THE AFLW finals puzzle continues to get written today as five matches are on the calendar, including a Grand Final rematch.

1:05pm
Whitten Oval

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The Kangaroos come into this game looking for a win to lock in a top fourth berth, while the Bulldogs will be looking for a win to finish a tough year on a high.

History

Despite both having been in the competition for much of its existence, today will only be the fourth meeting between the side. However, North certainly has the wood over the Dogs, having never lost to them previously.

Key Stat Areas

One area that the Bulldogs in particular will need to be mindful of today is inside 50 efficiency. Already likely to be starved of opportunities, their inside 50 efficiency has been poor this season so it does not spell positive things for them.

For a similar reason they will also need to be mindful of their clearances.

Key Match Up/s

Gabrielle Newton vs Emma Kearney

Deprived of tall marking forward targets, the Bulldogs have no choice but to swing the versatile Newton forward today. Although not necessarily the most obvious matchup for her height wise, Kearney can match her in physical strength, and then use her rebounding ability to propel North forward.

Rylie Wilcox vs Taylah Gatt

The two speedsters, both Wilcox and Gatt provide much needed speed in transition for their respective sides. It will be crucial to keeping them quiet today so their team does not get attacking momentum.

Isabelle Pritchard vs Kate Shierlaw

Of all the weeks to be deprived of tall defenders, this was probably one of the worst for the Western Bulldogs. Young Pritchard has a huge job today, having to take on the might of Shierlaw.

3:05pm
Alberton Oval

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Neither of these teams can make finals, but both will be keen to bounce back from frustrating games last week and finish the year on a high.

History

A little bit of history is set to be created tonight, with these two teams playing each other for the first time in the AFL Women’s.

Key Stat Areas

Port is more of a kicking team than a handballing one, while the Giants are the opposite.

One area that particularly GWS will need to be mindful of today is its inside 50 efficiency. The Giants’ inside 50 figures aren’t particularly worse than Port Adelaide’s, but their inside 50 efficiency figure is.

Key Match Up/s

Ashleigh Saint vs Pepa Randall

A lot of Port’s scoring comes through Saint, so Randall has a big job today in trying to keep her quiet. Randall is certainly up for the challenge though, with her running and spoiling ability.

Ebony O’Dea vs Zarlie Goldsworthy

Up the other end, and Goldsworthy is absolutely crucial to the attacking success of the Giants, both in midfield and in the forward line. O’Dea is a good match up for Goldsworthy, particularly physically, and will certainly test the young star.

Matilda Scholz vs Fleur Davies

As the saying goes, everything starts with the ruck, and this ruck battle is a particularly interesting one. They are two of the best young rucks in the competition, but who will ultimately prevail?

5:05pm
GMHBA Stadium

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Geelong will be looking to bag a win to secure a spot in the finals, while Hawthorn will be looking to finish the year on a high with one last win.

History

A little bit of history is set to be created tonight, with these two teams playing each other for the first time in the AFL Women’s.

Key Stat Areas

Hawthorn has a slightly better hitouts tally, but Geelong has been doing significantly better in the clearances than the Hawks have.

Geelong’s uncontested possession game has also been particularly strong this season, so that should be an area of focus for the Hawks today.

Key Match Up/s

Aishling Moloney vs Mackenzie Eardley

Although Moloney has been quiet for a few weeks, the Cats being back at GMHBA means that the Irishwoman is primed for a big game. As a similar match up for Moloney physically Eardley is likely to be the one to get the job on her, and is going to have a big job if she does.

Jacqueline Parry vs Jenna Richardson

Parry is in particularly ripping form, especially after last week. Richardson is probably the one that will go to her based on previous match ups she has had this season, and will have to remember to continuously play in front to stop Parry’s leading ability.

Georgie Prespakis vs Jasmine Fleming

This is sure to be an enthralling battle for neutrals and fans alike. Two of the young stars of the competition, both clearance queens for their respective sides and both play a huge role in the midfield success of their teams.

5:05pm
Mineral Resources Park

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The Crows come into this game looking for a big win to take top spot, while the Eagles will be looking for a win to finish a tough year on a high.

History

These two have met twice in their history. It was in back to back seasons (five and six) and both times the Crows came away comfortable winners.

Key Stat Areas

Perhaps a tale of their respective seasons, Adelaide is absolutely dominating West Coast in just about every stat. From inside 50s to clearances, inside 50 efficiency to marks, there is not really a stat that the two teams are comparable, so West Coast certainly has its work cut out for it today.

Key Match Up/s

Sophie McDonald vs Caitlin Gould

Gould is the focal point of Adelaide’s attacking set up, so McDonald is going to have a big job this afternoon. The pair are similar heights so it will come down to physical strength in the contest.

Aisling McCarthy vs Ebony Marinoff

Speaking of strength, that’s something these two have in spades. Two of the toughest midfielders of the competition, they are both ultra competitive so will not rest until they have achieved success for their team. The question will be will McCarthy play a tagging role on Marinoff or just a normal opponent role?

Ella Roberts vs Sarah Goodwin

Roberts has been an absolute star for the Eagles this year in what has been a pretty tough year, so expect nothing less this afternoon. It may be fellow young star Sarah Goodwin who draws the short straw and has to keep Roberts contained today.

7:05pm
Brighton Homes Arena

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Both of these teams come into today’s clash with plenty on the line. Brisbane ia fighting for a top four spot while the Dees are trying to secure the minor premiership.

History

As two original teams of the competition, there is certainly plenty of history between these teams, from their first clash in wild conditions down at Casey right up until last year’s Grand Final.

Currently the head to head ledger sits at two wins Brisbane and six wins Melbourne.

Key Stat Areas

Brisbane is more of a kicking side than a handballing one, while the Dees are renowned for being the opposite of that.

Brisbane has a better stoppage clearance tally this season than the Dees this season, but the Dees are blitzing the Lions in the stoppage clearances.

Key Match Up/s

Dakota Davidson vs Tahlia Gillard

Although Brisbane’s forward line looks very different to what it did Grand Final day last year, Davidson is still there and still causing plenty of trouble. Gillard played a big role defensively in the Grand Final last year, so it will not be a surprise if she gets another one tonight.

Orla O’Dwyer vs Blaithin Mackin

The battle of the speedy Irishwomen, these two provide plenty of attacking power for their sides. They certainly provided an entertaining battle during the regular season last year in what was Mackin’s debut, so it will not be a surprise if they do it again tonight.

Tayla Harris vs Shannon Campbell

After a few weeks out, Harris is back tonight and will be aiming to stretch the Brisbane defence that is not overly blessed with height but is certainly physically strong. Campbell or whoever else ends up on Harris will be aiming to use their physical strength to push Harris out of marking contests and keep her grounded.