AS the AFL Women’s season races towards the end of the season, for some clubs every game becomes more and more crucial as they fight to secure their place in the finals.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

With both sides not getting a win under their belt, both sides will be keen to get the chocolates tonight. Both sides are also coming off frustrating losses last week to Collingwood and GWS respectively.

WHERE IT’S WON

For Carlton, the main area they need to improve in order to get the win is their inside 50 efficiency, which is currently minus-56.9 compared to St Kilda’s plus-20.7. For St Kilda, the glaring area of their game is the clearances, with the Saints lagging behind the Blues in both centre clearances and stoppage clearances.

TEAM NEWS

St Kilda welcomes back Rebecca Ott and Olivia Vesely this week who replace Ella Friend and Deanna Jolliffe, while Carlton welcome back Brooke Walker and Amelia Velardo to replace Natalie Plane and the injured Lily Goss.

KEY PLAYERS

For St Kilda, it has really been their tall timbers Kate Shierlaw and to a lesser extent Caitlin Greiser who have really shone for them this season. However with the wet weather their influence may be placated slightly, so St Kilda will need others to step up.

Meanwhile for Carlton Kerryn Peterson has really led from the front, while Vaomua Laloifi is in All Australian form this season, and after keeping Cora Staunton quiet for the most part last week, she is going to need to bring it again to keep likely Shierlaw or Greiser quiet.

PREDICTION

This will be a fascinating clash that really could go either way. However, home ground advantage to St Kilda sways favouritism slightly in their favour.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

Although West Coast has shown glimpses of improvement this year and have broken their personal record for most wins they have had in a season, that form has been inconsistent. They come into this clash off a loss to the Hawks. Richmond on the other hand is one of the most improved sides of the competition, are coming off their fourth win in a row after they defeated Gold Coast last week.

WHERE IT’S WON

If West Coast want any chance to win, they have got to improve the Eagles’ inside 50 efficiency. It currently sits at -80.3. However, if they can get on top in the clearances battle (which they are currently better at than Richmond) that will go a long way to helping.

Richmond on the other hand need to ensure they get their handball game going, and that is an area they can really exploit West Coast.

TEAM NEWS

West Coast have made a number of changes this week, bringing back Isabella Simmons, Hayley Bullas and Jessica Sedunary. Meanwhile the Tigers regain Ellie McKenzie and Stella Reid, but have two big outs in Maddie Shevlin and Katie Brennan.

KEY PLAYERS

There are a number of match ups that are going to be fascinating to watch in this encounter. The ruck battle between Sarah Lakay and Gabrielle Seymour, Laura McClelland against Kate Bartlett and Sophie McDonald versus Courtney Wakefield are just some of the potentially fascinating one on one battles on show tonight.

PREDICTION

West Coast is at home, but they have had an up and down and inconsistent season. Richmond however are on a good run of form and should easily get the win in this encounter.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

It certainly has not been an easy welcome into the AFLW for the Swans, who are yet to win a game thus far this season and have been comprehensively beaten on a number of occasions.

Gold Coast on the other hand have had their moments of promise this season, but have also been inconsistent. They will be keen to bounce back this week after losing to Gold Coast last week.

WHERE IT’S WON

For Sydney, there are plenty of areas they need to target in order to compete with the Suns.

They need to stop Gold Coast’s handballing game, and lift their disposal count and their inside 50 efficiency, which are the worst in the competition.

TEAM NEWS

Sydney’s injury list is pretty short at the moment. They may regain Sarah Dargan back this week, but have lost Aimee Whelan for the season to a collarbone injury.

Gold Coast’s injury list is also pretty short at the moment, but it is unclear as to when they will regain Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster from that knee injury.

KEY PLAYERS

For Sydney, their best player this year has definitely been Montana Ham, so Gold Coast need to target her and keep her quiet to get the upper hand in the midfield battle.

Meanwhile for the Suns, Tara Bohanna is really leading from the front, while Lauren Bella is having a much improved season in Season 7.

PREDICTION

Gold Coast are not the most consistent team in the world, but after losing last week this is the perfect opportunity to bounce back and get back on the winners list. Although they are the visitors, their experience and improvement they have shown this season should see them easily get the win.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

Adelaide has been one of the inform teams of the competitions this year. Apart from a first up loss to the Dees, they have had several comprehensive wins this season, including in the last two weeks over GWS and Port Adelaide.

Fremantle on the other hand have had quite the opposite season, with a tough run with injuries quelling them to only one win thus far this season.

WHERE IT’S WON

Fremantle have a lot of areas they need to target in order to have any hope of beating Adelaide.

Their disposal count (minus-222 compared to Adelaide’s plus-148), disposal efficiency (minus-29.8 compared to Adelaide’s plus-3.7) and inside 50 efficiency (minus-48 compared to Adelaide’s plus-104.5) are just some of the areas they need to target in particular.

