AFTER a couple of big wins on Thursday night, the remaining AFL Women’s first round takes place starting tonight in Sydney. We focus on the massive contest between Geelong and North Melbourne tomorrow, with both sides boasting stacked midfields.

NEED TO KNOW

Date: Saturday, August 16
Venue: GMHBA Stadium
Time: 3:35pm local

TEAMS

Geelong:

B: G.Rankin 10 – C.Gunjaca 26  
HB: R.Kearns 22 – M.McDonald 11 – R.Webster 21
C: Z.Friswell 20 – G.Prespakis 41 – J.Crockett-Grills 6
HF: M.Bowen 1 – J.Parry 5 – K.Surman 7
F: A.Moloney 45 – K.Darby 8
R: P.Dunlop 38 – A.McDonald 3 – N.Morrison 9
I/C: K.Kenny 12 – C.Thorne 25 – M.Bragg 44 – B.O’Rourke 23 – E.Kilpatrick 27  

EMG: B.Smith 2 – A.Gregor 30 – E.Fowler 17

North Melbourne:

B: L.Birch 2 – J.Ferguson 20  
HB: N.Bresnehan 12 – E.Shannon 11 – E.Sheerin 4
C: T.Craven 5 – M.King 23 – T.Gatt 8
HF: J.Bruton 35 – B.Eddey 3 – A.O’Loughlin 6
F: T.Randall 16 – K.Shierlaw 33
Foll: K.Rennie 26 – A.Riddell 7 – J.Garner 25
I/C: E.O’Shea 14 – R.Tripodi 19 – A.Smith 15 – B.Bogue 10 – A.Hetherington 29  

Emerg: T.Boyd 24 – A.Gavin-Mangan 21 – G.Stubs 27

CHANGES

North Melbourne has unsurprisingly needed to make many changes to a premiership-winning side. However the Roos’ two mature-age recruits from other AFLW clubs have made the initial 21, with ex-Tiger Eilish Sheerin only further strengthening the side off half-back, while ruck Ariana Hetherington can share the duties there or play as that key forward inside 50.

Irish sensation Blaithin Bogue is the other debutant from the Roos, named as part of the five-player interchange, while countrywoman Amy Gavin Mangan is one of three emergencies for the visitors as they head down the highway.

For the Cats, hard-running wing/half-back Emma Kilpatrick earned a Round 1 debut after impressing since being picked up by the club as an injury replacement player, while towering ruck Piper Dunlop will receive a baptism of fire given the injury-hit tall stocks at the club.

MISSING IN ACTION

Geelong is minus Shelley Scott and Chloe Scheer for the foreseeable future as forward options, while undersized backup ruck Gabbi Featherston is still recovering from a hamstring injury. First-year player Sienna Tallariti and Irish tall Caitie Tipping will also miss at least the first month of hte season with ankle and knee complaints.

North Melbourne is without a couple of experienced veterans in Emma Kearney and Emma King, with both tipped to return in a fortnight. The depth of the Roos has never been in question, and though quality players, will be managed to make sure they are cherry ripe to go upon return.

WHERE THE GAME WILL BE WON

Both sides have absolutely elite midfields, with stars inside and outside, which means the team that can get on top around the ball will go a long way to taking out the four points. A tried and true combination of Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell up against Georgie Prespakis and Amy McDonald is a tantalising pair of head-to-heads, while the third member of each midfield – Nina Morrison and Mia King – are equally quality players.

It is hoped that it will be a free-flowing game without a direct tag given the ability of each side to back in its own players. The question on Geelong’s side will be how it kicks a winning score with the injuries to the marking targets. Obviously the Cats still have co-leading goalkicker from last season in Aishling Moloney, but if the Roos look to double-team her, will the likes of Jacqueline Parry or Kate Darby get free to be a marking target and punish the visitors.

