11:05am
Manuka Oval

Recent Form

These two could not be coming into this clash with records more different than each other. Adelaide is currently sitting comfortably with an undefeated start to the season, while GWS is yet to get its campaign really going yet.

History

As two original teams of the competition, there is certainly plenty of history between these two sides. Unfortunately for GWS its not one that’s positive in their favour. Adelaide have won five of the seven meetings between the pair, while GWS has won just the one, with one draw.

Key Stat Areas

Unsurprisingly considering how their seasons have gone thus far, these teams could not be further apart on the stats front, with Adelaide dominating just about every stats category.

However, the main areas GWS need to focus on are Adelaide’s handball game and uncontested possession game, which once both get going are just so dominant and very hard to stop.

Key Match Up/s

Annalyse Lister vs Ebony Marinoff

Marinoff is one of the competition’s premier midfielders for a reason, and one of the key cogs in any clearance win for the Crows, so is likely to receive a bit of a tagging job today. That job may just fall to the experienced head of Lister, who has proven she can do an effective tagging job.

Georgia Garnett vs Chelsea Biddell

If GWS want any hope of scoring today, it need Garnett up and firing. Once up and about she is a very dangerous target for the Giants, so Biddell as that number one shutdown defender for the Crows may just find herself having to tame the lively Giant.

Alyce Parker vs Anne Hatchard

Two similar midfielders that play similar roles who are just as important for their respective sides, Parker and Hatchard are crucial for their respective sides in getting on top in the midfield battle. They are both also unafraid of the tougher contests, so expect them to leave it all on the park this morning.

1:05pm
Ikon Park

Recent Form

Both of these teams currently sit at two wins and one loss heading into Round 4, so need the win today to keep the momentum of their season going. Both teams are also coming into this week’s match off big wins last weekend, so have momentum coming in and will be looking for it to continue.

History

These two have played three times in their history. Carlton won the first two times these teams met, but crucially the most recent meeting – Round 8 in Season 7 – it was the Tigers who got the win.

Key Stat Areas

Carlton is more of a handballing side, while Richmond is very much a kicking side. The Blues are also more efficient with the ball so far this season, but the Tigers have been considerably more efficient inside 50.

The clearance battle is also a fascinating stat to read ahead of today. Carlton are doing considerably better in the hit outs and centre clearances, but when it comes to overall clearances and stoppage clearances, it is the Tigers who have been doing better.

Key Match Up/s

Phoebe McWilliams vs Maddie Shevlin

A cornerstone of Carlton’s attacking set up, McWilliams is that tall target Carlton rely on in their forward line. However, Shevlin lines up on McWilliams physically very similarly, so it will not be an easy afternoon for McWilliams.

Harriet Cordner vs Katie Brennan

Up the other end, if Carlton want any hope of victory they must keep Brennan quiet, who is not only a goal kicker but that key link between midfield and attack. The task might just fall to the shoulders of the veteran Cordner, but should just have the experience and run to give the Tigers’ skipper a challenge.

Darcy Vescio vs Monique Conti

Another player Carlton have to stop in order to get the win this afternoon is Conti, who is the key to any midfield success the Tigers have.

Although normally a forward, Vescio has been listed as a midfielder for today’s game, and certainly has the run and grunt to give Conti a hard time.

1:05pm
Alberton Oval

Recent Form

Port come into this clash off the back of its first win of the season, and the highs and confidence that come with that. Geelong on the other hand, come into today’s clash off the back of their first loss of 2023, so will be looking to bounce back quickly.

History

A little bit of history will be created today at Alberton, as these teams are meeting for the first time for premiership points.

Key Stat Areas

Although Port Adelaide has been doing better in the hitouts this season than Geelong, the Cats have been doing better in every clearance category, so fixing that will be crucial for Port’s chances of a win today.

Uncontested possessions is another area Port need to keep an eye on, with Geelong doing significantly better in that category so far this season, to the tune of 204 touches.

Key Match Up/s

Janelle Cuthbertson vs Jacqueline Parry

Although Geelong have plenty of forwardline options, both tall and small, Parry is the strongest and most crucial of the tall targets, with her leading and marking ability a real weapon for her team. Cuthbertson on paper is the best fit to try and contain Parry, but certainly will not have an easy afternoon trying to do so.

Ashleigh Saint vs Meghan McDonald

Up the other end, and it is a similar situation with Saint, who is that tall marking target for the Power. McDonald is the tallest of Geelong’s defender so is a natural fit to go to Saint, but also matches up on her well so should give her a good run for her money.

Amy McDonald vs Abbey Dowrick

Back in the middle, and the midfield battle is such a crucial one to win, and today it will all start with these two. They are both players who play a similar role for their sides, and will be the first ones at the bottom of the pack trying to get the clearance out for their respective sides.