There are plenty of big games in round eight with many teams competing for some much-needed wins. The Western Jets and Bendigo Pioneers will be looking to claim their second win of the season while the fight will continue at the top of the table with the Knights and Falcons going head-to-head.

CALDER CANNONS v. DANDENONG STINGRAYS?
Round 8 – Friday 4 May, 7.30pm
RAMS Arena, Craigieburn

The Cannons have only secured one win for the season but will be looking to claim their second victory against the eighth-placed Stingrays. Molly Warburton’s addition will help further boost Calder’s defence with the likes of Madison Prespakis and Laura Cocomello also named to take on Dandenong. Terira Fry will also line up for the Cannons and provide a great option up forward for her teammates.   

The Dandenong Stingrays came off a big win in round seven and will be looking to duplicate that form against the Cannons. With the likes of Isabella Shannon starring with two goals and Amie Carroll at her damaging best, the Stingrays will come into the match with some confidence, making for a hotly contested match.

EASTERN RANGES v. MURRAY BUSHRANGERS
Round 8 – Saturday 5 May, 11.30am
Warrawee Park, Oakleigh

With plenty of big games this round, the match-up between the Eastern Ranges and Murray Bushrangers will be one to watch. Both teams are relatively evenly poised, with the Ranges sitting on five wins and Bushrangers on three. Eastern have named key mid/ forward, Olivia Meagher who wins plenty of footy across the ground. The Ranges will be hoping co-captain, Emerson Woods has a big game, as her clean pick-ups and work around the stoppages are invaluable.

On the other hand, the Bushrangers will be looking to claim a big win over the Ranges but will have to do so without star midfielder, Rebecca Webster. Murray will bring in the likes of dynamic forward, Julia Harvey and Ada Chessor to try and keep their finals hopes alive.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS v. WESTERN JETS
Round 8 – Saturday 5 May, 1.00pm
Warrawee Park, Oakleigh

After a disappointing year the Western Jets will be wanting to claim their second victory for the 2018 season over the Oakleigh Chargers, but the Chargers have been boosted by the return of Alana Porter who offers great composure with ball in hand. Oakleigh came off a big loss last week and will be hoping to bounce back through the likes of classy midfielder, Emily Harley, ruck, Bridie Winbanks and forward, Isabella Gietzmann.

In hope to secure their first win since round five the Jets have brought in goal-kicking machine, Caitlin Greiser who was sorely missed last week. Greiser provides a good target up forward for Western while the battle in the midfield will be one to watch with Isabella Grant and Elisabeth Georgostathis coming off a solid game in the previous round.

GEELONG FALCONS v. NORTHERN KNIGHTS
Round 8 – Saturday 5 May, 1.15pm
St Mary’s Oval (Kardinia Park West Oval), Geelong

In a top-of-the-table clash the Geelong Falcons and Northern Knights will be looking to keep their undefeated record intact. It could easily shape up to be one of the best games of the round as both teams are littered with star players. The Falcons will be looking to make the most of their home ground advantage and put in a consistent four-quarter effort. With the return of star defender, Denby Taylor, Geelong will look to stop the Knights who are filled with scoring fire-power. After a strong performance last week, Nina Morrison and Sophie Walmsley will be looking to dominate once again in the midfield.

The Knights will welcome back sharp shooters Alyssa Bannan and Abigail Bennett who will look to apply plenty of scoreboard pressure on the Falcons and add to the potent forward line that saw Britney Gutknecht kick six majors last week. The return of Bannan and Bennett will help to boost Northern while the likes of midfielders Gabby Newton and captain Madeline Brancatisano will look to have big games to secure their eighth straight win.

SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS v. BENDIGO PIONEERS
Round 8 – Saturday 5 May, 1.15pm
Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham

Sandringham are coming off a 50-point victory against the Jets and will be looking to dominate once again both in front of goal and across the ground. Holly Bate nailed a whopping five goals and will be hoping to replicate that impressive form against the Pioneers. Nayely Borg and Chelsea Bowen have been named to help boost the Dragons down in defence. The Dragons have won the past four games and will be looking to make it five in a row and secure a spot in the top four.

On the other hand, the Bendigo Pioneers will be looking to claim a big upset and end the Dragons’ winning spree. The Pioneers have only managed to win one game for the season but have made a few changes to their line-up in hope to move up the ladder. Bendigo have brought in Tess Goodrem and will be relying on Kodi Jacques and Elizabeth Snell to stand up for them in the contest.

GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS v. GIPPSLAND POWER
Round 8 – Saturday 5 May, 3.00pm
Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham

The Rebels are coming off a hard-fought win against Murray and will be hoping that they can bring the same intensity and hunt for the footy again this week. Their forward line will be bolstered with the inclusions of Chloe Leonard and Ella Bibby, while they will be hoping that Sophie Van De Heuvel continues her red-hot form.

The Power suffered a narrow loss in round seven, going down by nine points, and will be seeking some redemption against Greater Western Victoria. Gippsland will be bolstered by the return of damaging small forward Nikia Webber who was sorely missed last week. Tyla Hanks and Jazz Ferguson starred in round seven with their impact around stoppages and ability to read the play. They will be looking to impose themselves on the contest once again to claim their fourth win for the season.