North Melbourne has quality all over the park and the Roos are premiership favourites for a reason. The addition of Sheerin will only strengthen their transitional game, while Libby Birch looked to have wound back the clock in the preseason. Without Kearney there is that touch of experience loss down back, but Sheerin is a direct replacement. However, if the Cats lower their eyes and pick out the right options going forward, it could well catch the Roos on the hop given their aggressive style.

North Melbourne’s wing combination of Taylah Gatt and Tess Craven is seemingly underrated, and those two will no doubt run all day and ensure the Roos have options when putting the ball to space. The likes of Alice O’Loughlin and Jenna Bruton provide such great link-up play between midfield and attack, and will be key cogs for the Roos in getting the job done.

PREDICTION

North Melbourne is the side you simply cannot pick against until the Roos give you a reason. Geelong is at home and will have a real crack, but simply must get on top in the midfield if the Cats are to be any chance. Keep in mind when these sides faced in Round 2 last year, they could not be split, the only time North Melbourne dropped points in the 2024 season. Going with the Roos in a competitive eight-point game.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

Friday night football kicks off at North Sydney Oval from 6:15pm, with the Swans hosting Richmond. Both sides are tipped to challenge for finals, so could be an early “eight-point game” for the winner. Much anticipation has built for the debut of Zippy Fish, but a fully-fit Chloe Molloy is just as exciting for the Swans. Richmond will unveil ex-Blue Lulu Beatty and ex-Don Paige Scott, as well as Montana Beruldsen playing her former side.

Action heads to the nation’s capital as GWS Giants host Essendon at Manuka Oval tomorrow evening. The orange side will play both of its young draftees in Sara Howley and Grace Martin, while the Dons have handed debuts to its three young stars Taya Chambers, Grace Belloni and Holly Ridewood. Each team has a host of new faces from other clubs, and the Dons regain the services of a fully fit Bonnie Toogood which makes them a massive threat.

The two teams that started it all at the elite level face off at Whitten Oval when Melbourne travels to lock horns with Melbourne. The Dogs were tipped to win the wooden spoon last year but achieved more than the doubters expected, while the Dees had a rare November holiday. With a fit and firing Tayla Harris joined by top three draftee Molly O’Hehir and running machines Laela Ebert and Maggie Mahony, the Dees look certain to return to finals. Western Bulldogs are still developing, and add two more young guns to the mix in Emma McDonald and Sarah Poustie both of whom should impact from early on in the season.

Attention turns to Brighton Homes Arena on Sunday when Brisbane hosts Hawthorn. These two had their differences last year and no doubt there will be some spice in the rivalry to try and get off to a perfect start. Young Hawk Lavinia Cox and former Crow Najwa Allen are both in for their first games in brown and gold, while the Lions have named West Australian Claudia Wright as part of an extended squad. Both these teams are finals locks on paper, but it is very difficult to pick against Brisbane at home, especially with the likes of Ally Anderson and Sophie Conway up and about.

St Kilda will look to respond to a frustrating year in 2024 when it hosts Adelaide at RSEA Park on Sunday. Draftees Kyla Forbes and Zoe Besanko have both earned their spots, while Georgia Patrikios returns to further strengthen the Moorabbin-based team in 2025. The likes of Lilu Hung and Arianna Clarke have also been named on an extended bench, while for the Crows, powerful left-footer India Rasheed and ex-Port Rising Star Hannah Ewings are set for their first games in the tri-colours. Not much needs to be said about the Crows, they are here for the now and a genuine premiership contender.

Closing out Round 1, Port Adelaides host Fremantle in another game between two finals hopefuls. The Dockers bring over talented marking forward Georgie Brisbane who makes her debut in the purple, while star midfielder Kiara Bowers returns to the elite level. Add in a debut from Indi Strom – younger sister of reigning best and fairest winner Mim – and the Dockers are in a great spot. Port Adelaide have announced Gippsland prospect Jasmine Sowden as a debutant in the match, with ex-Swan Ella Heads also in the team. Port had a breakthrough year last season, but will be looking for much of the same in 2025.