TONIGHT’s AFLW action sees two sides take to the field that are both desperate for a win.

7:15pm
Ikon Park

Recent form

Neither of these very proud clubs will be happy with how 2024 has gone for them so far. Both only have one win to their name, and one draw for GWS is all that separates them on the ladder points wise.

Last time they met

As two founding clubs of the league, there is certainly plenty of history between these sides.

Recent history between the sides does favour the Dees though, with the red and blue winning all three of the last three meetings between the sides.

Last time they did meet was early last season, and Melbourne came away with a 77 point win after conceding the early goal but dominating after that.

Key stat areas

When it comes to marks, GWS has been  doing better in the marks and specifically inside 50, but Melbourne has been doing better when it comes to contested marks.

A couple of areas that GWS can really exploit Melbourne in, and weaknesses Melbourne should be wary of, is around uncontested possessions and inside 50 efficiency, with there currently being a big discrepancy between the sides of how they have performed in both those areas so far this season.

Key match up/s

Any success in the clearance department GWS has gotten so far this season has been through the likes of Rebecca Beeson, Alyce Parker and to a lesser extent Alicia Eva.

So Tyla Hanks, Kate Hore and Shelley Heath are going to have a big job tonight in not only stopping the Giants getting any clearance success, but trying to improve Melbourne’s own form in that department.

It will also be interesting to see if Heath, who has developed a reputation as a very good tagger in recent seasons, plays any kind of tagging role on someone like Parker or maybe even Beeson.