{"id":131014,"date":"2023-05-05T15:54:04","date_gmt":"2023-05-05T05:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/?p=131014"},"modified":"2023-05-05T15:54:07","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T05:54:07","slug":"preview-vflw-2023-round-7-halfway-point-arrives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/central.rookieme.com\/afl\/2023\/05\/05\/preview-vflw-2023-round-7-halfway-point-arrives\/","title":{"rendered":"Preview | VFLW 2023 Round 7: Halfway point arrives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Faster than Angelica Gogos<\/a> chasing down an opponent, we have reached the halfway point of the 2023 VFL Women\u2019s season this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This season really has been like no other, with so much unpredictability and very little certainty about who is going to win each week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also with only half a game separating the bottom half of the ladder from the top half, there is still so much to play for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This weekend\u2019s action begins in Preston tomorrow morning with the Falcons hosting the Hawks. These two teams could not be coming into the clash off more different results, so will have very different objectives coming into the clash. The Hawks will go into the clash as favourites even though they are not as familiar with the ground as the Falcons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Darebin has not made too many changes to its side, only bringing in Ashleigh Gunn<\/a> for Steph Normington-Dickens<\/a>, while there is a very young flavour to Box Hill\u2019s inclusions, with a number of Eastern Ranges stars coming in. This includes likely draftees Alyssia Pisano<\/a>, Laura Stone<\/a> <\/strong>and <\/strong>Jess Vukic<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Down in Geelong at the same time tomorrow Geelong will be battling Collingwood in what could be a fascinating clash. Both in the top six and both in good form so this could be a tantalising clash. Geelong has won the last two clashes between the pair but Collingwood won the last time they played at Deakin Uni and is currently leading the head to head ledger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Olivia Fuller<\/a> <\/strong>headlines Geelong\u2019s inclusions this week, but fellow AFLW Cat <\/strong>Kalani Scoullar<\/a> is among the outs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile the Magpies have made six changes, bringing in the likes of Tricia Cowan<\/a> <\/strong>and <\/strong>Nyakoat Dojiok<\/a> <\/strong>for the likes of <\/strong>Imogen Evans<\/a> <\/strong>and <\/strong>Eleri Morris<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back in Melbourne tomorrow afternoon Casey is travelling up the freeway to take on the Blues at Ikon Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this clash had taken place last season the expectations for it on paper would be very different to what they are today. Despite Carlton having never beaten the Dees at their home ground, it is in better form than the Dees are this season so would be expected to get the job done tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Injuries have not been too kind to Carlton this week, but that has allowed it to bring back experienced heads Mia Cowan<\/a> <\/strong>and <\/strong>Taylah Kolevski<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile for the Dees they have only made the two changes, losing Georgia Gall<\/a> but gaining a debutant in Eastern Ranges defender Kasey Phillips<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final match tomorrow is in Port Melbourne where the Borough will be hosting North Melbourne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Port Melbourne is likely to go into this match as favourites based on 2023 form, but recent history between the pair is so even that may not be a foregone conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both sides have made a whopping five changes each to their sides from last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Borough gain back skipper Claire Dyett<\/a>, while Stella Reid<\/a>, who was arguably best on ground in last week\u2019s win, is among the omissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile for the Kangaroos Ciara Fitzgerald<\/a> is among the ins, while Ruby Tripodi<\/a> is being managed this week so has to miss out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first of two clashes on Sunday is back in Port Melbourne where the Bulldogs will be taking on Williamstown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This clash may between the 10th placed side and the 11th, both sides will see this clash as the perfect chance for a win and to kick start the back half of their season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These sides have never met at ETU Stadium, but the Seagulls have won the last two clashes between these two sides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bulldogs have brought in two debutants this week, bringing in Ashleigh Snow <\/strong>and <\/strong>Kiera Whiley<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile for the Seagulls, Aliesha Newman<\/a> is back in, but Alana Sarec<\/a> is out injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The final game of the round is in Tullamarine, and it is the second Grand Final rematch of the year between Essendon and the Southern Saints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Saints won the clash between the two sides earlier in the year and have never lost to the Bombers at the Hangar, but Essendon is in some ominous form at the moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Injuries have not been too kind to the Bombers this week, but it has allowed them to bring back Amelia Radford<\/a> <\/strong>and bring in <\/strong>Ellyse Gamble<\/a> for her first VFLW game in the red and black.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile for the Saints they have also made plenty of changes, six in total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madi<\/a> <\/a>Capsalis<\/a> and Tayla Kearns<\/a> highlight the ins, but they come in at the expense of the likes of Nicole Cormack<\/a> and Maighan Fogas<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VFLW Round 7 Fixture<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Darebin vs Box Hill \u2013 Saturday at 10:30am – Preston City Oval<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Geelong vs Collingwood \u2013 Saturday at 10:30am \u2013 Deakin Uni<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carlton vs Casey \u2013 Saturday at 2:15pm \u2013 Ikon Park<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Port Melbourne vs North Melbourne \u2013 Saturday at 7pm \u2013 ETU Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Western Bulldogs vs Williamstown \u2013 Sunday at 10:30am \u2013 ETU Stadium<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Essendon vs Southern Saints \u2013 Sunday at 11am \u2013 The Hangar<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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