AFTER a day’s break yesterday, the AFL Womens returns today with a quartet of intriguing matches.

1:05pm
UTAS Stadium

Recent form

Both sides are some of the most in form sides of the competition at the moment. Both have had one hiccup earlier this season, but they are both on four wins.

Last time they met

These two did not actually meet last season, with the last time they crossed paths on the field being the Semi Final in Season 7. That particular day, North Melbourne continued its impressive run through that finals series with a six goal win after leading most of the day.

Key stat areas

North Melbourne prefers to handball the ball more than kick it, while for Richmond it is the other way around. When it comes to clearances, Richmond has been doing better than North in centre clearances while North has been doing much better than Richmond in the stoppage clearances.

Key match up/s

Kate Shierlaw is back in the North Melbourne side today after a rest midweek, and will look to cause plenty of havoc for Richmond if not kept in check. It will be up to the likes of Gabrielle Seymour or Rebecca Miller to try and quell her.

3:05pm
Henson Park

Recent form

GWS has had a little bit of an up and down start to the year, and is looking for its second win of the season today. West Coast meanwhile is one of the biggest improvers so far this season, and currently sit in the top eight and is looking for win number four today.

Last time they met

The last few times these two sides have met, the side that lost the previous encounter won the next time. That statistic bodes well for West Coast today because last time these sides met GWS fought back from a slow start to go on and win by 20 points.

Key stat areas

GWS prefers to handball the ball more than kick it, while for West Coast it is the other way around. One area that West Coast will need to lift today is its inside 50 efficiency, because not only is it poor but is vastly lower than the Giants. West Coast has been doing much better in the hitouts, but GWS’ clearance numbers have been much better.

Key match up/s

Any team success starts in the midfield, so the matchup between Alyce Parker and Ella Roberts is sure to be one to watch for fans and neutrals alike. They are both so important to their respective sides, and if left unchecked can do a lot of damage to the opposition.

3:05pm
Brighton Homes Arena

Recent form

As has become an expectation in the AFLW, these two are again among the most in-form sides of the competition, and have only recorded one loss between them.

Last time they met

As two of the original clubs of the competition, there is certainly plenty of history between the two sides. Last time these sides met was in the first week of finals last season, where Brisbane emerged victorious after a seesawing encounter.

Key stat areas

Brisbane vey much prefers to handball the ball more than kick it, while for Adelaide it is the other way around. Adelaide has been doing much better in the hitouts, but Brisbane’s clearance numbers have been much better.

Key match up/s

Any team success starts in the midfield, so the matchup between Ally Anderson and Ebony Marinoff is sure to be one to watch for fans and neutrals alike. They are both so important to their respective sides, and if left unchecked can do a lot of damage to the opposition.

5:05pm AEST (4:35pm local)
Alberton Oval

Recent form

Port Adelaide will be looking to snap a three match losing streak and pick up its second win today, while Carlton will be looking to snap a two-match losing streak and pick up win number three for the year today.

Last time they met

The only previous time these sides have met was back in Season 7. In a seesawing match, it was ultimately a draw which saw Port pick up its first ever points in the competition.

Key stat areas

Carlton very much prefers to handball the ball more than kick it, while for Port Adelaide it is the other way around. Port has been doing significantly better than Carlton in contested possessions, but Carlton has the Power’s measure in uncontested possessions.

Key match up/s

As she proved during the week, when she is up and about Gemma Houghton can really swing the momentum of a match, so Carlton will have to keep her quiet today. The question is though, will they try and do that with the height of Gabriella Pound, or the speed of Mimi Hill?