SIX different matches over two days, six different states. That is what is on offer for AFL Women’s fans in Round 4 of Season 7 this weekend, and that is only Friday-Saturday. A couple of massive matches with premiership-contending sides, the Dreamtime rivals and all to play for on a fascinating Sunday round out the weekend’s play.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

North Melbourne currently only has one win on the board, but with the way the Roos started last week against Adelaide that could have been two wins. Geelong on the other hand has had a blistering start to the season but could not quite make it three from three last weekend after they faltered against Collingwood.

WHERE IT’S WON

For Geelong, their handball game and higher efficiency inside 50 as compared to the Roos will both be crucial in order for them to get the win tonight.

For North, they simply must lift their inside 50 efficiency. It is one of the lowest in the league, and in the past few weeks North have had opportunities to win the games they lost but did not make the most of them, and a lot of it could boil down to their inside 50 efficiency.

TEAM NEWS

There has been one change to each side ahead of tonight’s game. North Melbourne have brought in Danielle Hardiman to replace Amy Smith who is injured, while Geelong have brought in Mia Skinner at the expense of Kate Darby.

KEY PLAYERS

Geelong defenders in the likes of Meghan McDonald, Annabel Johnson and Shelley Scott have ensured Geelong concede one of the lowest totals thus far this season, and they come up against a pretty strong forward line tonight with that is well fed by the likes of Jasmine Garner, Emma Kearney and Jenna Bruton, so they will certainly have their work cut out for them

PREDICTION

Although Geelong are a vastly improved side this season, North just have too much class and should be too strong in this one. Should be an entertaining battle though none the less.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

Both GWS GIANTS and West Coast come into the Round 4 clash with a must-win attitude. They have mustered up one win from three matches, with the Eagles’ coming in Round 1 against Port Adelaide at home, while the GIANTS finally got on the board last week against Sydney Swans. West Coast’s past two performances – against Gold Coast and Essendon – have been forgettable, while the GIANTS had far more respective defeats against undefeated sides, Western Bulldogs and Brisbane.

WHERE IT’S WON

The game could be won and lost both inside and outside the stoppages. GWS has loved to control the ball this year, with a plus-98 in disposals (fourth) compared to West Coast’s -108 (16th). The GIANTS also rank first for handball differential (+129), fourth for uncontested possessions (+90) and fifth for marks (+20). The two sides are ranked 16th (West Coast) and 18th (GWS) for hitout differential, with West Coast’s centre clearance work (+5) ranking them fourth overall compared to the GIANTS’ (-10) 17th. But strangely the Eagles rank 18th for stoppage clearances, so they will need to fix that.

TEAM NEWS

GWS effectively just has its long-term injury list, while the Eagles have a relatively settled list from an injury front with just captain Emma Swanson having a test on her sore leg, but is expected to play in the clash. The Eagles announced they would have a debutant in Peel Thunder dual premiership player, Jaide Britton.

KEY PLAYERS

In ripping form for the GIANTS, Alyce Parker is near-impossible to stop with the contested ball-winner leading all-comers for disposals, and in the top eight for clearances. Right there with her is Eagles skipper Swanson, while livewire Aisling McCarthy is capable of turning a game for her team. Cora Staunton ages like a fine wine, and remains the most dangerous GIANTS forward.

PREDICTION

GWS GIANTS have been more competitive and consistent this season, and their form lends itself to a mid-table finish. If they are to play finals, this simply has to be a win, especially at home. West Coast will want to put in a far more consistent performance than the past two weeks, and cannot afford to be jumped for the third week in a row.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

Gold Coast do only have one win on the board, sandwiched between pretty two convincing losses to North and Brisbane respectively. St Kilda on the other hand has had a good start to the season but its undefeated run came undone last weekend at the hands of Melbourne.

WHERE IT’S WON

St Kilda lead the pair in disposals, kicks and handballs, so the Saints are certainly getting plenty of the ball this season, and they are also very efficient inside 50, currently sitting with the second best percentage in the league.

Gold Coast on the other hand have a better hit out and clearance numbers then the Saints do, so the Suns are getting first use of the ball at the stoppage, just not able to make the most of it.

TEAM NEWS

Gold Coast are pretty healthy on the injury front in the moment which is a huge bonus. Ashanti Bush is still out for another week with a knee injury, while Jamie Stanton is out for the year with her knee injury. Unfortunately for St Kilda, their list is not so short. Some of this inclusions to the list this week alone are Molly McDonald, Clara Fitzpatrick and Rebecca Ott.

