1:05pm
Henson Park

Recent Form

With only one win combined between the two sides so far this season, both sides will be very keen to take the four points today and use it as a stepping stone of momentum.

History

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

Key Stat Areas

Perhaps a sign of how bad West Coast’s season has started, Sydney is doing significantly better in just about every stat category. The only stats West Coast is winning at the moment are disposal efficiency, stoppage clearances and tackles, which they need to utilise to their full advantage if they want a chance at victory today.

Key Match Up/s

Chloe Molloy vs Charlotte Thomas

Creator of a lot of Sydney’s attacking run, so if West Coast want to win, she has to be stopped. She is named on the half-forward line but will likely transition to the midfield, and Thomas is the perfect player out of West Coast’s defence who can go with Molloy and try and stop her.

Lucy McEvoy vs Ella Roberts

Up the other end, and Roberts is a cog just as crucial to West Coast’s attack as Molloy is to Sydney’s. The Swans do not have too many defenders that are a good match for Roberts, but McEvoy certainly is. The question will be can she keep up with Roberts’ run?

Laura Gardiner vs Aisling McCarthy

As she proved last week, Gardiner can be a real underrated ball-winner for the Swans, and did a lot of work in moving the ball forward for the Swans. McCarthy is a similarly built midfielder, so should provide an interesting match up for Gardiner to try and handle.

1:05pm
UTAS Stadium

Recent Form

Like many seasons gone by, both of these sides have had great starts to the 2023 season, with only one loss combined between the sides.

History

Brisbane has a strong record against the Kangaroos, winning all three previous meetings between the pair. However, the game is in Tasmania, where Brisbane have never played before and North Melbourne have never lost before.

Key Stat Areas

The stats surrounding ball-ups could provide a fascinating insight into how today’s clash may transpire.

North Melbourne has been doing considerably better than Brisbane in the hitouts, overall clearances, and stoppage clearances, while Brisbane have been doing better than the Roos in centre clearances.

Key Match Up/s

Eliza Shannon vs Shannon Campbell

With Dakota Davidson missing from Brisbane’s line up today, Brisbane’s other forwards are going to have to really step up and cover her absence, particularly the taller marketing targets like Campbell. Normally a defender, Campbell proved last week she can also be a handy forward target, so Shannon is certainly going to have her work cut out for her today.

Erika O’Shea vs Courtney Hodder

Speaking of dangerous Brisbane forward targets, Hodder is a very different kind of target to Campbell but arguably even more dangerous. O’Shea is going to have a tough task trying to keep her quiet, but her speed and tenacity makes her the best fit in the North line up to take on the task.

Kate Shierlaw vs Jade Ellenger

Up the other end, and one of North’s biggest weapons is the height of their forwardline, encapsulated by how crucial Shierlaw is to their line up. Ellenger’s height and aerial ability makes her the optimal choice to take on the task of keeping Shierlaw quiet, but it certainly will not be easy.

3:05pm
Windy Hill

Recent Form

Both of these teams come into today’s clash with only one blemish on their 2023 record, so will be keen to nab the four points on offer today and keep their win/loss tally in the positive.

History

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

Key Stat Areas

Essendon has had more disposals so far this season than Fremantle has, but Fremantle has had more inside 50s and has had better efficiency inside forward 50. Although Fremantle has been doing better in the hitouts than Essendon, Essendon’s clearance numbers are better than Fremantle’s across the board.

Key Match Up/s

Ellyse Gamble vs Aine Tighe

One of the toughest forwards to match up on in the league, whoever draws the short straw to match-up on Tighe is not going to have a straight forward afternoon. However, the job will realistically fall to Gamble and she will certainly give Tighe a fair run for her money.

Bonnie Toogood vs Laura Pugh

Up the other end Fremantle’s defenders have a similar problem in trying to keep Toogood quiet. It will not be easy for whoever ends up on Toogood, but likely choice Pugh is going to have to really watch Toogood’s marking game.

Madison Prespakis vs Kiara Bowers

One of the most tantalising match-ups we might see in the whole competition this season, two of the competition’s best midfielders are set to go head to head today. Both are tough and unafraid of the contest, so this will be a fun match up to watch, for neutrals and non-neutrals alike.

3:05pm
RSEA Park

Recent Form

Both of these teams will be unhappy with the way their seasons have started, so will be keen to get the four points on offer today and really get things going.

History

Today’s meeting between the sides will be the fourth side these two sides have met, but the recent history is not a favourable one for St Kilda. Collingwood have won all three of the previous meetings between the sides, but when they met in Season 7 it was only a two point margin.

Key Stat Areas

St Kilda is more of a handballing side, while Collingwood have been more of a kicking side so far this season. Collingwood has also been doing better than St Kilda in both the hitouts and the clearances across the board, so that is something St Kilda are going to have to be particularly mindful of today.

Key Match Up/s

Bianca Jakobsson vs Nell Morris-Dalton

Morris-Dalton is the tall, key target in Collingwood’s forward line, and her aerial game in particular is something St Kilda will have to watch out for. Luckily for the Saints, they have Jakobsson, who is more than up to the task of matching Morris-Dalton in the air.

Tyanna Smith vs Brittany Bonnici

Two players of similar builds, Smith and Bonnici play similar roles for their respective sides, and are arguably just as important as each other to their respective sides. Due to injury these two have not been able to match up on each other for a few years, but are sure to provide an entertaining battle this afternoon.

Hannah Priest vs Mikala Cann

Much like Smith an Bonnici, Priest and Cann play similar roles to each other for their respective sides. They provide plenty of that outside run moving into attack, so if one can keep the other quiet that will be a crucial boost for their team.

5:05pm
Heritage Bank Stadium

Recent Form

Gold Coast has had just about its best start to a season in their history, with one inaccurate kicking display short of a perfect start to the season. The Bulldogs on the other hand have not been performing as well, still searching for their first win of 2023.

History

In a pretty unique situation in the AFLW, neither team has ever beaten the other. That is because their single meeting – back in Season 6 – was a draw.

Key Stat Areas

Perhaps indicative of how their respective seasons are going, the stat comparison between these two sides is not close. Gold Coast is doing considerably better in just about every stat, so the Bulldogs are going to have a lot on their mind today to try and secure that win.

Key Match Up/s

Clara Fitzpatrick vs Gabrielle Newton

Newton is the regular tall target in the Bulldogs’ forward line, and her aerial game in particular is something Gold Coast will have to watch out for. Luckily for the Suns, they have Fitzpatrick, who matches up to Newton well physically.

Tara Bohanna vs Katie Lynch

Up the other end, and Bohanna is a crucial cog in the Suns’ forward progression from mid to attack, and the Bulldogs will need a tall defender who can run to try and keep up with Bohanna. Luckily they have Lynch, who can do that and has the aerial ability to match Bohanna in the air.

Jamie Stanton vs Isabella Grant

Last time the Suns were at home it was a day to remember for Stanton, booting six majors in her milestone game, so expect her to be a hassle again for the Dogs’ defenders today. Although Grant is likely the best physical match up to Stanton, anyone who matches up on her is going to have a crucial job.