A JAM-PACKED Saturday of action sees five AFL Women’s matches take place for Round 6 across the country. We preview each of those games.

1:05pm
Blacktown ISP

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Neither of these sides have had ideal first halves of the 2023 season. With one win between them, both will be absolutely hungry for a valuable four points today.

History

These two sides have met three times in the past. GWS has won two of those previous three, but crucially for the Eagles they won the most recent meeting, which was just last season.

Key Stat Areas

GWS handball the ball significantly more than West Coast, while the Eagles kick the ball significantly more than the Giants, so today’s clash will be one of very different game styles.

Although both sides have been getting a similar number of inside 50s, the Giants have been significantly less efficient once inside 50 than the Eagles, so that will be something they really have to focus on today. However, the Giants have been doing much better in both tackles and tackling inside 50, so that will be an area for West Coast to keep an eye on today.

Key Match Up/s

Chloe Dalton vs Ella Roberts

Two excellent runners, expect plenty of running play for their respective sides to come from those two. It will be very important for both teams that their opponent in this match up gets quelled, because their opposition’s momentum running forward will also get squashed.

Alyce Parker vs Aisling McCarthy

Moving closer into the midfield, and the core of each team’s midfield is Parker and McCarthy. Two very strong midfielders, they will both be wanting to get the first clearance for their team and ensuring the other does not.

Zarlie Goldsworthy vs Charlotte Thomas

GWS certainly has its fair share of forward options, but perhaps the most versatile and dangerous is Goldsworthy. She can also play midfield as the last few weeks have confirmed, so Thomas or whoever ends up on her will have a fair bit of running to do today.

3:05pm
Casey Fields

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Both of these teams could not be in better places at the halfway point of the season. Both teams are currently undefeated, and looking to keep that record in tact this afternoon.

History

As two original teams of the competition, there is certainly plenty of history between these two sides.

These two have met nine times previously, with Melbourne holding a slight edge in the head to head battle, winning five of the previous nine clashes.

Key Stat Areas

These two teams have very different game styles. Melbourne is renowned for its handball game, while Adelaide is more of a kicking team.

Another interesting area to look at is hit outs versus clearances. Adelaide has been doing better in the hit outs, but Melbourne has been doing better in clearances, both overall and specifically in centre and stoppage clearances.

Both teams are however very strong when it comes to the uncontested ball game, so whoever gets on top in that category may just be the one who prevails on the scoreboard.

Key Match Up/s

Tahlia Gillard vs Caitlin Gould

Gould has really lifted her game this season, and become the tall focal point of Adelaide’s attack. Gillard’s aerial spoil game is certainly going to get a work out today, as the Crows’ initial long feeds into attack are likely to head Gould’s way a lot of the time.

Liv Purcell vs Ebony Marinoff

The clearance queens of their respective sides, any success out of the middle really begins with these two for their respective sides. Both are also completely unafraid of the contest, so will certainly be willing to do anything for their team.

Blaithin Mackin vs Niamh Kelly

The battle of the speedy Irish wingers, these two have really lifted their games this season and become hugely valuable components of their teams. Both are also goal sneaks, and will be looked to to add to the scoreboard.

3:05pm
RSEA Park

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Hawthorn will be hoping to snap a three match losing streak this afternoon, while St Kilda will be hoping to turn its currently two match winning streak into three.

History

These two did meet in Hawthorn’s inaugural season last year, but it was not a happy day for the newbies as the Saints took the win by 53 points.

Key Stat Areas

These two teams have very different game styles. St Kilda is more of a handballing team, while Hawthorn is more of a kicking team.

One area that particularly Hawthorn will need to keep an eye on today is its inside 50 efficiency. It is significantly poorer than St Kilda’s has been, so the Hawks will really need to make the most of their chances today.

Key Match Up/s

Bianca Jakobsson vs Tamara Luke

Luke is the tall focal point in Hawthorn’s forward line, so expect plenty of attacking feeds to head her way. Jakobsson’s aerial game will certainly get a work out today, as her aim will be to spoil or intercept plenty of balls coming Luke’s way.

Jesse Wardlaw vs Mackenzie Eardley

Up the other end, and Wardlaw plays a very similar role for the Saints. Eardley though will also have plenty of running to do as Wardlaw tends to push up as far as halfway.

Tyanna Smith vs Jasmine Fleming

The clearance queens of their respective sides, any success out of the middle really begins with these two for their respective sides. Both provide plenty of run, so stop one and you give yourself a huge advantage.

5:05pm
Alberton Oval

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Port Adelaide will be wanting to bounce back from two poor performances in the past fortnight and get back to the kind of performance that saw them win in Round 3.

The Swans on the other hand almost pulled off a surprise win over Carlton last week, and will take a lot of confidence from that game.

History

These two did meet in their inaugural season last year, with Port getting the win in what turned out to be their only win in their inaugural season.

Key Stat Areas

When it comes to these two sides, there is an interesting disparity between their number of inside 50s and their inside 50 efficiency.

The Swans have had more inside 50s than Port, but the Power’s inside 50 efficiency has been better.

Port has also laid more tackles inside 50 than the Swans, but the Swans have taken more marks inside 50.

Key Match Up/s

Ashleigh Saint vs Brenna Tarrant

Saint is one of the most important components of Port’s forward line, so Tarrant will certainly have plenty to deal with today. Tarrant will also need to get her skates on as Saint does often push up out of the forward line, which does also give Tarrant a chance to trap her outside the forward line.

Gemma Houghton vs Tanya Kennedy

The other most important component to Port Adelaide’s forward make up is Houghton. Smaller and niftier than Saint, Houghton provides a completely different challenge for opposition, but Kennedy might just be the perfect fit to tame this sneaky forward.

Amelie Borg vs Rebecca Privitelli

Up the other end, and the most important forward for the Swans is Privitelli. Her leading and strong marking make her tough to match up on, so Borg or whoever ends up on her is not going to have an easy afternoon.

7:15pm
Brighton Homes Arena

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Brisbane has been chugging along very well so far this season, with only one loss to its name so far this season.

Collingwood on the other hand has had a bit of an up and down season, but will take a lot of confidence from the way it defeated Essendon last week.

History

As two original teams of the competition, there is certainly plenty of history between these two sides.

These two teams have played every season since Season 1, with Brisbane holding a five wins to three lead in the head to head ledger. Crucially for the Lions the last four games between the pair have all been Lions’ wins.

Key Stat Areas

Both of these teams prefer to kick the ball as opposed to handball the ball, so that is not an advantage for either side.

One thing that Collingwood will need to watch out for though is inside 50s and being efficient when in there. When comparing the pair, Brisbane dominate both the number of inside 50s and inside 50 efficiency, so Collingwood are really going to have to make the most of limited chances today.

Key Match Up/s

Phoebe Monahan vs Alana Porter

Last week Porter proved how valuable and how dangerous she can be in Collingwood’s forward line, and she can get out the back and sneak away for a shot at goal. Monahan, or whoever else ends up on her, will always have to keep an eye on where Porter is at all times.

Dakota Davidson vs Lauren Butler

Up the other end, the focal point of Brisbane’s attack is most certainly Davidson. Davidson is a multi skilled weapon in attack for the Lions, so Butler or whoever ends up on her is going to have plenty on their plate today.

Bre Koenen vs Ash Brazill

The battle of the strong, but also very mobile, these two have both proven this season how much they can run, and will certainly be doing plenty of that today matched up on each other. Even if Koenen can trap Brazill up the ground, the Pie has got a monster kick on her, so one kick from her and the smaller, speedier Pies are away.