KEY PLAYERS

For both sides their tallest players are arguably their most crucial.

For the Suns Lauren Bella is getting great first use of the ball for her team in the ruck, while Tara Bohanna is proving to be an excellent key target right down the ground, she just needs to get more feed into her.

Meanwhile for the Saints, Kate Shierlaw and Bianca Jakobsson are absolute crucial down their respective ends of the ground, sometimes both ends in Shierlaw’s case. Shierlaw is also leading the goal kicking at the moment, so will have to be a target for the Suns defenders.

PREDICTION

The game is in Queensland which will help the Suns, but the Saints are a vastly improved side this year and should get the chocolates. However, this is a must win game for the Suns if they want to be taken seriously in Season 7.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

Port Adelaide’s thrilling draw with Carlton last roind handed the Power their first points in the women’s club history. It was not quite the full four points as they would have liked, but the Power have a massive chance here back at home, having gone down to West Coast and Western Bulldogs in the opening two weeks. Sydney on the other hand, has suffered losing margins of 29, 31 and then last week, 47, against St Kilda, Collingwood and GWS.

WHERE IT’S WON

Sydney is ranked among the lowest sides across the baord for most statistics, but the disposals (-192), uncontested possessions (-147) and tackles inside 50 (-49) are the worst in the comp. The Swans’ contested possession count (-48, 17th), and marks (-54, 17th) tell a damning story. The expansion side just needs to get its hands on the ball, as the Swans are having far fewer possessions than their opponents, and adopt a back-to-basics approach. They have had the same time to prepare for their inaugural season as the Power. Port Adelaide has areas to work on such as centre clearances (-16, 18th) though the started to resurrect that last week, and remarkably ranked second for stoppage clearances (+19). Port is also the second highest tackling team in the competition (+39).

TEAM NEWS

Sydney will be minus young gun Cynthia Hamilton who suffered a concussion in the Battle of the Bridge, but could be boosted by number one pick Montana Ham‘s return. Maddy Collier is also under a cloud for her ankle, while Jaide Anthony – yet to debut – could be in-line as she looks to overcome a thigh injury. Unfortunately for the Power, their already inexperienced ruck stocks will become thinner, after Elizabeth McGrath torn a hamstring in the draw against Carlton and will miss the next month.

KEY PLAYERS

The Carlton midfield saw what young gun Hannah Ewings could do last week on her way to 21 disposals, four tackles and five clearances, winning the Rising Star nomination. She along with Abbey Dowrick, and the experience of captain Erin Phillips and Angela Foley make the Power side well settled. The Swans would dearly love Ham to return who will provide that bigger body at the stoppages, while Molly Eastman has become a key player in defence. Ally Morphett in the ruck will e looking to take full advantage against Port Adelaide’s second ruck, Olivia Levicki.

PREDICTION

Port Adelaide came within a whisker of winning last round, and against less experienced opponents, and at home, should come up with the goods this round. Regardless of the result, it will be a history-making day for at least one of the sides, and it would be fitting for the Power to win in front of their home fans at Alberton Oval.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

Two sides in desperate need of a win, Fremantle is starting to regroup and look more like the dangerous side it has been for a number of years. Unfortunately the Dockers have been hurt by the league-high injury list, and they come in without a win, having narrowly gone down to the Western Bulldogs after disappointing losses to Brisbane and Geelong (at home). Carlton is coming off a draw against the Power, and a one-point win over Essendon, but a goal to the opposition in both cases, and the Blues could very easily be staring down an 0-3 start like the Dockers.

WHERE IT’S WON

Carlton’s dominance starts in the ruck, with Breann Moody leading the Navy Blues to a plus-49 in hitouts, ranking them first in the competition. By comparison the Dockers are minus-24, with tackling being Fremantle’s only stat the the top few sides, ranking fourth in the competition. Carlton ranks fifth in that area, but have the advantage in centre clearances (equal fifth), with Fremantle’s ball use an issue this season, Both sides have struggled to convert their inside 50s into scores, so the team that can do that more effectively could be the one on top.

