TODAY is a big day in the AFL Women’s calendar, with the public holiday in Victoria giving the league a rare opportunity to stage four games on the one day without any two matches playing at the same time.

12:05pm
Swinburne Centre

Recent form

Both of these sides are winless through the first month of the season, but will be looking to rectify that today.

Last time they met

Despite them both being in the competition for a number of seasons, the one and only time they have played each other was last season. That particular afternoon saw a tight affair for much of the match, but Gold Coast then kicked away in the last term to win by two goals.

Key stat areas

Both sides have not been great at either racking up the inside 50s or getting the shots away, so that will be an area of focus for both sides today. With contested possession numbers dead even, an area for Gold Coast to exploit today is the uncontested possessions, which although their own figure is poor, it is significantly better than Collingwood’s.

Key match up/s

Brittany Bonnici and Mikala Cann are both back in Collingwood’s lineup today, and will be massive boosts to a struggling Magpies outfit. Their inclusion also means we get to see a tantalising battle between them and their Suns counterparts Charlie Rowbottom and Claudia Whitfort.

2:05pm
Windy Hill

Recent form

Both of these sides would not be happy with how the start to their respective seasons have gone, and with one win each on the board, both will be very keen to add a second today.

Last time they met

The only time these two have met was back in Season 7, and it was not a happy first trip to Casey for the red and black. Essendon only scored one major for the afternoon and was completely outclassed by the Dees.

Key stat areas

Although Essendon has been doing better than Melbourne in terms of the number of inside 50s, Melbourne’s inside 50 efficiency is much better. Melbourne has been doing better than Essendon in the hit outs, but when it comes to clearances it is very much the other way around.

Key match up/s

One of the biggest keys to stopping Essendon is to keep Madison Prespakis and Georgia Nanscawen quiet. It is as simple as that. The question is, does Melbourne use Shelley Heath as a tagger, send someone like Tyla Hanks to do a run-with role, or something completely different?

4:05pm
RSEA Park

Recent form

These two sides could not be coming into today’s clash off more contrasting results. St Kilda will be disappointed with how they dropped their first points of the season against Hawthorn, while Fremantle will be up and about after pulling off a massive comeback against Melbourne.

Last time they met

Last time these two sides met was Indigenous Round last season. That particular day, Fremantle led from stat to finish and were far too strong for the visiting Saints.

Key stat areas

Although Fremantle has been doing better than St Kilda in terms of the number of inside 50s, but when it comes to inside 50 efficiency it is very much the other way around. When it comes to clearances, St Kilda is slightly tracking better in the centre clearances, but Fremantle is the better of the two sides in stoppage clearances.

Key match up/s

One potential area for St Kilda to exploit today is Gabby O’Sullivan’s absence. She is a massive playmaker for the Dockers, so her absence means others are going to have to step up to create that drive through that midfield. For St Kilda, this means if they can ensure Jaimee Lambert is allowed to run free and create havoc, that will be a massive boost for them.

7:15pm
Whitten Oval

Recent form

Both of these teams come into today’s match off confidence-boosting wins. The Bulldogs picked up their first win of the year last week when they beat Collingwood, while Sydney fought off a persistent GWS side.

Last time they met

The last time these sides met was actually the first time they ever met, which was back in the shadows of the end of last season. That particular day saw a big win to the Swans, who powered away after a five goal to one second term.

Key stat areas

One area Sydney can exploit today is the uncontested possessions, in which they have been doing vastly better than the Bulldogs so far this season. An area that both sides will want to improve though is their inside 50 efficiency, which is poor for both sides.

Key match up/s

Cynthia Hamilton is a Swan who in recent weeks has really stepped up and shown how important and how versatile she can be, so that will be something the Bulldogs need to watch out for today. Elisabeth Georgostathis may be the one who gets the job on Hamilton today, as she has the speed and endurance to match it with the Swan.