ROUND nine marks the last game of the home and away season, making the fight for a spot in the top two hotly contested. With the Geelong Falcons securing their spot in the grand final, it is left to the Northern Knights and Sandringham Dragons to fight for second spot on the ladder. Down the other end of the table, the Jets, Cannons and Pioneers will be wanting to claim their second win of the year and end the season on a high.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS v. MURRAY BUSHRANGERS

Round 9 – Saturday 12 May, 11.15am

RAMS Arena, Craigieburn

The Knights suffered their first loss of the year and will be looking to get back into the winning books with a dominant display against the out-of-form Bushrangers. Northern will be desperate to secure their spot in the grand final and will be relying on the likes of their star players such as Maddy Brancatisano, Gabby Newton and goal-kicking machine, Alyssa Bannan to get them over the line on Saturday.  

After only managing to score a point for the whole match in their round eight clash, the Murray Bushrangers will be looking to bounce back and put on an impressive performance against the Knights. Though both teams are filled with plenty of firepower in the midfield, Murray will be boosted with the return of AFLW Academy player, Rebecca Webster, who provides plenty of run and carry through the midfield. Claudia McKimmie and Olivia Barber will also make their way back into the Bushrangers side in hope of winning their fourth game for the year.

GREATER WESTERN VICTORIA REBELS v. OAKLEIGH CHARGERS

 Round 9- Saturday 12 May, 11.15am

RAMS Arena, Craigieburn

The Greater Western Victoria (GWV) Rebels have won their past four games and will be hoping to bring their hot form into Saturday’s clash with the Chargers at Craigieburn. Sophie Van De Heuvel has been a machine up forward for the Rebels while the likes of Chloe Leonard have also been important across the ground for GWV.

The Oakleigh Chargers have had an up and down season but will be looking to end the year on a high note by claiming their fourth win. The Chargers have been bolstered by the inclusion of Laura Mayne and Emily Hastie, and will be relying on Daisy Bateman, who was deadly in front of goal last week.

GIPPSLAND POWER v. SANDRINGHAM DRAGONS

Round 9 – Saturday 12 May, 1.00pm

RAMS Arena, Craigieburn

The Gippsland Power are coming off a loss last week and will be wanting to end the season with a win. They have brought in some big-name players such as Charlize Bird and Julia Redmond in hopes to try and end Sandringham’s winning spree. The Power will be hoping that the likes of Tyla Hanks, Emily Hauesler and Jazz Ferguson continue their impressive form to help them claim the club’s fourth win of the year.

For the Sandringham Dragons, all eyes will be on the Northern Knights clash, if the Knights lose the Dragons can sneak into the top two by winning against the Power. The Dragons have been in red hot form and bring in the likes of superstars Molly Denahy Maloney, Laura Amelung and Winnie Laing to further boost their line-up, making for a hotly contested match.

WESTERN JETS v. GEELONG FALCONS

Round 9 – Saturday 12 May, 1.00pm

RAMS Arena, Craigieburn

The Western Jets will be hoping to cause a big upset and ruffle the feathers of the Falcons in what is set to be their last game of the 2018 season. The Jets will be looking to the likes of Caitlin Gashi, Elisabeth Georgostathis and Caitlin Greiser who starred last week to help them claim a major scalp against the undefeated Falcons.

After eight rounds the Geelong Falcons are yet to drop a game and will be looking to put out another strong performance against the eleventh-placed Jets. Geelong have been strong around the contest thanks to players like Denby Taylor down in defence along with Olivia Purcell and Nina Morrison who are not afraid to go in and win the footy. To help further strengthen their line-up going into the grand final, defender, Sarah Hungerford has been named in the 22.

CALDER CANNONS v. EASTERN RANGES

Round 9 – Saturday 12 May, 2.45pm

RAMS Arena, Craigieburn

The Calder Cannons are coming off a narrow loss to the Stingrays but will throw everything at the Ranges to secure their second win of the season. The Cannons have plenty of firepower across the ground with the likes of captain Madison Prespakis, Laura Cocomello and Molly Warburton consistently starring for them.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Ranges have come home hard, bagging a 46-point victory over Murray in last week’s clash. The Ranges will fall just short of making it to the grand final but have proved that they have plenty of talent with the likes of Olivia Meagher, Ashleigh Allsopp and Jess Provan standing tall for Eastern, making for an interesting clash between the two sides.

DANDENONG STINGRAYS v. BENDIGO PIONEERS

Round 9 – Saturday 12 May, 2.45pm

RAMS Arena, Craigieburn

Late in the season the Stingrays have found some hot form, claiming three wins on the trot, and will be hoping to add to their total. Dandenong have made a host of changes for their clash against the Pioneers with the likes of Eloise Allen-Burns and Alice O’Sullivan being named in the 22. A win against Bendigo could push the Stingrays as high as sixth place on the ladder.

On the other hand, the Pioneers would love to get a win against the Stingrays to end their year on a high and propel them up the table. They will be pleased to see the return of Jemma Finning and Maeve Tupper, while they will be hoping that Megan Williamson continues her impressive form.