TEAM NEWS

Carlton became the latest club to lose a player to the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) club, with promising midfielder Maddy Guerin suffering the injury against Port Adelaide. Carlton is otherwise fairly strong, with Guerin joining young tall forward Mia Austin as the only injuries of note at the Navy Blues. Fremantle’s long injury list could get shorter very soon, with forward Gabby O’Sullivan‘s hamstring strain not as bad as most, while Janelle Cuthbertson is also coming close to returning, having sustained that broken nose back in Round 1.

KEY PLAYERS

Moody is a clear, consistent performer who will want to take advantage over her younger opponent Mim Strom, but it is danger signs for the Blues as Kiara Bowers and Hayley Miller have gotten better each week. Darcy Vescio effectively won the Blues the game off her own boot in Round 2, but was shut down last week, so Fremantle may adopt the same tactic to limit the Carlton firepower inside 50. Abbie McKay and captain Kerryn Peterson are enjoying wonderful seasons.

PREDICTION

A genuine lineball call. Fremantle has been getting gradually better, while the Blues have looked shaky but managed to pull off six of a possible eight points the last two weeks. Back at home and wanting to atone for that Round 2 performance against Geelong, the Dockers should have the upper hand, but expecting a single-digit margin either way.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

Hawthorn started out promising in Round 1 against Essendon but ultimately faded away in the last quarter, and have not got that close to a win since. They face a Bulldogs side who is currently undefeated and despite being challenged at times in the first three weeks of the season, are looking like a pretty solid side this season.

WHERE IT’S WON

The Bulldogs lead the pair in just about every key category, so for Hawthorn the key will be to raise their inside 50 efficiency and stop the Dogs at the coalface, ensuring their midfielders do not get first use of the ball and create dangerous attacking plays.

TEAM NEWS

Hawthorn may get both Mackenzie Eardley and Emily Everist back from injury this week, but they will definitely have at least one debutant after it was confirmed Aine McDonagh will play her first game this weekend. Meanwhile for the Bulldogs Kirsten McLeod is still a couple of weeks away from returning from injury.

KEY PLAYERS

For both sides their most important players are midfielders. Ellie Blackburn and Kirsty Lamb have been the catalyst for much of the Bulldogs run and attacking play out of the middle, while for the Hawks it is almost like Tilly Lucas-Rodd has found a new lease on life and is playing better than she ever has before.

PREDICTION

The Bulldogs have had a great start to the season and that should not change tomorrow. It is at Hawthorn’s home ground which will help, but the Bulldogs are just so much stronger that they should be able to get the job done.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

Kick-starting a thrilling Sunday of action, two sides in genuine premiership contention go head-to-head. The undefeated Magpies host the 2-1 Crows at Victoria Park, returning to their spiritual home to make the trip to Victoria as uncomfortable as possible for the Crows. Adelaide has managed to bounce back from a Round 1 loss to Melbourne to post come-from-behind wins over Richmond and North Melbourne. Collingwood has ticked off expected wins over Carlton, Sydney and Geelong, with the Crows a greater challenge than those trio of sides.

WHERE IT’S WON

Last season these sides played out a two-point thriller in Round 9, and the Magpies have not won since 2018. So far this season, the Magpies are ranked second for kick differential (plus-89), as well as third for inside 50s and disposal efficiency differentials. They also have the third least turnovers, the third most marks, and the second most marks inside 50. With 33 tackles per game inside 50, the Magpies ranked fourth in that stat as well, showing their ability to win the ball, kick long inside 50 and lock it in there. Adelaide’s game is based around the clearances, with a plus-21 in clearances putting them far ahead of any side, while their plus-22 stoppage work also ranks them first in the league. Their discrepancies in ball-winning is evident this season, and the Crows will want to control the Magpies at the source, especially if the Crows continue their dominance around the stoppages.

TEAM NEWS

Two of the healthiest teams in the competition, the Magpies are continually testing star midfielder Jaimee Lambert‘s pesky ankle, while the Crows are only minus Ailish Considine as she closes in on a return from a hamstring injury.

KEY PLAYERS

If Lambert is fully fit, she is one of the most damaging players in the league, but it will be a team effort of Mikala Cann, Ruby Schleicher and Chloe Molloy to try and contain the damaging duo of Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff, with skipper Chelsea Randall adding another string to her bow through the middle this season. Caitlin Gould is also in remarkable form through the ruck, while the underrated nature of Lauren Butler continues, with the Magpies defender just doing her job each week.

