TODAY is one of the most important days thus far in the AFL Women’s season, with the top eight potentially locked in by tonight.

1:05pm
Ikon Park

Recent form

Naarm’s quest to defy the odds and make finals took a hit last week against the Hawks, but had still won the last four matches prior to that to still be in the hunt for finals. Collingwood meanwhile has had a tough, exhausting season and will be looking to end the year on a high and send off Stacey Livingstone in style.

Last time they met

As two original clubs of the competition, there is certainly plenty of history between these sides. Last time these sides met was back in Round 1 last season, and Naarm came away comfortable 42-point winners that night to get their premiership defence off to a perfect start.

Key stat areas

Collingwood has been really inefficient inside 50 this season, and although Naarm has not been great in that stat either, Collingwood has been significantly worse in that area,

When it comes to clearances, Naarm has been stronger than Collingwood in the stoppage clearances, but Collingwood has been better than the Dees when it comes to centre clearances.

Key match up/s

A pair of Irish wingers are set to go head to head today, and provide an intriguing match up to watch. Blaithin Mackin and Sarah Rowe are both vital components of their teams’ success, and their teams rely on them to help transition the ball from defence to attack, so will be called on a lot today.

3:05pm
Henson Park

Recent form

Both of these teams cannot make finals, and will be wanting to end their years on a high today. Sydney has had a tough season, really rocked by a tougher fixture than what it is used to, while although the Eagles showed some promise early, have come crashing back to Earth in recent weeks.

Last time they met

These two have only met once previously, which was in last season. That particular afternoon, it was Sydney who came away with a 13 point win after kicking away a bit in the second term and holding the Eagles off.

Key stat areas

Although Sydney has been doing better when it comes to the number of inside 50s, the Eagles have been significantly more efficient once inside 50. Similarly, the Eagles have been doing better than the Swans when it comes to hit outs, but the Swans have been the better clearance team of the pair.

Also interestingly, the Eagles are the better contested possession side, whereas the Swans are the better uncontested possession side.

Key match up/s

In what will be their final matches at AFLW level, Brooke Lochland and Evie Gooch will both be wanting to end their careers on a high, and may just have to nullify the influence of the other in order to do so.

5:05pm
Arden St Oval

Recent form

North Melbourne is looking to put the star on top of a stellar season and record the third ever undefeated season in the history of the league. Gold Coast on the other hand could not have had a more different season, and will be looking to just end its difficult year on a high.

Last time they met

Perhaps surprisingly considering how long these two clubs have been in the league, they have only met twice. However, the history between the sides does not make for fun reading for today’s visitors, with North Melbourne winning those past two meetings by 13 points and 26 points respectively.

Key stat areas

The Suns really do have a daunting task ahead of them. Although they have been dominating in hitouts, that is not necessarily a helpful stat to have such a dominant lead in when you see how far behind they are in things like inside 50 efficiency, clearances, and disposals.

Key match up/s

North Melbourne gets a lot of strength from its midfield, so this needs to be an area of focus for the Suns today. Luckily for the Suns they have Charlie Rowbottom and Claudia Whitfort at their disposal, who will certainly give the likes of Ash Riddell and Mia King plenty of trouble today.

7:15pm
Ikon Park

Recent form

Carlton has had another tough season, and will be looking to put another inconsistent year to bed today and send Jess Dal Pos off with a win. Essendon meanwhile has been a bit shaky in the past few weeks, but will need to put it all together today because its place in the finals is on the line.

Last time they met

Tonight’s meeting is the third one between the sides since Essendon came into the competition a couple of seasons ago. First time the two sides met saw Carlton emerge with a one-point win, while when they met last season Essendon emerged with a 32-point win.

Key stat areas

One area Carlton really needs to focus on tonight is its inside 50 efficiency, because not only are its own figures around inside 50s and inside 50 efficiency poor, but they are significantly lower than Essendon’s.

Interestingly though, Carlton has the better hit out figures but Essendon has the better clearance figures.

Key match up/s

Bonnie Toogood and Daria Bannister are massive weapons in attack for Essendon, and will have to be kept quiet in order for Carlton to get the win tonight.

This means Gen Lawson-Tavan, Harriet Cordner and the rest of Carlton’s defence will certainly have a hard job tonight.