WE are now officially in the back half of the AFLW season, with still so much left to play out this season. Among this weekend’s menu of exciting games is the first ever AFLW Showdown, as Adelaide and Port Adelaide are set to battle it out tonight at Adelaide Oval in one of two games set to open the round tonight.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

Hawthorn hosts a blockbuster Friday night clash down the Peninsula in Frankston to welcome the Eagles in what is West Coast’s first trip to Victoria this season. The Eagles went down swinging against Fremantle, but have been largely competitive – outside of Round 2 and 3 – for a team that is coming off a wooden spoon to sit 2-3 from five rounds. The Hawks had struggled to get wins on the board and looked in trouble last week against the Swans, before finishing strongly in the last three quarters to finally secure the four points.

WHERE IT’S WON

One aspect that Hawthorn cannot be criticised for is its pressure, laying 57 more tackles than its opponents this season, and while the first quarter last week was a forgettable one, the brown and gold showed resilience to fight back into the game and win under lights at Punt Road. The Hawks are also a superior clearance team with a plus-43 for the season, while the Eagles are plus-seven. West Coast like to possess the ball and back their talls to mark, but neither side has been able to consistently capitalise on forward 50 entries.

TEAM NEWS

West Coast announced a debutant in Ella Smith, with the Claremont captain rewarded for her hard work over the years in the WAFL Women’s. She has come in alongside Beth Schilling, with Imahra Cameron and Isabella Simmons both omitted. Hawthorn has lost key winger Kaitlyn Ashmore to a hamstring, with Laura Elliott (groin) and Bridget Deed (omitted) also out. Hawthorn VFLW defender Jenna Richardson makes her debut in the brown and gold at AFLW level with Dominique Carbone and Ainslie Kemp also coming in.

KEY PLAYERS

Much like the Hawthorn-Sydney clash last week, though the sides are not contending for the premiership, both teams have plenty of young talent to set themselves up for the future. Hawthorn’s Jasmine Fleming earned a Rising Star nomination last round and continues to cement herself in the Rising Star chances, with Charlotte Baskaran and Mackenzie Eardley also among the other first-year players with big roles. Sarah Lakay was the other Rising Star nomination in Round 5 and has relished the number one ruck role this season, while Ella Roberts, Abbygail Bushby and Jaide Britton are among the other teenagers who have the potential to do a lot of damage between midfield and attack for the blue and gold.

PREDICTION

A fascinating contest and one that will test the Eagles based on the journey to Victoria for the first time for many at AFLW level. Hawthorn will be buzzing over its win against Sydney and should push West Coast, but if the Eagles can repeat their efforts of recent weeks – including a shut down win over GWS and hard-fought battle against Fremantle – then the visitors should take home the four points.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

All eyes will be on Adelaide Oval as the inaugural women’s Showdown takes place. There are plenty of friends who will become enemies for a little over an hour tonight, as the red-hot Crows will look to bring newcomers Port back to earth. Adelaide completely obliterated GWS GIANTS last week with a 96-point victory, the largest in AFLW history, keeping the GIANTS to the equal lowest score in history. They have now won four on the trot and moved into second on the ladder, while the Power have been competitive, picking up six points thus far, and unlucky not to have a couple of wins on the board this season.

WHERE IT’S WON

There is no sugarcoating it, Adelaide will be hard to stop for the Power who will look to their leaders such as former Crows co-captain Erin Phillips to get them going. Port Adelaide is a fierce tackling team and will not shy away from the contest, but the Power come up against an Adelaide side that still brings the head – despite dominating possession – and is incredibly strong at the coalface and getting it inside 50. The Crows have the second highest inside 50 efficiency differential of 64.6 per cent, and outside the Collingwood game in Round 4, have punished sides. Port Adelaide needs to make the most of its chances if it is to get the four points.

