MELBOURNE will have the opportunity to face North Melbourne for the first time in season 2025 if the wounded Dees can get over the top of Adelaide this weekend. In coach Mick Stinear‘s 100th AFLW game, the Demons will face off against the Crows who have peaked at the right time of year.

IN A NUTSHELL

Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Ikon Park
Time: 1:05pm AEDST
Result: Winner goes to an away preliminary final, loser is eliminated

SEASON DETAILS

LAST TIME THEY MET

2025 | Round 7 | Adelaide 1.8 (14) def. by Melbourne 2.4 (16)

In a low-scoring dour affair, Melbourne came away with the tight four-point victory despite only kicking three behinds after quarter time. The Crows kicked 1.7 but still fell short in an aberration from what the two teams usually offer due to the conditions. Despite the defeat, Ebony Marinoff went berserk with 29 disposals, 17 tackles, 10 clearances and 535 metres gained, working well with Anne Hatchard (28 disposals, five tackles and seven clearances). Tyla Hanks and Eliza McNamara combined for 44 touches, five marks, 12 tackles and six clearances in the win.

TEAM HEAD-TO-HEAD STATS

CHANGES

Melbourne has made two changes, losing key marking target Eden Zanker to concussion, while also replacing Jemma Rigoni. The Dees have sharpened up their defensive end with the experience of Sinead Goldrick coming in alongside first-year player Laela Ebert. Adelaide on the other hand has gone in unchanged with a near-full list to pick between.

KEY PLAYERS

Clearly the one-two punch of Marinoff and Hatchard has been a huge think for the Crows this year, but the improvement of Madison Newman and Sarah Goodwin has provided the tri-colours with plenty of run and dare. The duo are among the most improved in the competition, and with Chelsea Randall now back the Crows are incredibly well placed to reach another preliminary final.

While the Crows head in unscathed, the Dees are of course not only without Zanker, but have been missing key midfielder Olivia Purcell for most of the year. The likes of Hanks and McNamara have stood up in her absence, while Kate Hore is one of the most damaging players in the AFLW. Megan Fitzsimon is one of the Dees’ most improved though it is hard to go past Maeve Chaplin who unfortunately is another key out.

PREDICTION

A really fascinating contest of two sides who are their best, can challenge any team. On form, the Crows have looked stronger and are certainly fitter from a list availability perspective. One has to be wary of writing off the Dees who overall have a few more layers to them, it will just be a key of whether or not the outs prove to be too much. Think it will be an absolute warrior contest which the winner’s next opponent North Melbourne will love. Dees by five points but could very easily be the other way.