ROUND six sees plenty of debutants pull on an AFLW jumper for the first time. Former Hockeyroo, Georgie Parker and Magpies netballer, Ash Brazill will both suit up for the Pies, while former Bendigo Pioneer, Tiahna Cochrane will make her first appearance for Carlton. There will be a lot of youth running around this weekend, as the sides continue to fight for the ultimate premiership glory. With only two rounds to go, many teams must win this week to have any chance of playing on the big stage. 

Adelaide vs. Fremantle

Friday March 9, 7:05pm at TIO Stadium

After beginning the season with two losses, the Crows have really hit their stride in the past three weeks with impressive wins over Melbourne and Carlton, and a draw against GWS. Their recent run of form has coincided with the return of superstar Erin Phillips, who came off in the second quarter last week with a quad injury. The club’s reigning best and fairest was in doubt this week, but has been named in the team to face the Dockers on Friday which will no doubt give the Crows, who head into the game unchanged, a massive confidence boost. Fremantle face a do-or-die game, needing a win to keep their grand final chances alive, as they currently sit a game and percentage behind second-placed Brisbane. The Dockers will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing outing in round five, where they were defeated comfortably by the Giants. The game will bring some exciting news for Dockers fans, as Tiah Haynes makes her return to the lineup for the first time since the opening round. Defender Tayla Bresland also comes into the side, and will be keen to assist fellow defenders Dana Hooker and Ebony Antonio in slowing down Adelaide’s prolific forward line. The high stakes and recent form of both sides should make for a very compelling game!

Brisbane vs. Collingwood

Saturday March 10, 3:35pm at Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex

Brisbane head into the important round six clash in control of their own destiny, currently holding second position on the AFLW ladder. After a tough loss to fellow powerhouse Melbourne last week, the Lions will be looking to make a statement and regain their form of the early rounds, as they continue their push to make it back to the grand final. Watch out for Sabrina Frederick-Traub, whose Herculean-type effort almost got her team over the line last week, kicking three of their four goals. Fellow star, Kate Lutkins will look to continue the recent form she’s been on across the half-back flank, as she remains a match-up nightmare for opposition forwards. With the loss last week, Collingwood was eliminated from finals contention for the second consecutive year. But in round six, they have the opportunity to play spoiler and put a wrench in Brisbane’s finals hopes. The Pies will be without their captain, Steph Chiocci who will miss the remainder of the season as a result of her suspension. But in place of her, the Magpies welcome in their cross-coders in Ash Brazill (netball), and Georgie Parker (hockey), who have both been training hard to prepare for their AFLW debuts. 

GWS vs. Western Bulldogs

Saturday March 10, 7:10pm at UNSW Canberra Oval

In perhaps the most intriguing game of the round, two teams in red-hot form meet on Saturday night in prime-time. The top-of-the-table Bulldogs will look to move one step closer to sewing up top spot and make it five wins from six games. The Bulldogs midfield duo of Ellie Blackburn and Emma Kearney will look to get on top early and set up the prolific Bulldogs forward line, which has been firing on all cylinders lately. The Bulldogs have shown their diversity in wins over the past two weeks, with a seven-goal haul from Brooke Lochland setting up victory against Carlton, followed by six individual goal-scorers contributing in their win over Collingwood. This will present a number of match-up nightmares for the GWS defence. The Giants have been in fantastic form all year and have reeled off two wins and a draw in their last three games, after narrowly losing the first two outings. A win here would push them to within two points of the Bulldogs, and dependent on other results, could have them sitting in second place with one round remaining. Courtney Gum was spectacular for the Giants last week in the win against Fremantle, and will once again be a key component to their line-up alongside her teammates in the midfield, who will look to get control early and neutralise the Dogs’ forward-line.

Carlton vs. Melbourne

Sunday March 11, 4:35pm at Ikon Park

After a terrific start to the season, the Blues find themselves near the bottom of the AFLW ladder with just two weeks to go, and with very little chance of playing finals football. The recent run of poor form and bad luck with injuries has led to them going into the game with six changes. The positive for Carlton is that Jess Hosking and Madeline Keryk come back into the line-up, and will be hoping to make a big impact upon return. Off-season recruit, Tayla Harris has been in good form, but has not been able to translate it into scores. If she is able to have the same kind of impact she has had in the past few games and improve on her goal-kicking accuracy, it will go a long way towards the Blues pulling off the upset. Melbourne will be looking to keep pace with the league-leading Western Bulldogs, as they currently sit a game behind on the ladder. In what is a classic ‘danger game’, the Dees will hope to see their midfield domination continue with stars Karen Paxman, Daisy Pearce and Elise O’Dea in sparkling form. After an impressive game in the ruck last week, Lauren Pearce managed to retain her spot and will look to put forward another strong outing heading into the final stretch of the season.