WITH the 2022 AFL Women’s season fixture now released, fans begin to plan for the year ahead, and speculate about some of the best clashes to look forward to. Whilst premiership contenders battling each other is always an easy one, we have taken a look at a few different matches including first-time venues and rivalries.

ROUND 1

It is hard to look past this game in the opening round with two of the biggest traditional rivals, and pioneers of the women’s game. It should be a cracker too, with Melbourne one of the AFL Women’s contenders, whilst the Bulldogs are a rising club with an abundance of young talent. The Dees will want to get their season off on the right note, whilst the Dogs would benefit from a huge scalp in the opening round.

ROUND 2

An evening on the Sunshine Coast awaits the Navy Blues who head north in a clash that is set to be a beauty. The Lions officially launch their new home ground at Maroochydore, and welcome the Blues, who, with a bit of luck, could find themselves rising up the ladder. The reigning premiers will likely use this opportunity to raise the premiership flag, having been scheduled to play in the west in Round 1.

ROUND 3

The game which opened the AFL Women’s season back in 2019 opens Round 3 this year, with the sides to clash under lights in Geelong. Collingwood will be strong favourites for the match, but in front of home fans, the Cats will hope to cause a boilover. A Nina Morrison behind won the game for Geelong back in 2019, and if the game can be that tight in this encounter, then the atmosphere will be fever pitch.

ROUND 4

There is no much which needs to be said about this game, because these two sides could potentially be playing off in a grand final preview. The Magpies, Lions and Dockers are all right up there with them, but the Crows are coming off a near miss at a third flag, so will be hungry to get a crucial win in this game. It is also the third tough game in four rounds for the Crows, whilst the Dees look set to head into the game 3-0.

ROUND 5

This is a massive round of action and could easily have chosen the Lions-Pies or Blues-Crows matches, but this has special significance. Both sides fell short in the first week of finals last week, but more importantly it is the first Tasmanian game of the year. North Melbourne hosts the Dockers at North Hobart Oval at 1:10pm in what should bring out plenty of supporters to see a number of Tasmanians don the blue and white back home.

ROUND 6

These sides last clashed in the final round of the 2021 AFL Women’s season, with the Cats getting up to avoid the wooden spoon. The result meant Gold Coast went through the 2021 season without a win. It should be more even at the bottom next year, and the Suns will eye this one-off game at Fankhauser Reserve as a real opportunity to grab a win. Both sides must win this game in order to improve their ladder position in 2022.

ROUND 7

After the first Apple Isle game two rounds ago, the Kangaroos host the Magpies in the first night game, this one at University of Tasmania Stadium. The Friday night fixture scheduled for 7:10pm is a must-watch with both sides having some thrilling contests over the years. Add in the extra spice of Scott Gowans switching the colour of his stripes after North let him go and the Pies swooped, and this has all the ingredients of being a thriller under lights.

ROUND 8

Running with the theme of first matches in this piece, a Friday night contest in the heart of the country, Canberra takes place in Round 8. GWS GIANTS host Carlton in a 7:10pm clash at Manuka Oval in the ACT, with both teams considered mid-table sides at this point. Though with Chloe Dalton and Katie Loynes heading to the orange and charcoal, and Jess Dal Pos donning the Navy Blue, expect there to be plenty of banter out on the field.

ROUND 9

There is a potential Round 6 clash at RSEA Park, but the only guaranteed slot is in Round 9, which would mark the first clash at the venue post-renovations. Both sides have great young potential, with the Cats likely to rise up the ladder in 2022, while Saints will look to overcome the loss of key players. This is a winnable game for both sides, and would be fantastic if placed under lights at Moorabbin.

ROUND 10

The sole game at Mars Stadium for the season comes in the last round, with the Western Bulldogs hosting Fremantle to close out the AFL Women’s premiership season. The Bulldogs are predicted to rise up the ladder and could be battling for a finals spot by the last round, whilst Fremantle will be right at the top end of the ladder at the pointy stage of the season.