PREDICTION

Collingwood earn the favouritism being at home, but expect this to be another game down to the wire. The Crows have started slow throughout the season, and cannot afford to do that against the Magpies. Collingwood will be wary of Adelaide’s ability to come hard in the second half, so the Magpies will need to remain composed. It should be another single-digit thriller, but Collingwood has the better form.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

Essendon has come into the competition all guns blazing, and although currently sit at 2-1 could just as easily be 3-0 after narrowly losing to Carlton. Richmond could also just as easily be 3-0 but after two frustrating losses in a row finally broke through for their first win last week.

WHERE IT’S WON

For Richmond, they have to expose Essendon’s weakened backline. Essendon are a strong side, but if they had an Achilles’ Heal it would be their defence. While for Essendon, they have to stop Richmond’s midfield getting first use of the ball and creating attacks out of the middle.

TEAM NEWS

Essendon’s injury list is pretty short at the moment, with Bella Ayre the only member of the list at the moment. Meanwhile for Richmond they are a chance to get both Katie Brennan and Meagan Kiely back from injury this week, which will be huge inclusions for the Tigers.

KEY PLAYERS

Both teams have stars all over the ground, but arguably the most crucial for each side is a match up in the midfield that will no doubt delight and excite fans both neutral and not. Madison Prespakis and Monique Conti have both had stellar starts to the season, and will be crucial to the success of their respective sides on Sunday.

PREDICTION

This has the billings of a genuine 50/50 game. Essendon are an exciting expansion side while Richmond are a side on the rise this season despite what the ladder currently says. However when it comes down to it, Richmond’s experience at this level should play a part and ensure they are the ones that get over the line.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

Arguably the two best sides in the competition and a potential grand final preview, Round 4 has saved the best until last. Melbourne looked to be on track for a crushing win over St Kilda last week, before being held goalless for three quarters, bringing up some questions for the clash. Prior to that, the Dees won against reigning premiers Adelaide on the road in a grand final rematch, before also surviving a two-point thriller over North Melbourne. Brisbane’s wins have never looked in doubt, with huge wins over Fremantle (49 points), GWS (47) and Gold Coast (73) showing a remarkable level of offence and defence, though as coach Craig Starcevich said, none of the three opponents are predicted to be at the pointy end of the ladder, so the clash against the Dees will be the first big test.

WHERE IT’S WON

The game has many facets to it, but both sides love to win the ball and use the outside to great effect. Brisbane in particular has sliced up sides with its uncontested possession count (+104), ranked first easily, as well as total marks (first) and marks inside 50 (3rd). They have a score differential of 169 – that’s right, the Lions have scored 169 more points than their opponents in just three rounds – and rank in the top three for disposals (third), kicks (first), disposal efficiency (2nd), inside 50 efficiency (1st) and contested possessions (1st). Melbourne has developed its handball game to try and break up Brisbane’s kick and mark style, and the Demons also rank highly in uncontested possessions and inside 50 efficiency. In what will be a joy to watch, the winner will be which side can get its hands on the ball, play its brand of footy and get more inside 50s as both teams can score heavily in quick succession with a high inside 50 efficiency.

TEAM NEWS

Brisbane will only be without Dee Heslop (concussion) from their list currently available, while the Demons will not only be minus Sinead Goldrick (knee), but also Tayla Harris and Jordan Ivey due to suspension. There is some good news for Dees fans though, with Maddison Gay likely to return from a calf injury that saw her miss the win over the Saints.

KEY PLAYERS

Both lineups are star-studded, with the Brisbane onball of Emily Bates, Ally Anderson and Catherine Svarc going up against Eliza West, Olivia Purcell and Tyla Hanks. Melbourne has the capacity to rotate players a lot, but Brisbane has been doing that as well with the likes of Courtney Hodder (midfield) and Dakota Davidson (defence) among those shifts.

PREDICTION

Minus Harris and Ivey will hurt the Demons, given they come up against an already strong Brisbane defence. The Casey Fields factor works in the Demons’ favour, as does recent history, with the three last contests between the sides being two, three and in the case of last year’s preliminary final, four. The Season 7 Lions are just built different though, and to think that star defender Kate Lutkins could just waltz into the team at the pointy end is scary. If the Lions do get up in this, then there is an undoubted premiership favourite, while if the Demons win, then they have beaten arguably their three biggest threats for the 2022 flag.