A MASSIVE Sunday of action takes place in the AFL Women’s to conclude Round 5 of action and we preview each of the games.

1:05pm
Arden St Oval

Recent Form

These two teams could not be coming into this match off more different runs of form. North Melbourne was undefeated until the Roos were pipped at the post last week by Brisbane, while GWS have yet to register a win in 2023.

History

These two have met three times since North Melbourne joined the competition back in Season 3. The history spells good news for North Melbourne, with the Kangaroos having never lost to the Giants, and have always beaten them by about two to three goals.

Key Stat Areas

Perhaps as a result of how their respective seasons, have started, North Melbourne is doing a lot better in many of the stats categories than GWS.

One area that GWS will really need to focus on though is inside 50 efficiency. It has been significantly poorer than North’s this season, so no matter how many inside 50 the Giants get today, they really need to make the most of their opportunities.

Key Match Up/s

Emma King vs Pepa Randall

One absolute weapon North has at its disposal is its forward line, and King is a huge part of that. Randall’s aerial game is going to get a huge work out today as King is very strong above the head and uses that to her advantage.

Kate Shierlaw vs Tarni Evans

Evans is also not going to have an easy day at the office, as Shierlaw is another component of North’s tall and very strong forward line. Shierlaw tends to be a lot more mobile than King, which means she is more likely to be the one Evans ends up on as opposed to any of the other defenders.

Jasmine Garner vs Alyce Parker

These two are both absolutely crucial to the success of their teams, so if one gets shut out of the game it is going to give the other team a huge boost. Also, as Brisbane proved last week it is possible to shut Garner out of the game, but will Parker be the one to do it and still manage to have an influence on the game herself?

3:05pm
Kinetic Stadium

Recent Form

Hawthorn come into today’s clash off the back of a frustrating performance against Melbourne, while Brisbane come into the clash off a confidence boosting win over North Melbourne.

History

These two did meet once during Hawthorn’s inaugural season last year, where Brisbane ran out comfortable 54 point winners.

Key Stat Areas

Perhaps as a result of how their respective seasons, have started, Brisbane are doing a lot better in many of the stats categories than the Hawks are.

One area for Hawthorn it needs to really step up in today is the uncontested poessesions, which is perhaps its biggest disparity when compared to the Lions.

Key Match Up/s

Jenna Richardson vs Dakota Davidson

After a week on the sidelines, Davidson is back and ready to make an impact again for the Lions. She is the Lions’ main leading target in their forward line, so Richardson will not only have a lot of running to do today, but will need to be prepared to attempt plenty of spoils.

Emily Bates vs Ally Anderson

A pair of former teammates face off for the first time, and these two clearance machines will be keen to not only get on top of the other in the midfield battle, but have a better game than the other.

Greta Bodey vs Orla O’Dwyer

Another pair of former teammates set to go head to head, their run is what makes these two so valuable. Although normally a forward, Bodey has shown she has a bit of a tank so is set to give the wing a bit of a go today, but will not have an easy time of it trying to keep up with O’Dwyer.

5:05pm
Unley Oval

Recent Form

Adelaide is chugging along nicely at the moment and still remain undefeated to start 2023. Gold Coast on the other hand has also put together one of its best starts to a season in its history, and so far only have one loss to their name.

History

Despite this being Gold Coast’s fourth season in the competition, they have only played the Crows once. It was back in Season 6, and it was a happy day for the Crows, who went on to win by 70 points.

Key Stat Areas

Despite what many might suspect, these two actually match up fairly well in many of the stats areas. However, there are a few disparities.

Adelaide is more of a kicking side, while the Suns significantly prefer to handball. The one area where there is a huge difference and is something that the Suns in particular need to watch is inside 50 efficiency. Adelaide’s is significantly better than Gold Coast’s, so so no matter how many inside 50 the Suns get today, they really need to make the most of their opportunities.

Key Match Up/s

Ebony Marinoff vs Charlie Rowbottom

Two absolute bulls of the midfield, these two are not afraid of the contest, so expect to find them both at the bottom of plenty of contests today. They are also the first link in the midfield clearance chains for their respective sides, so if one quells the influence of the other that will give a huge boost to their team.

Chelsea Biddell vs Jamie Stanton

The past few weeks in particular Stanton has really lifted her game, and has started to make a huge influence on the success the Suns are enjoying this season. She will not have an easy game today though, with Biddell in a run of form just as strong.

Chelsea Randall vs Tara Bohanna

Two tall, high flying aerialists are set to battle it out today as the respective captains are set to line up on each other today. Bohanna is that link between the midfield and the forwards for the Suns, but Randall has the tank and intercept ability to really stop Bohanna’s influence today.