TEAM NEWS

There is no better time to welcome debutants than in a Showdown, and Port Adelaide have done just that, bringing in a pair of fresh faces. Glenelg speedster Ella Boag and West Australian crafty left-footed forward Tessa Doumanis come into the side along with the returning Jade De Melo. Port Adelaide has gone with a smaller and quicker side against the Crows, with the trio replacing the taller marking targets of Jade Halfpenny and Julia Teakle, as well as hardened ball-winner, Sachi Syme. Adelaide has made just the one change with Marijana Rajcic coming in for her first game since Round 2, replacing Jasmine Simmons.

KEY PLAYERS

The rivalry between the two sides will be fantastic, with Phillips going up against Chelsea Randall, while other fellow Crows, Angela Foley and Justine Mules will also play against their former side for the first time. Ex-Crows Academy member Hannah Ewings will not fly under the radar against Adelaide with the team well aware of the amount of damage she can do, while the other key rivalry will be in the Dowrick household with Abbey Dowrick going up against sister McKenzie for the first time.

PREDICTION

The older sibling in this scenario will get up in Adelaide, and for Port fans, it will be about maintaining composure and not getting overawed against a genuine contender. Though Port will bring the heat, it should be a fairly big win to the Crows given the strength and consistency of the lineup.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

Both GWS and Carlton have not had the strongest of seasons, and are both coming off bad losses last weekend. GWS had a hard loss to Adelaide while Carlton had a heavy loss to Melbourne.

WHERE IT’S WON

Both sides have several key areas they need to improve in order to get the win and quite frankly turn their seasons around at large. For GWS, they need to lift their inside 50 count (minus-69), hitouts (minus-108, worst in the competition) and clearances (minus-32, also worst in the competition) count. For Carlton, it is their disposal winning (minus-91) count and their inside 50 efficiency (minus-54.9 per cent).

TEAM NEWS

GWS is possibly going to gain back Georgia Garnett back from injury this weekend, while Carlton are possibly going to gain back Darcy Vescio and Paige Trudgeon back from injury this weekend.

KEY PLAYERS

For GWS, it all starts in the middle with the likes of Alyce Parker and Alicia Eva feeding it to the star that is Cora Staunton. For Carlton Mimi Hill and Jessica Dal Pos are going to be feeding it to Vescio, who is going to need to have a huge game to ensure Carlton has a chance of winning.

PREDICTION

Both teams will be keen to get the win, and it is a crucial win for both sides. However, with what they’ve shown thus far this season Carlton should be too strong in this one and should gets the chocolates.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

These two sides are coming off very different results last weekend. The Western Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season last weekend when they went down to North Melbourne, while Geelong continued their rise up the ladder this season with a comprehensive win over St Kilda.

WHERE IT’S WON

Both teams are high handball teams (plus-125 and plus-148 respectively) so both need to stop the other’s handballing game while making sure their opponent does not stop theirs. The Bulldogs also need to improve their inside 50 efficiency. It currently sits at minus-29.7 per cent, while Geelong are far more efficient at plus-35.3 per cent.

TEAM NEWS

The Bulldogs are not expected to gain anyone back this week from injury, while Geelong will lose Georgie Prespakis out of their side this week due to suspension.

KEY PLAYERS

The midfield battle between the two sides is set to be a scintillating one. Ellie Blackburn and Kirsty Lamb on one side coming up against Amy McDonald and Nina Morrison is going to be an entertaining battle for neutrals and non neutrals alike.

PREDICTION

This is going to be a good test for Geelong and a good marker to see where they are really at this season. However, the Bulldogs should bounce back from their loss last week and get back on the winners list this week.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

After a strong start to the season, St Kilda has dropped off a bit in the past few weeks and is coming off a bad loss to Geelong last week. Collingwood on the other hand bounced back from its Round 4 loss nicely last week with a win over Essendon.

WHERE IT’S WON

For St Kilda to stand a chance, it is all about disposal numbers and inside 50 efficiency. St Kilda is minus-32 on disposals compared to Collingwood’s plus-three, while St Kilda is plus-9.5 per cent in disposal efficiency, compared to Collingwood’s plus-49.9 per cent.

