ROUND 2 of the 2022 VFL Women’s season is already upon us, and after a number of upsets and other very interesting results in Round 1, time will tell if the trend continues into this weekend. In a quirk of the fixture, all games will be played on Saturday this time around.

Casey vs. Darebin Falcons
10am @ La Trobe Uni

Due to a ground (un)availability, Casey is actually the home team for this encounter which is in a strange twist of events, as it is set to be played at Darebin’s usual home ground.

Both sides had great come from behind wins last weekend, so will take the confidence from that into this weekend’s encounter. Particularly for the Falcons, who don’t have the current AFLW talent to rely on, or the resources that Casey has.

Casey will likely head in as heavy favourite, but the Falcons showed great fight to come back and win last week. Overlooking them would be done at the Demons’ own peril.

Carlton vs. Southern Saints
10am @ Ikon Park

Just hours before their respective AFLW sides square off at the same venue, it’s the Blues and Saints doing battle at Ikon Park.

Both sides had vastly different results last week. The Southern Saints broke Collingwood’s undefeated run that had lasted several years, while Carlton struggled in a loss to Geelong.

It is these Round 1 results that sees the Saints go into this one as likely favourites, but expect Carlton to at least have their moments, particularly since the Blues return to the comfort of their home ground.

Western Bulldogs vs. Williamstown
10am @ Whitten Oval

It is battle of the Barry Crockers from Round 1. Both of these sides had shocking first up matches, and will be looking to rectify that this coming weekend.

Western Bulldogs do have the home ground advantage, but will simply be just looking to put any kind of the score on the board this week after going scoreless last week. They should find it a somewhat easier against the standalone Seagulls, but had trouble doing so last season.

Speaking of the Seagulls, their first quarter was superb last week, but they let it slip away after quarter time and ended up on the losing side. No doubt all the Seagulls coaching staff will have had many discussions during the week about what went wrong and how they can avoid it happening again this week.

Geelong vs. Hawthorn
12pm @ Deakin University, Waurn Ponds

Last week Geelong proved why they were the side that made the Grand Final last year by comprehensively beating the Blues.

The Cats now come up against a Hawthorn side which had its own comprehensive win against North, but will not find things as easy this week against a much tougher opponent.

Home ground advantage will play in Geelong’s favour, but the former AFLW players that the Hawks have at their disposal will certainly give the Cats a few headaches.

North Melbourne vs. Collingwood
12:05pm @ Arden St Oval

Now, this clash becomes a lot more intriguing after last weekend’s results.

Before last weekend, on paper this looked like a relatively straightforward win to the Pies.

Not anymore.

North was pretty comprehensively beaten last week, but after seeing what the Saints did to the Pies, the Roos won’t see Collingwood as so indestructible as they once were.

The Pies, on the other hand, will be desperate to get back on the winners list and prove why they have been the dominant side for so many years now.

Essendon vs. Port Melbourne
12:30pm @ The Hangar

This is another clash that becomes more intriguing after last weekend’s results.

Essendon was as flawless as you can get in Round 1, thrashing the Bulldogs and looking like one of the genuine contenders yet again.

Meanwhile, after such a great start to last season, the Borough lost their first up match this time around after blowing a lead.

Based off Round 1 alone, it is the Bombers that go in as favourites, but do not count the Borough out of this one. They certainly have the VFLW listed talent to do it, it is just a case of making it happen.