11:05am
Heritage Bank Stadium

Recent Form

Both of these teams come into this clash off a loss in Round 1 and will be keen to bounce back and get their first win for 2023 on the board. Gold Coast lost to Carlton in Round 1 despite an epic final quarter comeback, while West Coast went down to cross town rivals Fremantle.

History

Despite these teams being in the penultimate round of expansion, there is already a decent history between the two sides.

However, that history does favour the Suns, who have won three of the four encounters between the sides, including both the clashes in the 2022 calendar year. The only time West Coast got the chocolates over the Suns was back in Round 5 of the 2021 season.

Key Stat Areas

One of the big areas Gold Coast need to keep an eye on this week is their inside 50 efficiency. Not only did it cost them the win last week, but West Coast were plus-20.8 compared to Gold Coast’s +2.9.

Another area West Coast can look to target is clearances, particularly stoppage clearances. Last week Gold Coast were +10 in hit outs, but minus-four in clearances and minus-three in stoppage clearances. This is compared to West Coast’s minus-six, plus-16 and plsus-19 respectively in the same categories.

Another interesting thing to watch out for this morning is that neither side were big tackling teams last week, finishing with minus-13 (Gold Coast) and minus-10 (West Coast) respectively.

Key Match Up/s

Tara Bohanna vs Sophie McDonald

While not only being a strong marking target in the forward line, Bohanna also does the same for the Suns further up the ground, so West Coast need someone who is tall enough but can also run with her. Enter McDonald, who is not only taller than Bohanna but has the run to go with her.

Claudia Whitfort vs Ella Roberts

Two small, quick mids who have the power in their kicks to really set up an attack for their side, this is sure to be an entertaining battle.

Charlie Rowbottom vs Emma Swanson

Similar to the battle between Roberts and Whitfort, these two are more the bigger bodied midfielders who are not afraid to get to the bottom of the pack in search of the ball, but can really be the instigators of a chain of possession out of a stoppage.

1:05pm
Alberton Oval

Recent Form

Both of these sides come into this match off a Round 1 loss, so will be keen to bounce back today.

Port Adelaide could not get over the top of Adelaide last week in the Showdown, while Brisbane suffered a surprise loss to Richmond.

History

A little bit of history will be made at Alberton this afternoon as this is the first time these two sides have met in the AFL Women’s.

Key Stat Areas

Both teams lost a number of crucial stats last week, but Brisbane did better than Port did in many key areas.

Brisbane crucially did a lot better in clearances and uncontested possessions, which although they lost both categories against Richmond should hold them in good stead against Port.

One category both teams did well in last week was tackles, which they both won, but Brisbane did better in this category too (plus-23 compared to Port’s plus-four).

Key Match Up/s

Ashleigh Saint and Gemma Houghton vs Shannon Campbell and Bre Koenen

Last week Port Adelaide’s momentum really correlated with how much Saint and Houghton were having an influence on the game. So, if Brisbane want to get the win Campbell and Koenen, and to a lesser extend the entire Brisbane defence, will want to make sure their influence is taken out of the equation as quick as possible.

Angela Foley vs Orla O’Dwyer

Irishwoman O’Dwyer creates a lot of run off the wing for Brisbane, so it will be the job of Foley to keep pace with her and match her contest strength.

1:05pm
North Sydney Oval

Recent Form

Both teams actually come into the clash after a win in Round 1.

Sydney come into this clash off a historic first ever win in their history, while Geelong made a statement in their Round 1 win.

History

Sydney will certainly be hoping history does not repeat itself this afternoon as the last time these two sides met the Cats won by 75 points to cap off a winless debut season for the Swans.

Key Stat Areas

One area the Swans are going to have to really keep an eye on with regards to Geelong’s game is the marks and uncontested possessions count.

Geelong finished plus-62 in uncontested possessions last week, which is significantly better than Sydney’s plus-one in the same category against the Giants. Meanwhile Geelong finished plus-27 in the marks category, which is significantly higher than Sydney’s plus-4, and with the number of marks Geelong’s forwards took last week is hardly surprising.

Key Match Up/s

Ally Morphett vs Erin Hoare

Morphett was one of the stars of the Swans’ historic win last week, but faces a much tougher challenge this week in the Cats’ ruck Hoare. Although she has been out the game a few years, Hoare has slotted back into this level well, and will provide a big step up for the young Morphett.

Chloe Molloy vs Amy McDonald

The cornerstones of their respective sides’ wins last week, the pair are both tough nuts that are not afraid to work at the bottom of packs. Likely to start against each other, it will depend on whether or not they are tasked with tagging each other out of the game.

Alexia Hamilton vs Jacqueline Parry

Parry starred for the Cats last week, creating a strong marking target up forward and kicking three majors, so the Swans will need to make sure she cannot make the same kind of impact this week.

That task may be given to Hamilton, who returns to the side this week and can match Parry for the height. The question will be, can she match her for leap and strength, which will be a great challenge for the Swan.