The race to the finals begins as we enter the second half of the AFLW season. Round 6 sees a top of the table clash between Melbourne and Adelaide, with only one side to remain unbeaten in 2023. It’s a big weekend of football and we’ve got you covered with our preview of this weekend’s action!
Although the men's season has finished, there's still plenty of AFLW action, so be sure to head over to our AFL Tips page to stay up to date with all of our previews!
AFLW 2023 Round 6 Preview & Betting Tips
Melbourne vs Adelaide
Casey Fields, Saturday 3:05pm AEDT
Casey Fields plays host to the biggest game of the home and away season as Melbourne take on Adelaide in a top of the table clash. The Demons and Crows are the only undefeated teams left in the competition with five wins, and percentages of 306.9% and 264.3% respectively. Melbourne’s five wins have come by an average margin of 53 points, with all five wins coming by at least seven goals in what has been a dominant campaign by the reigning premiers. Adelaide come into this clash on the back of a comfortable 32 point win over the Gold Coast, led by an outstanding performance from their defence who held the Suns to just two goals.
Melbourne are the number one scoring team in the competition averaging 79 points per game, more than two goals better than the next best side in Adelaide. The Demons have scored over ten goals in all five games, and have the league’s leading goal kicker in Kate Hore. Eden Zanker (4th) and Alyssa Bannan (12th) also rank inside the top fifteen in the competition, and have had a consistent spread of goal kickers across all their games this season which has made them so hard to defend.
After losing the 2022 Grand Final to the Crows, Melbourne defeated Adelaide in both fixtures in Season 7 by 18 and 21 points. If Tyla Hanks and Olivia Purcell can give the Demons the ascendancy in the midfield they’re going to be hard to defeat, despite the quality of the Adelaide defence. Melbourne are irrepressible at the moment and although the result won’t be as one sided as their first five games, the Demons will send a statement to the competition as the clear number one team in the competition.
Melbourne -14.5
$1.85 (2 Units)
Brisbane vs Collingwood
Brighton Homes Arean, Saturday 7:15pm AEDT
Brisbane will be aiming for a fifth straight victory on Saturday evening when they host Colingwood, who need a win to remain in the top eight race. The Pies ended their two game losing streak with a desperately needed win over Essendon, which has Collingwood within a game of the top eight. With Melbourne and Adelaide playing each other, there’s an opportunity for Brisbane to climb into the top four with a victory on Saturday night.
Although the scoreline read as only a 27 point victory against the Hawks, it was a dominant performance by the Lions. Brisbane won the disposal count by 36 and the contested possessions by 12, which led to a +22 advantage for inside 50’s. Ally Anderson has led the way in the Brisbane midfield averaging 28.4 disposals per game, and the Pies are going to have a tough task containing one of the most inform midfielders in the competition.
Had the Lions kicked straighter than 8.11 against the Hawks, it would’ve been a much larger margin, and the Pies could be on the end of a dominant performance from Brisbane if they can’t gain any control in the middle of the ground. The Lions have loved playing against the Pies, with Brisbane having won five straight games against Collingwood, with their last two wins coming by margins of 50 and 45 points. Collingwood's defence was taken to the cleaners on the opening night of the season by Melbourne, and Brisbane has a forward line that is capable of putting up a huge score against the Pies.
Brisbane -28.5
$1.87 (2 Units)
Richmond vs Gold Coast
Ikon Park, Sunday 3:05pm AEDT
It’s fifth versus seventh in a crucial clash at Ikon Park as the Tigers take on the Suns in a clash that will shape the bottom half of the top eight. With 5th to 10th place on the ladder only being separated by percentage, this is the definition of an eight point game. Gold Coast’s three game winning streak came to a grinding halt as they were held to just two goals in a 32 point defeat to Adelaide. The Suns trailed for the entirety of the game and although they were competitive, it proved the difference in the quality between the Suns and the elite sides of the competition.
Richmond will be kicking themselves after dropping a game against Fremantle last week, which could have had the Tigers on the verge of the top four. Despite the Dockers being without Kiara Bowers and Ebony Antonio, Richmond conceded the first four goals of the game, which proved to be the difference. Richmond got their game in the second half kicking three goals to one, but they need to be able to produce their attacking game for four quarters if they’re to get over the Suns on Sunday.
Although they didn’t win, Gold Coast won the contested possession, clearance and inside 50 counts against the Crows. If they bring that quality around the ball then they will give Richmond’s midfield big issues, given the lack of depth in the middle of the ground for the Tigers. The Suns are the fifth highest scoring team in the competition averaging 45 points per game and despite being the outsiders in this clash, have been more consistent this season. Given Richmond’s inability to put together four quarters, the Suns are a major chance to cause an upset on the road.
More Round 6 Tips
Western Bulldogs vs Carlton - Ikon Park, Friday 7:15pm AEDT
Carlton survived a massive scare from Sydney last week, Carlton dominated the territory battle in the second half, but couldn’t put it on the scoreboard. Although the Blues weren’t at their best, they’ll be too strong for the winless Bulldogs who have had an average losing margin of 18.5 points.
Tip: Carlton -10.5, $1.85 with Ladbrokes
GWS vs West Coast - Blacktown ISP, Saturday 1:05pm AEST
West Coast snapped a ten game losing streak with a six point win over Port Adelaide last week, and get a chance to make it two in a row when they take on the winless Giants. GWS will come out firing with a golden opportunity to pick up their first win of the season. The Giants have won two of their three games against the Eagles and have won three of their last five games in Blacktown.
Tip: GWS, $1.57 with Ladbrokes
St Kilda vs Hawthorn - RSEA Park, Saturday 3:05pm AEST
The Saints will be looking to keep themselves in the top eight race when they host Hawthorn on Saturday afternoon. The Saints kicked their highest score of the season in their win over the Dogs last week and kicked their highest score of last season against the Hawks in a 53 point win. The Hawks were competitive last week, but lack the offensive quality to challenge the Saints.
Tip: St Kilda -13.5, $1.87 with Ladbrokes
Port Adelaide vs Sydney - Alberton Oval, Saturday 5:05pm AEST
Port Adelaide will be desperate to bounce back after a shock loss against West Coast, against an improving Sydney outfit. The Power cost themselves last week kicking 4.9, and if they can kick straight, shouldn't have any issues against the Swans. The Power defeated the Swans by 66 points the last time they met, expect a big response from Port.
Tip: Port Adelaide, $1.75 with Ladbrokes
Essendon vs Geelong - Reid Oval, Sunday 1:05pm AEST
Essendon and Geelong go head to head in another eight point game that will shape the eight, with both clubs having 3-2 records. The Cats backline strangled the Bombers in Warrnambool last season, and with the improvement at the attacking end of the ground this season, will be too strong for the young Bombers. Geelong has kicked at least ten goals in all three of their wins this season, while Essendon have failed to kick more than seven goals in a game this year.
Tip: Geelong -9.5, $1.87 with Ladbrokes
Fremantle vs North Melbourne - Fremantle Oval, Sunday 5:05pm AEST
Fremantle will be riding high after a brave win over the Tigers, however they’re in for a reality check against the Kangaroos. North Melbourne grinded the Giants into the ground last week, holding GWS to just two points in a 30 point win. The Roos are the number one defence in the league conceding just sixteen points per game this season, and won’t have any issues covering the line in this match.
Tip: North Melbourne -25.5, $1.87 with Ladbrokes
