1:05pm
RSEA Park

Recent Form

Both teams have had a winless fortnight to begin the season, so will be keen to avoid that run continuing this afternoon.

History

These two sides met once last season in Port Adelaide’s inaugural season, and in a nail-biter it was the Saints who prevailed by two points.

Key Stat Areas

Port Adelaide is more of a kicking side than the Saints are, but the Saints are more of a handballing side than their opponents. Both sides have to also lift their inside 50 efficiency as it has been very poor for both of them across the start of the season.

Key Match Up/s

Bianca Jakobsson vs Ashleigh Saint

Saint is one half of Port Adelaide’s powerful froward duo, and stopping her has proven crucial to getting on top of the Power. She is more of the tall target who does not lead, so the task may fall to Jakobsson in her milestone match to combat Saint strength wise and take away her marking ability.

Grace Kelly vs Gemma Houghton

The other half of Power’s dominant forward duo is Houghton, but St Kilda need someone who can just run with Houghton and spoil the ball any time it comes anywhere near her. Enter Kelly, who in only two games at the Saints has already proven to be just the kind of player St Kilda need to fill that role.

Jaimee Lambert vs Abbey Dowrick

Both similar types of midfielders playing very similar roles for their respective sides, Lambert and Dowrick are sure to provide an interesting match up to watch. It is also an untried match up which makes things more interesting, as last time these two sides met Lambert was a Magpie.

3:05pm
Mineral Resources Park

Recent Form

West Coast has started the season winless in the opening fortnight, while Carlton just got past Gold Coast in Round 1 – the side that smashed the Eagles in Round 2 – before suffering a forgettable defeat against North Melbourne.

History

Today is a historic one between these two in the sense that it is the first time they will play each other in the AFLW competition.

Key Stat Areas

One thing that Carlton in particular need to lift is its inside 50 efficiency, which is considerably worse than West Coast’s has been this season.

On the flipside, West Coast’s contested possession game has been significantly worse than Carlton’s this season so that is an area for it to focus on heading into today.

Key Match Up/s

Evie Gooch vs Darcy Vescio

Vescio is Carlton’s most dangerous weapon up forward, and whoever goes to them is going to have their work cut out for them.

The task may fall down to Gooch as West Coast’s most experience defender, who is still a similar type of player to Vescio but just a defender as opposed to a forward.

Sophie McDonald vs Phoebe McWilliams

Carlton’s other forward weapon to watch is McWilliams, and much like Gooch and Vescio, it may fall to McDonald to stop McWilliams because the pair match up well physically.

Dana Hooker vs Mimi Hill

Both similar types of midfielders playing very similar roles for their respective sides, Hooker and Hill are sure to provide an interesting match up to watch. If one is able to keep the either quiet, that is sure to make the job of their team a lot easier.

3:05pm
Victoria Park

Recent Form

Both teams come into this match with their win/loss ratio at one and one, and keen to put that ledger in the positive. They are also both coming off big wins last week, so will be keen to keep that momentum going.

History

Today is a historic one between these two in the sense that it is the first time they will play each other in the AFLW competition.

Key Stat Areas

Perhaps largely thanks to the scale of their win last week, Gold Coast are currently doing significantly better than Collingwood in a number of areas, including disposals, hit outs and clearances.

However, one thing Collingwood can really lift is its inside 50 efficiency, which is significantly worse than Gold Coast’s and is something not generally dictated by winning margins like some of the other stats.

Key Match Up/s

Selena Karlson vs Tara Bohanna

Bohanna is a crucial link for the Suns between midfield and attack, so Collingwood need someone who can keep up with Bohanna and her tendency to go for a run. That task may fall to Karlson who has the best tank to keep up with her.

Brianna Davey vs Claudia Whitfort

Although not an obvious matchup from a physical sense, both play the exact same role for their respective sides, and as such have similar levels of importance to their teams. If one is able to take out the other’s influence, their team is going to get a huge boost.

Nell Morris-Dalton vs Lauren Ahrens

One of Collingwood’s most exciting forward targets is Morris-Dalton, who has certainly made an impact in her first fortnight in black and white. Ahrens is sure to not have an easy afternoon keeping up with Morris-Dalton’s runs to lead.

5:05pm
Brighton Homes Arena

Recent Form

Both teams come into the clash with their win/loss ratio at one and one, and keen to put that ledger in the positive with a win today. However, it is the Lions who are coming in with winning momentum as the Swans lost in Round 2.

History

Today is a historic one between these two in the sense that it is the first time they will play each other in the AFLW competition.

Key Stat Areas

Brisbane is a significantly higher tackling side than Sydney, so that is something to keep an eye on for the Swans today. On the flipside, Sydney’s inside 50 efficiency has been better than Brisbane’s has so far this season, so that is an area for the home side to keep an eye on today.

Key Match Up/s

Dakota Davidson vs Brenna Tarrant

Davidson is the big tall target for the Lions in attack these days, and the first choice for midfielders feeding the ball in a lot of the time. Tarrant is going to have her work cut out for her today, but is the best placed of the Swans’ defenders to take on a challenge like Davidson.

Shannon Campbell vs Rebecca Privitelli

Up the other end, Privitelli plays a similar role for the Swans, and Campbell is the one likely to be tasked with shutting her down and ensuring she cannot successfully mark a ball coming in. Much of Sydney’s attacking momentum comes through Privitelli, so it is something for the Brisbane defence to be mindful of.

Ally Anderson vs Chloe Molloy

Two midfielders with plenty of prestige in the game, and plenty of importance to their teams in terms of getting the ball out of the middle and getting forward momentum. Both are also not afraid of the contest one bit, so expect to go hard at the contest all day.