IN the penultimate regular season round of AFLW for 2019, a number of teams are coming into this round for do-or-die contests that could further or endanger their push for finals.

Saturday, March 9, 2:35pm
Geelong vs. Fremantle
GMHBA Stadium

This is Geelong’s final home game for 2019 as the Fremantle Dockers travel to GMHBA Stadium for a clash that is likely to determine positions in both Conference A and B. Fremantle need to finish off the season perfectly to ensure they don’t miss out on finals, while the Cats will want another win to cement their position at the top of the Conference B ladder. Geelong have thrived at home this season so far, so despite Fremantle’s success in 2019, the Cats will be on the prowl for that all important extra win and percentage boost. Dana Hooker and Kiara Bowers have paired well in recent weeks, racking up a combined 44 disposals and 21 tackles in Round 5 alone against the Bulldogs. Geelong’s Renee Garing has been excellent over the past few weeks, while Kate Darby will want to back up her strong Round 5 effort, after kicking three goals in the win over the Lions.

H2H: Geelong 0 | Fremantle 0 | Draws 0
Venue: Geelong 2-0-0 | Fremantle 0-0-0

Last time they met: N/A

Saturday, March 9, 4:45pm
Collingwood vs. North Melbourne
Marvel Stadium

The first match of an AFLW double header in the heart of Melbourne will see bottom of Conference B, Collingwood take on Conference A’s, North Melbourne, who despite having a loss in Round 5, are still heavy favourites for the premiership. Collingwood is sitting on zero wins from five for the season, while the ‘Roos have only dropped one game, so the Pies will have to bite the bullet and go out hard in this match. North Melbourne will be hard to stop, with stars at the calibre of Emma Kearney and Jess Duffin holding up the midfield. Meanwhile, Collingwood’s midfield has struggled this season with little forward line to kick to, with the side tending to look to ball carriers Jaimee Lambert and Ash Brazill to get the job done. It will be the first time Mo Hope, Jasmine Garner, Emma King and Duffin take on their old side in Collingwood since jumping ship to the Kangaroos, so it will certainly be an interesting match.

H2H: Collingwood 0 | North Melbourne 0 | Draws 0
Venue: Collingwood 0-0-0 | North Melbourne 0-0-0

Last time they met: N/A

Saturday, March 9, 7:15pm
Western Bulldogs vs. Melbourne
Marvel Stadium

The Western Bulldogs will host Melbourne on Saturday night for a battle of Conference A sides. Sitting fourth in Conference A, Melbourne need a perfect two-from-two end to the season to give themselves any opportunity to break into the top two and make finals. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are unlikely to make finals at this point given their low percentage and three losses in a row, so will be doing everything in their power to deliver an upset to the Dees. Defender, Harriet Cordner is likely to be tasked with the job of keeping Katie Brennan at bay, while returnees, Isabel Huntington and Brooke Lochland are players the Dees will have to watch out for, as both returned for the Dogs last week for the first time in 2019. Meanwhile, the Dees will be looking to prolific ball movers Lily Mithen, Karen Paxman and co-captain, Elise O’Dea to lead the charge.

H2H: Western Bulldogs 1 | Melbourne 1 | Draws 0
Venue: Western Bulldogs 0-0-0 | Melbourne 0-0-0

Last time they met: Western Bulldogs 5.3 (33) defeated Melbourne 4.7 (31), Round 7 2018.

It was a heartbreaking end to Melbourne’s second season of AFLW, finishing third and missing out on the Grand Final based on percentage for the second year running. The Bulldogs took the confidence gained from this match and went on to win their inaugural AFLW premiership. Melbourne forward, Tegan Cunningham had a self-confessed ‘shocker’, not managing a single touch, while the side played out majority of the match with one less on the interchange, after Sarah Lampard was carried off with a knee injury early. Karen Paxman played 100 per cent game time, proving her worth to the side, as Richelle Cranston put up another dominant performance. Ellie Blackburn and Emma Kearney lead the charge for the Dogs, putting constant pressure on the Dees.

Sunday, March 10, 1:35pm
Adelaide vs. GWS Giants
Unley Oval

It is the final home game for Adelaide in 2019, played at Unley Oval for the first time in AFLW history. The Crows are sitting happy on the top of Conference A after a dominant performance against premiership favourites, North Melbourne in Round 5, and will be confident as they line up against the GIANTS on Sunday afternoon. Ebony Marinoff has consistently put in the hard yards for the Crows this season, notching up 22 disposals and ten tackles last week, while goalsneak Stevie-Lee Thompson is lead goalkicker of the side. GIANTS’ Alicia Eva was excellent in last week’s loss to Melbourne, picking up 20 disposals, while Cora Staunton and Yvonne Bonner are players to watch, always dangerous around the ball.

H2H: Adelaide 1 | GWS GIANTS 0 | Draws 1
Venue: Adelaide 0-0-0 | GWS GIANTS 0-0-0

Last time they met: GWS GIANTS 2.7 (19) drew Adelaide 2.7 (19), Round 4 2018.

It was a low scoring affair the last time these two sides played, with bad weather plaguing the match and making it difficult to mark and move the ball efficiently. The Crows trailed for majority of the match, managing to pull back the margin early in the final quarter, before the game ended in a stalemate despite scoring opportunities for both sides all game. Crows’ Ebony Marinoff starred, notching up an AFL/AFLW record-breaking 21 tackles, while Alicia Eva picked up 22 disposals.

Sunday, March 10, 4:05pm
Carlton vs. Brisbane
Ikon Park

Both Conference B sides are sitting on a 2-3 loss-win ratio for the 2019 season, battling out for a top two position in their conference with finals just around the corner. Carlton will hope that Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio have their eyes in this week, as both players have struggled with accuracy over the past few weeks – Vescio kicking 1.3 in Round 5. Carlton midfielder, Madison Prespakis has had an outstanding start to her AFLW career, so will be hard to stop in the midfield. Meanwhile, Brisbane is likely to look to leading tackler Nat Exon, averaging six tackles per game in 2019, and Alexandra Anderson, a player who has consistently managed 20 or more disposals per game in 2019.

H2H: Carlton 0 | Brisbane 1 | Draws 1
Venue: Carlton 5-1-2 | Brisbane 1-0-0

Last time they met: Carlton 2.6 (18) defeated by Brisbane 6.4 (40), Round 3 2018.

In their last clash Brisbane delivered Carlton a 22-point smashing in front of 6200 spectators, dominating inside 50s for most of the night, before converting the majority of their scoreboard pressure in the second half of the match. The Blues were goalless until after half time, missing captain, Brianna Davey’s influence across the field. Kate McCarthy was prolific for the Lions, moving well inside 50, while Sophie Conway kicked two final quarter goals to give Carlton no chance at coming back into the match. Maddison Gay and Darcy Vescio were Carlton’s two goalkickers for the night, while Jess Wuetschner and Sabrina Frederick-Traub were named in Brisbane’s best.