WEEK 6 of the AFLW action ramps up with a quartet of matches stretched across both coasts.

1:05pm
Arden St Oval

Recent form

North Melbourne has had a perfect start to 2024, with one draw being the only points dropped by the Roos so far this season. The Bulldogs on the other hand are in a sudden burst of form at the moment, and are currently on a two-match winning streak.

Last time they met

These two last met almost 11 months ago to the day, in the final round of last season. That particular day, North Melbourne ran away with the match after keeping the Bulldogs scoreless in the first half.

Key stat areas

One area that the Bulldogs will really need to be wary of today is the inside 50 efficiency, because not only is their own figure poor (-48.9%), but it is significantly worse than North Melbourne’s (+125.1%). It is a similar situation with contested possessions (-66 vs North’s +143) and uncontested possessions (-250 vs North’s +176).

Key match up/s

With no Kate Shierlaw in the line up today, Tahlia Randall has a big job today to be that tall target in attack. On the flipside Lauren Ahrens and Kaylee Kimber have also got big jobs today in containing Randall and the rest of North’s very potent attack.

3:05pm
Swinburne Centre

Recent form

Richmond will be keen to get back on the winners list quickly after suffering its second loss of the year last weekend. Meanwhile after a tough start of the year, Collingwood joined the winners list last week after narrowly beating Gold Coast.

Last time they met

These two last met exactly 11 months ago to the day, in the final round of last season. Unfortunately for Collingwood, it is not a day it will want to remember after it fell away in the last term to lose by 52 points.

Key stat areas

Both of these sides have different preferences for moving the ball, with Collingwood tending to kick the ball more and Richmond tending to handball it more.

One area that Collingwood do need to target is uncontested possessions. Richmond have been doing far better than Collingwood in that category, but the Pies have the far better tackle numbers, so they need to use that advantage to stop Richmond’s advantage on the outside.

Key match up/s

Eilish Sheerin has been named to start in the midfield today, which will boost Richmond’s running power significantly and should help ease the burden on Monique Conti. However, they will have to get past Brittany Bonnici and the returning Brianna Davey.

5:05pm
Mineral Resources Park

Recent form

West Coast will be looking to continue its record-breaking season by picking up a fifth win today, while Port will be looking to win its second match in a row after snapping a three match losing streak.

Last time they met

Last time these two sides met was midway through last season, and it was a tight affair. Although Port kicked the last goal of the match, the Power ran out of time to snap the one extra goal it needed to tie up the match, so the Eagles escaped with a narrow one goal win.

Key stat areas

Neither side has been doing particularly well in the clearances so far this season, and with both sides tending to prefer to kick the ball than handball it, it will be interesting to see what affect that all has today. One interesting factor is that not only has West Coast been recording more disposals than Port so far this season, but it also has a +16 advantage in tackles.

Key match up/s

Ella Roberts is a massive asset to the Eagles, and helps create a lot of their drive into attack. The question is, will her opponent be someone like Abbey Dowrick, or someone more like Cheyenne Hammond?

7:15pm
Ikon Park

Recent form

Carlton will be desperately looking to end a three-match losing run tonight, while Brisbane will be looking to win its sixth match in a row.

Last time they met

Despite both being original clubs of the competition, it has been a few seasons since these two have crossed paths, with round three in season six being that last time. That night Brisbane was far too strong for Carlton, leading all night to win by 35 points.

Key stat areas

Both of these sides prefer to handball the ball over kicking it, so it will be interesting to see how this collides on the field tonight. Brisbane has a huge advantage in the uncontested possession game compared to how Carlton has gone so far this season, and with a dominance in the tackle count also, this is really an area Carlton needs to be wary of today.

Key match up/s

Taylor Smith is in really good form at the moment, and one of the players who Carlton must keep quiet in order to win tonight. She will likely have Gena Lawson-Tavan or Harriet Cordner for company tonight, but whoever ends up on Smith will certainly have a busy night.