TEAM NEWS

The Saints will unfortunately have to make at least one change this week with Erin McKinnon missing due to concussion. Collingwood on the other hand will be missing captain Steph Chiocci this week through suspension, but she was going to miss this week anyway because of concussion.

KEY PLAYERS

Georgia Patrikios is having a stellar season in her return to the AFLW, while Kate Shierlaw is another who is having a stellar season for the Saints. Meanwhile for Collingwood, among many others Chloe Molloy and Eliza James both had stellar games last week and will be looking to replicate that kind of form this week.

PREDICTION

St Kilda need to bounce back quick snap, but this is not likely to be the week they do it. Collingwood should easily win.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

Richmond comes into a home clash against Gold Coast with all the stars seemingly aligning. Returning to the scene of the upset of the season the Tigers produced last week against Brisbane, Richmond will hope to bring the same intensity and form against a Suns outfit that is yet to win outside of Queensland in Season 7. Overall, Richmond has put its two heartbreaking losses in the opening fortnight behind it to notch up three straight wins and move into the top eight. Gold Coast sit percentage – albeit 48.6 per cent – behind the Tigers in ninth, having won the three games in Queensland against a non-Queensland side.

WHERE IT’S WON

Gold Coast is very good at winning the ball at the stoppages and controlling play from the contest. The Suns are plus-77 in disposals, plus-18 in clearances and plus-51 in contested possessions, as well as plus-10 from centre clearances. That is a huge concern for a Tigers outfit who, despite having a star-studded midfield, have struggled in those areas. The yellow and black are minus-35 in disposals, minutes-18 in clearances, and only plus-six in contested possessions. Richmond is capable of hitting targets inside 50 though, with its plus-15 marks ranked number one in the competition, while plus-13 tackles is also impressive.

TEAM NEWS

Gold Coast will be minus injury replacement player Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster following a knee injury sustained in the win over Port Adelaide. There was better news for defender Daisy D’Arcy who had a minor ankle sprain early in the Power game, but played out the match and is predicted to be available for selection. Northern Territory forward Ashanti Bush was removed from the injury list and is available for selection. The Tigers have kept tight-lipped about their selection, with captain Katie Brennan a possible to return from a foot injury, while Rebecca Miller (hamstring) could be back, and Stephanie Williams – who hurt her knee last match – is also undergoing a test.

KEY PLAYERS

The Tigers keys will once again be their midfielders, lead by Monique Conti, with Jess Hosking and Ellie McKenzie crucial in winning that contested ball battle. The defence held up really well against the Lions in Miller’s absence, with Maddie Shevlin and Eilish Sheerin enjoying great seasons. Gold Coast have potential when going forward, with Courtney Jones always a threat, and the likes of Alison Drennan, Charlie Rowbottom and Claudia Whitfort cracking in at the coalface.

PREDICTION

The response from Richmond will be the most interesting, because the Tigers cannot afford to undo their fantastic win over the Lions with a loss to the Suns at the Tigers’ home deck. Richmond should win given Gold Coast’s struggles away from home, but the Suns’ strengths do align with the Tigers’ issues so it would not be a complete shock to see Gold Coast cause an upset.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

Brisbane suffered its first loss of the season last week going down to Richmond, while Essendon suffered their first double digit loss last week when they went down to Collingwood.

WHERE IT’S WON

For Essendon, the Bombers need to be able to stop Brisbane’s kicking game, and lift their own inside 50 efficiency. Brisbane is currently plus-140 in kicks (in comparison Essendon’s is -plus-23), while Essendon’s inside 50 efficiency is currently plus-26 per cent, which pails in comparison to Brisbane’s plus-91.2 per cent.

TEAM NEWS

Brisbane had the best injury news of the year when they announced Kate Lutkins would be available for selection, completing a remarkable recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury she suffered earlier this year. Meanwhile Essendon will have to make at least two changes this week, with Daria Bannister (suspension) and Ellyse Gamble (calf injury) having to come out of the side this week.

