THIS weekend’s second AFLW elimination final sees 2022 finalists Geelong hosting finals debutants Essendon.

Today at 1:05pm
GMHBA Stadium

How They Got Here

For Geelong, it is a return to finals in consecutive seasons for the first time in its history, while for Essendon this will be the Bombers’ first finals campaign.

Geelong had to wait until the final round to book its spot in the finals, while Essendon had to wait until the final game of the season to see whether it had done enough to make finals.

History

As Essendon is only in its second season there is not too much history between these two sides. These two teams have met twice already though, with each side winning one match each. Crucially for the Bombers, their win was this season.

Key Stat Areas

Both of these sides prefer to handball the ball over kicking, so that kind of cancels any advantage that kind of game style may have.

Geelong has been doing better in the hit outs this season, but Essendon has been doing better in the clearances.

Key Match Up/s

Georgie Prespakis vs Madison Prespakis

The battle of the Prespakis sisters is set to light up the midfield. Both strong clearance winners and both are ultra competitive and would love nothing more than a win over their sister, so expect both to give it their all today.

Kate Surman vs Mia Busch

One of the more sneakier options in attack for Geelong, Surman has a big role today playing at the feet of Geelong’s taller forwards. Busch will have a big job today, but has shown previously she can play on the big, important players in the game.

Bonnie Toogood vs Claudia Gunjaca

Up the other end Toogood’s importance to Essendon is much spoken about, so whoever ends up on her is going to have a big job today. It may be Gunjaca, it may be someone else, but none the less the defender in question is going to have to try and spoil the ball a lot today.