TEAM NEWS

Adelaide will have to make at least two changes this week, with Jess Waterhouse getting suspended and McKenzie Dowrick going down with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. However they may gain Eloise Jones back this week from a foot injury. Fremantle will also have to make at least one change this week, with Dana East suffering a concussion in the loss to Melbourne.

KEY PLAYERS

There are plenty of stars in the Adelaide line up, including skipper Chelsea Randall and midfield pair Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard. Meanwhile for Fremantle, Hayley Miller and Kiara Bowers have been the cornerstone of much of the Dockers attacking pushes this season, as they have since day one.

PREDICTION

To put it short and sweetly Adelaide is in scintillating form at the moment, Fremantle is not just yet, so Adelaide should win easily, though the Dockers are getting better.

By: Alyce Collett

FORM

Both North Melbourne and Brisbane have been two of the teams to beat thus far this season. North Melbourne have lost twice this year, but were the first to beat the Bulldogs and are coming off a big win over Sydney last week. Brisbane on the other hand have only lost once, but have been the pace setters for much of the season.

WHERE IT’S WON

Neither side are really a handballing side, but Brisbane have significantly better kicking numbers than the Kangaroos. They also have had significantly more inside 50s and a significantly better inside 50 efficiency, so they are all areas for Darren Crocker and his team to keep an eye on.

TEAM NEWS

It will not be a huge surprise if both sides come into this match with unchanged line ups. Neither side are expecting to regain anyone off their injury list, and both sides won comfortably last week, so there is no obvious need to change the side.

KEY PLAYERS

The midfield battle between these two sides is sure to be fiercely fought and entertaining to watch. On the one side you have Emily Bates, Ally Anderson and Cathy Svarc, coming up against Ash Riddell, Jenna Bruton and Jasmine Garner.

PREDICTION

This should be a fascinating clash, with it sure to be entertaining for neutrals and non neutrals alike. The clash is at Arden St which will benefit the Kangaroos, but the Lions are a side on a mission this year, and proving very hard for most sides to stop. This is why it should be the visitors who get the win.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

Hawthorn returns to Frankston for Round 7 in a bid to win back-to-back games at the venue, and three consecutive matches in Season 7. After taking care of West Coast in a thriller last round there, the Hawks will be hoping the home crowd support can get them over the line against Port Adelaide. The Power ran into a red-hot Adelaide outfit, but taking away that game, Port has been ultra-competitive this season and arguably should be favourites to take the win, now just two points off the Hawks.

WHERE IT’S WON

Port Adelaide has been far better when its come to winning the ball, and though the lobsided result last round impacted the average, the Power are more than capable of winning it both inside and outside, especially against Hawthorn. Port Adelaide is strong around the clearances and can be dangerous when inside 50, making more of its chances compared to the Hawks. Both these sides are high tackling teams, ranked third and fourth respectively int the competition, so expect a fierce contest.

TEAM NEWS

A huge inclusion for the Hawks could be Kaitlyn Ashmore, who missed last round due to hamstring soreness, while Eliza Shannon is eligible to come out of concussion protocols, and youngster Laura Elliott will undergo a test for her hip complaint. Port Adelaide are still without Elizabeth McGrath and Gemma Houghton for the round, but both are closing in on a return in the final few rounds of Season 7.

KEY PLAYERS

The midfield battle between Jasmine Fleming and Hannah Ewings will be one to watch for many years to come, having starred for their respective states at the AFLW Under 18 Championships. Aileen Gilroy is in outstanding form for the brown and gold and might be one player Port Adelaide looks to put clamps on, while Erin Phillips is such a creative star who can make things happen for the Power.

PREDICTION

Hawthorn is in its best possible form, but Port Adelaide’s full season form against more experienced opponents – bar Adelaide – is rock solid. The Power should win, but will have to navigate an away crowd for the game.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

Both sides hit the road as part of their links to the Country, as the Bombers and Cats descend on Reid Oval in Warrnambool. The Bombers are licking their wounds after being taught a football lesson by Brisbane, and do have a three-game losing streak on their hands, but were competitive against both Collingwood and Richmond. The Cats on the other hand have looked incredibly strong the past fortnight, taking care of St Kilda and then fellow finals hopeful the Western Bulldogs to make it four wins from six games.

WHERE IT’S WON

Geelong is a dominant uncontested ball-winning side, and indeed disposal-winning side overall. With a plus-174 disposal differential putting them third in the league, the Cats are also third for uncontested ball (plus-136) and fifth for contested ball (plus-45). They have proven to be a far better clearance team than the Bombers (plus-17 to minus-34) so Essendon will look to try and change that. Essendon brings the heat each week and can find targets inside 50s, with the ball movement key to being able to score, something the Lions denied them of last week.

