WEEK 4 of the AFLW concludes today with a quartet of games in as many states, all with many potential consequences.

1:05pm
Thomas Farms Oval

Recent form

Like absolute clockwork, Adelaide is again one of the teams to beat this AFLW season and are currently undefeated after three games. Essendon meanwhile has had an inconsistent start to the year, and will be looking to add a second win to the tally today.

Last time they met

After the pair did not meet in Essendon’s inaugural season in the AFLW, the two teams met for the first time last season.

Unfortunately for the aforementioned Bombers, it was not a day to remember as despite leading early, they essentially stopped scoring after quarter time as Adelaide ran away with the game.

Key stat areas

Adelaide prefers to kick the ball more than handball it, while Essendon way prefer to handball it.

When it comes to clearances, Adelaide has total dominance in centre clearances, but the stats are a lot closer when it comes to stoppage clearances, so that could be an avenue to exploit for the Bombers.

It is the same when it comes to contested compared to uncontested possessions. Adelaide has a solid dominance in the uncontested possessions, but the contest is a lot closer when it comes to contested possessions. It also comes with a warning for Essendon to make sure the Crows do not dominate uncontested possessions because that is an area they really like to exploit opponents in.

Key match up/s

One of the matchups Essendon has to get really right today is the one on Danielle Ponter, who can burn opponents if not tagged properly. The question will be whether it is Maddison Gay, Sophie Van De Heuvel, or someone totally different.

3:05pm
Victoria Park

Recent form

Neither of these sides would be happy with how their seasons have started, and both are still searching for their first wins of 2024.

Last time they met

Despite being two of the original teams of the competition, it has been a few seasons since they last squared off. Last time they did face each other – back in Season 6 – Collingwood led all day and survived a hard Bulldogs’ late fightback to emerge with a five-point win.

Key stat areas

Collingwood prefers to kick the ball more than handball it, while the Western Bulldogs way prefer to handball it.

Interestingly, these two sides have been exactly as inefficient with ball in hand as each other, and their inside 50 efficiency figures are only 7 per cent different.

Although the Western Bulldogs have been doing better than Collingwood in the hitouts, it is the Pies who have the better clearance numbers.

Key match up/s

Both sides are missing arguably their most important midfield assets due to injury, so are going to have to find others to really stand up.

For Collingwood, Tarni White comes back in today after suspension and needs to make an impact straight away to cover the absence of both Mikala Cann and Brianna Davey.

For the Bulldogs, after more recently playing most of her footy off half-back, Jessica Fitzgerald moves into the midfield today and could be a useful asset to fill the Ellie Blackburn sized hole the Dogs have in their midfield.

3:05pm
Henson Park

Recent form

Both of these sides have had a bit of an up and down start to their 2024 campaigns, and will be looking to consolidate and get some consistency into their seasons today.

Last time they met

As crosstown rivals, unsurprisingly there has been plenty of history between these sides since the Swans entered the competition two years ago.

In last seasons’ match between the sides, Sydney picked up its first ever win in the competition after coming from behind to pinch the win in the final quarter as the Giants did not score in the final term.

Key stat areas

Both sides prefer to handball the ball more than kick it, GWS disproportionally more so than Sydney.

Sydney needs to really watch its inside 50 efficiency today, because not only is it poor to begin with, but it is significantly worse than the Giants’.

Things are dead even between the pair when it comes to contested possessions, but the Giants are killing the Swans in the uncontested possession game so far this season.

Key match up/s

GWS has a real chance to exploit the Swans in the midfield today. With no Chloe Molloy in the line up, the Swans have a massive whole to fill, and although they still have the likes of Laura Gardiner and Tanya Kennedy, Molloy is still a really hard player to replace.

It leaves the Giants with a massive situation to use the likes of Alyce Parker and Rebecca Beeson to really get on top in the clearances and get things going for GWS.

5:05pm
Mineral Resources Park

Recent form

Both of these sides have had very strong starts to the season, and both sides will be looking to pick up their fourth win of 2024 today.

Last time they met

It has been a few years since these two sides have matched up, with the two sides having not met since season six.

That particular afternoon will not be remembered fondly by the Eagles though. They did not score at all in the first half as the Lions were already 46 points up at the main break, and did not take their foot off the gas in the second half.

Key stat areas

West Coast disproportionately prefers to kick the ball more than handball it, while Brisbane disproportionately prefers to handball the ball more than kick it.

Brisbane has been getting a lot more of the ball than West Coast so far this season and been laying more tackles than the Eagles, so that is something the Eagles are going to need to keep an eye on.

Neither side has been overly strong in the hit outs this season, but there is a clear difference in the clearances in favour of the Lions.

Key match up/s

The midfield match up between Ella Roberts and Isabel Dawes is sure to be an intriguing one today.

Both of these players are really important in winning clearances for their respective sides, and can be really dangerous if given too much room on the outside.