FIVE AFL Women’s matches take place across a hectic Saturday, with Round 7 providing plenty of finals hopefuls facing off.

1:05pm
RSEA Park

Recent Form

St Kilda come into today’s clash full of confidence and looking to create some more history and win a fourth match in a row for the first time in itds history.

The Giants on the other hand will be looking to build on last week’s breakthrough first win of the season.

History

Today’s match will be the third between these two sides in the history of the AFL Womens.

Interestingly though, it is GWS who has the wood over the Saints, with both of the previous two meetings going the way of those in orange.

Key Stat Areas

St Kilda is doing better than GWS at the moment in the contested possessions, but GWS is doing better in the uncontested possessions. The Saints prefer to kick the ball more than handball it, whereas GWS prefers to handball it more than kick it.

Key Match Up/s

Jaimee Lambert vs Alyce Parker

The two midfield bulls of their respective sides, these two will be first to the bottom of the contest and not afraid to push their way through a contest to further their team in the game. They also match up on each other pretty well, so should provide an entertaining one on one battle.

Nicola Xenos vs Katherine Smith

Coming back this week after suspension, Xenos just adds to the marking targets St Kilda have in their forward line. She is also a bit of a runner, so Smith or whoever ends up on her will always have to be mindful of where she is.

Grace Kelly vs Zarlie Goldsworthy

Up the other end, it is Goldsworthy who provides a similar role for the Giants as Xenos does for the Saints. Luckily for the Saints they have Kelly, who has really grown as a defender this year and her intercept game has really grown.

3:05pm
GMHBA Stadium

Recent Form

Both these teams sit in very similar positions coming into this weekend. Both currently sit at three wins and three losses for the season, and are both coming off disappointing losses so will be very keen to bounce back this week.

History

These two teams have met three times previously.

Although Walyalup won the first two clashes, crucially it was Geelong who won the most recent clash between the pair.

Key Stat Areas

The Cats are more handballers than kickers, while Walyalup is the opposite.

One area for particularly Walyalup to focus on is the hit outs and clearances, both of which the Cats are doing much better than the Dockers in this season.

Key Match Up/s

Meghan McDonald vs Aine Tighe

Tighe is one of the most important targets for Fremantle in their forward line, and stopping her is going to be crucial for the Cats in order to get the win. As the tallest defender it is likely that McDonald will get the job on Tighe, but whoever it is certainly will not have an easy job.

Amy McDonald vs Hayley Miller

The starting point of any clearance for their respective sides, these two are quick, smart and absolutely vital for midfield dominance for their respective teams.

Rachel Kearns vs Orlagh Lally

Lally is another vital cog in Fremantle’s forward line, who can be quick and a bit nifty with ball in hand. It may become the battle of the Irish as Kearns has the speed and grunt to match it with Lally.

3:05pm
Henson Park

Recent Form

Sydney is chugging along nicely at the moment, still firmly in the race for an inaugural finals berth. Hawthorn however will be frustrated be its past few weeks of results, and no doubt keen to turn things around this week.

History

These two sides met in their inaugural season last year, and it was the Hawks who were victorious in what was their first ever win in the AFL Women’s.

Key Stat Areas

Both these sides tend to prefer to kick the ball more than handball it, so how that matches up will be interesting to see.

One area for particularly Hawthorn to focus on is the hitouts and clearances, both of which the Swans are doing much better than the Hawks in this season.

Key Match Up/s

Ally Morphett vs Lucy Wales

It all stars in the middle as the old saying goes, and a battle between two of the young and upcoming star rucks of the competition is sure to provide an entertaining battle. Morphett has really grown in ability and confidence this season, but can Wales stop her?

Laura Gardiner vs Tilly Lucas-Rodd

Gardiner is another who has really grown this season, and has proven to be quite the ball magnet for the Swans. But the Hawks skipper has the muscle to match it with Gardiner, so can Lucas-Rodd stop her influence?

Sofia Hurley vs Aileen Gilroy

The battle of the two speedy wingers, both are important cogs to the attacking drive of their sides, so who will come out on top and provide their team with the most influence?

5:05pm
Heritage Bank Stadium

Recent Form

These two teams for the first time in their history sit in very similar positions. Fifth vs fourth on the ladder with four wins and two losses to each team, so expect this to be a particularly fiery Q Clash.

History

As the two Queensland clubs in the AFLW, there sure is plenty of history between these two sides, although the history is not a pretty one for Suns fans. Apart from the draw back in the inaugural clash, it has been a sea of maroon, blue and gold as Brisbane have won the three clashes since.

Key Stat Areas

Gold Coast has been significantly more a handballing side than Brisbane has this season, whereas for the Lions it is the total opposite.

One area Gold Coast will need to be mindful of today is in its inside 50 efficiency, which has been significantly worse than Brisbane’s this season.

Key Match Up/s

Lucy Single vs Ally Anderson

Anderson is a very influential midfielder and has been so for quite some time, but she may meet her match today in Single. Single has quietened some of the competition’s best this season, so will Anderson become her latest victim?

Vivien Saad vs Dakota Davidson

It is well known how influential Davidson can be on a game, so Saad or whoever ends up on her is going to have a busy day. The Suns defender that ends up on her must always play in front to stop Davidson being able to lead for and mark the ball.

Tara Bohanna vs Breanna Koenen

Up the other end, it is also well known how influential Bohanna is for the Suns. Koenen is likely to be the one stuck with trying to keep the Suns skipper quiet because she has both the height and the running capacity to match it with her.

7:20pm
Ikon Park

Recent Form

Today’s clash is very crucial for both these teams.

Richmond currently sit in ninth with an even ledger of three wins and three losses, while Essendon is a win ahead of Richmond in seventh, so will want this win to further cement its place in the eight.

History

These two sides did meet in Essendon’s inaugural season last year, and in a close fight it was the Tigers who prevailed.

Key Stat Areas

Essendon has been significantly more a handballing side than Brisbane has this season, whereas the total opposite can be said for Richmond.

Richmond has had more inside 50s this season than the Bombers have, but once inside 50 it is the Bombers who have been more efficient.

Key Match Up/s

Eilish Sheerin vs Bonnie Toogood

Toogood is the key forward target for the Bombers, with her leading and marking ability second to none. However the Tigers do have Sheerin, who has the pace and running capacity to easily match it with Toogood.

Katie Brennan vs Ellyse Gamble

Up the other end, it is Brennan who is the equivalent of Toogood for the Tigers, so Gamble or whoever else ends up on the Tigers star is not going to have an easy evening. They are also going to have to do a lot of running, as Brennan truly is that link between the midfield and forward line for the Tigers.

Monique Conti vs Madison Prespakis

Perhaps the most enticing match up of the entire weekend, these two are some of the best midfielders in the competition for a reason and will provide plenty of entertainment having to battle each other for fans and neutrals alike. They are also hugely competitive, so will not stop until they have achieved success for their respective teams.