Hutchins 25, M.Hope 23, C.Edwards 1
Foll: E.King 60, J.Lambert 13, B.Bonnici 8
I/C: G.Parker 19, T.Morgan 26, L.Tesoriero 7, A.Barden 38, M.Kuys 9

Emerg: H.Whitford 28, S.Dargan 46

In: A.Brazill, K.Stratton, G.Parker, T.Morgan
Out: I.Ross (injured), S.Chiocci (suspension), H.Whitford (omitted), S.Dargan (omitted)

Saturday, March 10

Greater Western Sydney v Western Bulldogs at UNSW Canberra Oval, 7.10

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

B: A.Farrugia 18, T.Hetherington 9, P.Monahan 28
HB: N.Barr 8, E.Swanson 17, M.Collier 14
C:                          A.Eva 2
HF: J.Dal Pos 7, P.McWilliams 3, E.Brush 10
F: J.Barclay 34, C.Staunton 13, R.Beeson 6
Foll: E.McKinnon 23, C.Gum 26, B.Tully 16
I/C: A.Schmidt 11, E.Bennetts 22, R.Tomkins 1, J.Hicks 5, P.Randall 21

Emerg: A.Saundry 4, M.Freckelton 20

No changes

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: H.Wildes 17, L.Birch 18, N.Callinan 10
HB: H.Scott 22, A.O’Connor 4, A.Gogos 36
C:                    E.Blackburn 2
HF: B.Lochland 1, L.Spark 11, M.Conti 8
F: J.Bruton 35, B.Toogood 28, K.Rennie 24
Foll: T.Ernst 19, E.Kearney 5, K.Lamb 27
I/C: K.McLeod 6, A.Utri 23, D.Berry 7, N.Ferres 16, E.Mackie 25

Emerg: B.Hunt 21, L.Bailey 13

In: D.Berry
Out: L.Bailey

Sunday, March 11

Carlton v Melbourne at Ikon Park, 4.35 AEDT

CARLTON

B: G.Pound 6, K.Gillespie-Jones 5, B.Kennedy 23
HB: M.Gay 8, D.Hardiman 31, T.Lucas-Rodd 18
C:                       J.Hosking 11
HF: N.Stevens 21, T.Harris 22, M.Keryk 4
F: K.Harrington 9, A.Downie 30, S.Hosking 10
Foll: B.Moody 16, S.Audley 26, D.Vescio 3
I/C: T.Cochrane 15, N.Plane 32, K.Loynes 2, S.Li 35, L.Attard 14, C.Gee 19, S.Last 7

In: J.Hosking, M.Keryk, T.Cochrane, N.Plane, L.Attard, S.Last
Out: R.Hicks (rested), L.Brazzale (injured), L.Arnell (injured), C.Webb (rested)

MELBOURNE

B: A.Guest 17, A.Teague 40, H.Cordner 21
HB: K.Paxman 4, M.Hickey 18, B.Patterson 24
C:                          E.O’Dea 5
HF: K.Hore 10, R.Cranston 30, L.Mithen 14
F: E.Zanker 29, T.Cunningham 1, S.Scott 12
Foll: L.Pearce 15, D.Pearce 6, K.Smith 13
I/C: M.Downie 2, L.Duryea 11, J.Grierson 19, C.Whitfort 20, A.Newman 16, C.Phillips 35, E.Humphries 3

In: M.Downie, L.Duryea, E.Humphries
Out: B.Jakobsson (injured)