TITLE contenders Queensland play back-to-back games at Brighton Homes Arena out in Springfield to kick off the Maroons’ campaign, starting with a huge clash against Vic Country. The visitors have plenty of top-end talent themselves, and it looks to be a strong contest on paper.

DETAILS

Sunday, July 7 @ 1:30pm AEST
Brighton Homes Arena
Live streamed via afl.com.au

STATE PREVIEWS

Queensland

Vic Country

ONES TO WATCH

All eyes will be on whether or not pick one contenders Havana Harris and Ash Centra go head-to-head on the day, with Harris capable of going into the ruck or down forward as well. She will rotate with both Georja Davies and Lilly Baker as the home side is spoilt for choice when it comes to potential rucks. By comparison, it means the duo of Zoe Besanko and Zahri Burn will have a tough task, but also gain great experience from it.

Vic Country’s midfield looks to be its most dangerous area, with Centra, Lou Painter and Sara Howley and incredible starting trio. However given the depth of midfielders that the visiting side has, do not be surprised to see Centra start forward, and the likes of Jemma Reynolds or Jasmine Sowden role in there. Queensland’s midfield will feature the likes of Mia Salisbury alongside Harris and either Davies or Baker.

Queensland’s forward 50 is a nightmare to defend, with not only the rucks capable of resting there or even starting there, but bottom-agers Dekota Baron and Alannah Welsh and the dangerous Zimra Hussain there. Down back, over-ager Laura Roy will be a reliable force alongside Farrandai Hopkins, and will need to defend the likes of Centra, Claire Mahony and Alexis Gregor who are all contested marking options, while Dandenong Stingrays’ Kayla Dalgleish is a smart small, and up the other end, the likes of Holly Egan and Millie Lang will provide some important rebound.

WHO’S MISSING?

Queensland is actually missing a couple of key players due to injury, with AFLW Academy member Tara Harrington and running defender Heidi Talbot two of the Gold Coast Suns’ more impressive talents unable to play. Also unavailable is one of the Lions Academy’s best in Isabella McDonough, who has had a great season to-date.

For Vic Country, AFLW Academy tall Elli Symonds is still on the sidelines, while Murray Bushrangers’ Madison Ibrahim has also missed the last couple of weeks.

PREDICTION

The key is how Queensland overcomes the loss of three key players who can all provide some nice run and carry down the ground. The Maroons would have been favourites for the clash and are still likely to win on their home patch, but it does even the contest up further. Vic Country has an array of match-winners, and while the loss of Symonds means Queensland has a distinct advantage in the ruck, it will come down to whether or not the Vic Country midfielders can control the game or if Queensland’s ruck advantage can get first hands to it and give the Maroons’ dangerous forwardline a look in.