AMONG the smorgasbord of options today in the AFL Women’s is a Western Derby and some key matches in the race for finals.

1:05pm AEDT
Kinetic Stadium

Recent form

These two teams could not be having more different seasons up until this point. Hawthorn is absolutely flying, and has only suffered one loss to-date. GWS meanwhile has not had a win since week one, and has not picked up any points since their draw in week three.

Last time they met

These two have only met once previously, and that was in Round 8 of Season 7. That particular afternoon, it was aa tight match all afternoon with several lead changes. Ultimately though, one late behind to the Giants helped them escape with a narrow one point win.

Key stat areas

Both these sides have been extremely efficient inside 50 this season, but interestingly there is an over 100 difference between the number of inside 50s they have recorded this season.

Hawthorn has the head to head lead in both the hit outs and clearances, so that is an area they can exploit today. GWS meanwhile can exploit its advantage in uncontested possessions.

Key match up/s

One of Hawthorn’s biggest weapons is its midfield, so GWS’ is going to have a big job today. Eliza West, Emily Bates and Jasmine Fleming are massive weapons for the Hawks in their pursuit of moving forward, so a lot of pressure will rest on the shoulders of Rebecca Beeson, Alyce Parker and Alicia Eva.

3:05pm AEDT
Henson Park

Recent form

The last month or so has not been easy for either of these sides. Sydney is currently on a four-match losing streak, while Gold Coast have not picked up any points since week three.

Last time they met

These two have met twice since Sydney joined the competition two years ago. First time around it was Gold Coast who emerged 34-point victors, but when these two met last season it was the Swans who emerged 17-point winners.

Key stat areas

Sydney prefers to kick the ball more than handball it, while Gold Coast vastly prefer to handball it more than kick it. Neither of these sides has strong inside 50 numbers or been particularly efficient while inside 50 so far this season.

Gold Coast has been the better of the two sides so far this year when it comes to contested possessions, but Sydney has the better uncontested possessions figures of the two sides.

Key match up/s

Claudia Whitfort is a massive inclusion for the Suns today, and will be ease the pressure on Charlie Rowbottom. The question will be, can Sofia Hurley, Tanya Kennedy and the rest of Sydney’s midfield manage to curb the influence of both Whitfort and Rowbottom?

5:05pm AEDT
Casey Fields

Recent form

Both of these teams are in pretty good form at the moment. Melbourne is currently on a three-match winning streak, boosted by the return of key personnel from injury. Richmond has won four of its last five matches and will be hoping for a much easier day today than last week.

Last time they met

These two have met twice in their history, but have not met since the early days of Season 6. The head-to-head ledger looks more positive for those in red and blue, with the Dees having won both of the past meetings between the sides.

Key stat areas

Melbourne has been kicking the ball more than handballing it to-date this season, whereas Richmond has handballed more than it has kicked.

Richmond has recorded more inside 50s and been significantly more efficient once inside 50 than the Dees so far this season, and given the typical conditions players face at Casey this could be crucial.

Key match up/s

Melbourne gets a further boost today with the return of its first choice ruck Lauren Pearce from injury, who is not only an amazing ruck but often plays like an extra midfielder.

The timing of her return is also interesting with what is going on with Richmond. Tamara Luke dropping out of the Richmond side, so Poppy Kelly has to shoulder more of the ruck load, and Gabrielle Seymour will occasionally have to leave defence to help out Kelly.

4:05pm local time (7:05pm AEDT)
Leederville Oval

Recent form

The last month or so has been a bit up and down for both of these sides, so they would both love nothing more than to bank a win today and get some consistency back in their season. West Coast has picked up one win in the last month, while for Fremantle it is two.

Last time they met

As the two Western Australian teams, these two can expect a match up against each other every year. In last year’s Western Derby, it was Fremantle who emerged with an eight point win after a strong second and third term, despite neither side adding any score in the final term.

Key stat areas

Both of these sides kick the ball more than they handball it, so how that clashes will be interesting. Interestingly, neither of these sides have been overly strong in the uncontested possession game, but neither side has been particularly prolific tacklers either.

Key match up/s

The midfield is really where this match will be won. Ella Roberts, Isabella Lewis, Aisling McCarthy and Hayley Miller are all huge assets to their respective teams, so their influence will need to be curtailed by their opponents in order to get the win.