TEAM NEWS

Geelong will still be missing Georgie Prespakis due to suspension, robbing fans of a second Prespakis family clash. The Bombers will welcome back Daria Bannister from suspension themselves. Though she was a late inclusion for a sick Kate Darby – who should be available this round – Melissa Bragg made her surprise debut last round.

KEY PLAYERS

The Geelong midfield of Amy McDonald, Rebecca Webster and Nina Morrison is key to stepping up and taking control from the get-go, with Madison Prespakis and Stephanie Cain equally able to get the game on their terms for the Bombers. A potential head-to-head of Bonnie Toogood against Meghan McDonald could be key.

PREDICTION

Geelong has been well-disciplined all year, and even the games it has lost has not been by much. While both sides have great midfields and the Bombers can score heavily when on top, the Cats have a bit too much defensive depth and should come away with a good win.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

One of the premiership favourites, Melbourne has consistently been thereabouts all year, with only a rare loss to Brisbane at Casey Fields being the only blemish in Season 7. After dropping that game to the Lions three weeks ago, the Demons destroyed Carlton, then took care of Fremantle in the west to move to 5-1 for the season and be eyeing off at top four spot. Western Bulldogs have dropped two games in a row since winning their first four, albeit against two finals-bound sides in North Melbourne and Geelong, though this game goes up another degree of difficulty.

WHERE IT’S WON

Both these sides have managed to win the ball significantly well, with Melbourne ranking first in the league for disposal differential and handball differential. The Bulldos rank second for disposals and fourth for handballs, whilst also being third for kick differntial. The visitors’ inside 50 count (plus-52) and efficiency (26.1 per cent) is very good, as is their contested ball-winning ability, with plus-77 ranking them second in the league. Melbourne’s one thorn has been around clearances so the Demons will want to get on top there, though they are so impressive when inside 50, particularly if they can kick straight.

TEAM NEWS

Melbourne’s injury list is slowly shrinking with Casey Sherriff to undergo a test for soreness, while Jordan Ivey will return in the next fortnight. After being a late withdrawal due to neck soreness last round, Sarah Hartwig will be one player the Dogs hope to welcome back for Round 7.

KEY PLAYERS

Melbourne has to get on top in the midfield if the Demons are to win the game. The Bulldogs midfield of Ellie Blackburn, Kirsty Lamb and Jessica Fitzgerald have been superb, while Isabelle Pritchard has thrived in her new wing role. The Dees will look to Tyla Hanks, Olivia Purcell and Karen Paxman to get on top in that battle, while Tayla Harris is another target inside 50 providing presence.

PREDICTION

Melbourne at home in Casey Fields should be enough to get the job done and hand the Dogs their third loss. However the Dogs are not without their chances, particularly given their greatest strength – clearances – is where the Dees have struggled, so if they can get on top in that area, then there could be an upset brewing out in Cranbourne East.

By: Peter Williams

FORM

Collingwood came within a kick of being undefeated heading into this game, but only a loss to Adelaide has ruined an otherwise perfect season. Last week they were challenged by the Saints across four quarters, but came away with a two-point victory thanks to an Eliza James match-winner. The GIANTS were able to respond from the horror show against the Crows in Round 5 – where they lost by a record 96 points and only scored a behind – by knocking off Carlton in Round 6 to win their second game of the season and move up to 13th.

WHERE IT’S WON

GWS like to possess the ball, particularly by hand, so rank higher than the Magpies in those areas, but when it comes to progressing the ball forward, the GIANTS have struggled. Collingwood is third for kick differential and sixth for inside 50s differentil, while also being able to take plenty of marks around the ground. They are nowhere near the GIANTS in uncontested possessions, but have taken 40 more marks than their opponents this season, so move the ball by foot consistently.

TEAM NEWS

Collingwood will welcome back captain Stephanie Chiocci after her suspension that saw her miss the Saints game, while Aishling Sheridan is progressing nicely and is a chance to return earlier than expected from her knee complaint. The GIANTS’ injury list is not pretty reading with four season-ending injuries, but Brid Stack is one player who may return from a calf complaint.

KEY PLAYERS

Chiocci and Sheridan will be welcome returns to the midfield group if the latter returns as well, with Chloe Molloy and Ruby Schleicher holding down the fort consistently well. The Collingwood defence will be steadfast and really limit the GIANTS’ scoring chances, with Lauren Butler and Stacey Livingstone providing the run, while Sophie Casey might get the job on Cora Staunton. Alyce Parker is having a dominant season for the GIANTS, so expect her to feature again heavily, while Zarlie Goldsworthy and Georgia Garnett are dangerous inside 50.

PREDICTION

Collingwood should have too much across the board for the GIANTS, and really limit GWS’ scoring. At home in front of a crowd at Victoria Park, the Magpies will need to win this game if they are going to earn a double chance in finals, with Fremantle (away), North Melbourne and Brisbane (away) to finish off the black and white’s season.