KEY PLAYERS

Brisbane’s dominance this season starts at the coalface, with Ally Anderson, Emily Bates and Orla O’Dwyer all having stellar seasons thus far. For Essendon, Madison Prespakis is feeding Essendon’s strong forward line including the likes of Bonnie Toogood.

PREDICTION

This week was never going to be a good week to be Brisbane’s opponent, no matter who it was, and unfortunately for Essendon it is the Bombers. Brisbane is back at home, disappointed with last week’s result, and will bounce back this week with a solid win.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

Melbourne come into this game off the back of a solid win over Carlton after their first loss of the year the weekend before. Meanwhile Fremantle last week finally broke through for their first win of the season when they downed rivals West Coast.

WHERE IT’S WON

Fremantle is going to have to seriously lift its numbers in several categories in order to try and compete with the Dees. Namely the Dockers disposal count (minus-168 to Melbourne’s plus-149), handball count (minus-178 to Melbourne’s plus-156) and inside 50 count (minus-44 to Melbourne’s plus-eight) among many other categories.

TEAM NEWS

Fremantle may gain back both Madeleine Scanlon and Matilda Sergeant back this week from respective injuries. Meanwhile Melbourne has confirmed Jordan Ivey is out of the side at the moment due to a flare up of an old foot injury and will be out for a few weeks.

KEY PLAYERS

The battle in Melbourne’s forward line/Fremantle’s defence will be a particularly fascinating one on Sunday afternoon. On the one hand you have the likes of Tayla Harris, Daisy Pearce and Kate Hore, coming up against Emma O’Driscoll, Janelle Cuthbertson and Ange Stannett.

PREDICTION

In previous seasons this would have been a much tighter affair, but this is a very different season. Fremantle are still down several key players and are nowhere near the full strength side of previous seasons, while Melbourne found their groove again last week and are back to their best. Melbourne to get the win.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

One of the larger mismatches of the round, North Melbourne will host Sydney at Punt Road for the inaugural unofficial “Scott Gowans Cup”. The former Roos coach has lead the Swans to an admirable start against the odds in Season 7, but their best chance for four points slipped away after a 26-0 start against the Hawks last week. North Melbourne had a tough draw to start the season, losing to last year’s grand finalists, but a crunch win over the much-improved Western Bulldogs will give the Kangaroos confidence for the season ahead.

WHERE IT’S WON

North Melbourne is ahead in just about every stat, and though the Roos have often been beaten statistically in certain areas, have managed to come away with the wins. Both these sides struggle with uncontested possessions, and allow the opposition two much freedom on the outside. Last week it was more about the corridor handballs the Roos conceded, and were happy to apply that pressure to stop the Dogs. They are a kick-first side, and will punish opponents when inside 50, capable of hitting targets. The inexperienced Sydney defence will have a tough time against the Roos, with ex-North tall Alexia Hamilton set to play against her former side.

TEAM NEWS

North Melbourne has a relatively healthy list with only midfielder Ellie Gavalas unavailable from its best 21. The Roos have backed in their group in recent weeks, and will be likely to do so again coming off that impressive victory over the Dogs. Sydney duo Ruby Sargent-Wilson and Aliesha Newman both face tests to see if they can return to the Swans lineup for the match.

KEY PLAYERS

Sydney’s top players really stood out last round, with onballer Montana Ham and fellow first-year player Cynthia Hamilton both having huge games. Forward Brooke Lochland got ahold of the Hawks’ defence in the first term with three goals, but expect the Roos to be far tighter on the ex-Dog. Molly Eastman is another key player for Gowan’s side to provide run and carry from the back half. For the Roos, Jenna Bruton is in outstanding form, while Emma Kearney and Jasmine Garner just produce each and every week. Emma King is hard to contain when up and going inside 50 with her long reach.

PREDICTION

A fairly easy one to predict, with North Melbourne set to win well. The Swans are always competitive for patches in matches, but with the Roos coming off their best four-quarter performance of the year, it is hard to see the less-experienced Swans matching it with the Roos in this contest.