A festival of footy is in store for fans over the next two weeks, with 16 games set to take place across rounds seven and eight. This weekend’s action is highlighted by two top six clashes as the Roos and Pies face off in Hobart, while the Lions host the Dees at Metricon Stadium on Monday night. We’ve got you covered with our previews and tips below!
Gold Coast vs Brisbane
Thursday 7:40pm AEDT, Metricon Stadium
The Q Clash that was originally scheduled to take place in Round Three will be played on Thursday night in what will be the first of four games in fifteen days for the Lions. Gold Coast are coming off an eleven point win over Geelong last week to keep themselves firmly in the finals race, sitting one game behind 6th placed Collingwood with a game in hand on the Pies. Brisbane survived a massive scare last week in a five point win over bottom placed St Kilda, with the Lions inaccuracy nearly costing them the win, kicking 3.13.
With the hand Brisbane have been dealt, the Lions won’t be fussed with how their play looks, as long as they can get through the next fortnight with a clean bill of health, they’ll be well placed for a premiership tilt. The reigning premiers have been dominant this season on the back of their surge football, but against the Saints it was their new look backline that led the way with Bre Koenen, Nat Grider, Phoebe Monahan, Indy Tahau and Lulu Pullar putting in a huge performance. Brisbane will take huge confidence out of knowing they can win games in multiple ways.
Although this Suns side is a drastically improved outfit compared to last season, they still lack the seasoned campaigners that Lions have across all lines. Both sides play exciting forward half brands, but Brisbane will be too good for their rivals.
Western Bulldogs vs Geelong
Friday 7:10pm AEDT, Whitten Oval
The Bulldogs pulled off one of the greatest wins in the club’s history, upsetting the previously unbeaten Adelaide by one point at Norwood Oval. A win against the Cats on Friday night would give the Bulldogs three consecutive wins, and would put them right in the finals mix. Geelong suffered an eleven point loss last Friday, despite the margin being close the Cats were dominated in general play. Geelong were -28 for disposals, -18 for clearances, -11 for inside 50’s, -18 for contested possessions and -16 for hitouts. If the Cats bring that form on Friday night, the Bulldogs will wipe them off the park.
Ellie Blackburn (23 disposals), Kirsty Lamb (17 disposals) and Bonnie Toogood (15 disposals, 2 goals) will cause the Cats all sorts of headaches through the midfield and up forward. The Cats conceded their biggest score of the season last week against the Suns, as they struggled to defend the wide expanses of Metricon Stadium. On another big ground at Whitten Oval this week, it’s going to be a tough challenge for Geelong to contain the Bulldogs.
After an interrupted start to their campaign, the Bulldogs have produced some outstanding football over the past three weeks. The Bulldogs have averaged 40 points in their last two games, while the Cats have scored under 28 points in five of their six games this season. The Bulldogs have too much firepower and will register a comfortable victory against Geelong.
Western Bulldogs (-12.5)
$1.89
GWS Giants vs Adelaide
Saturday 3:10pm AEDT, Henson Park
Adelaide had their undefeated season brought to a shock end by the Western Bulldogs, in a one point loss last weekend. The Crows will be looking to get back on the winners list when they travel to Sydney to take on the Giants. GWS are coming off a 37 point defeat to Melbourne, where they could only manage two shots on goal.
The Giants didn’t register a score until the final three minutes of the game, and once again showed how far off they are from competing against the top six teams. GWS’ two wins this season have come against teams outside of the top six and their three losses have been by margins of 27, 32 and 37 points against top six sides.
The Crows have enjoyed playing against GWS across the history of the AFLW. Adelaide have a 3-1-1 record in five meetings against the Giants, with their three victories coming by an average margin of 38 points. Adelaide’s statistical profile makes for scary reading for the Giants, with the Crows the third highest scoring team in the league, averaging 42 points per game this season. To go with their attack, the Crows have the best defence in the AFLW conceding an average score of just 20 points, the fewest in the competition. It’s going to be another tough day at the office for the Giants, expect a big bounce back from Adelaide.
Carlton vs St Kilda
Saturday 5:10pm AEDT, Ikon Park
The bottom two sides in the AFLW face off at Ikon Park on Saturday afternoon as St Kilda takes on Carlton. The Saints fell agonising short of their first win of the season, in a five point loss against Brisbane last weekend. Carlton were on the end of another smashing, losing by 42 points to Fremantle.
Carlton are 1-5 and have lost their last four games by margins of 35, 30, 39 & 42 points. The Saints are 0-6 but have been building momentum with losses of 2 points and 5 points in their last two games. They've also been competitve against two of the league's best sides in Brisbane and Melbourne, which should hold them in good stead taking on a side like Carlton. The Blues haven't been able to defend this season, with the worst ranked defence in the competition, conceding an average of 46 points per game. Carlton have conceded an average score of 51 points per game across the last three weeks.
This is a golden opportunity for the Saints to pick up their first win in 2022. Carlton have been drastically out of form and are right there for the picking. St Kilda have been continually improving, and a well placed to cause an upset on Saturday afternoon.
West Coast Eagles vs Richmond
Saturday 7:10pm AEDT, Mineral Resources Park
After their first win of the season, the Eagles came crashing back to earth as Collingwood defeated West Coast by 24 points in their first game at home this season. The Eagles are back at Mineral Resources Park once again, taking on Richmond who have lost five consecutive games. The Tigers went down by 18 points to North Melbourne last week, and are still searching for their first win since the opening night of the AFLW season.
One big positive for Richmond this season has been their attacking game. Despite sitting in tenth place on the ladder the Tigers, they rank fifth in the league for scoring, averaging 35 points per game. The Eagles rank 13th in this category, averaging just 20 points per game in 2022. Richmond have kicked five or more goals in four of their six games this season, while the Eagles have only hit the five goal mark once.
Collingwood proved last week that the Eagles aren’t strong enough of a side to make use of the home ground advantage they possess, and teams won’t fear heading to WA to play them in the back half of this season. West Coast don’t have enough attacking firepower to put opposing sides under pressure, and Richmond will relish the opportunity to go all guns blazing in attack.
North Melbourne vs Collingwood
Sunday 3:10pm AEDT, North Hobart Oval
North Hobart Oval plays host to a battle of fourth vs sixth on the AFLW, when North Melbourne take on Collingwood. The Roos extended their winning streak to four games with a win over Richmond last week, as the Pies snapped a two game losing streak by beating West Coast.
North Melbourne’s ability to control matches through their possession has been the highlight of their play in the last month. The Kangaroos are ranked first in the league for disposals and second for marks, this balanced control is the reason they have a top five ranked attack and defence. North Melbourne have conceded just 22 points per game this season, the third fewest in the AFLW. Collingwood have struggled to score against the better sides in the competition, only scoring one goal against Brisbane and Fremantle.
The home ground advantage in Tasmania is another big factor for North Melbourne. The Kangaroos have a 4-0 record at North Hobart Oval, with an average winning margin of 24 points. Collingwood have failed their two challenges against top six opposition miserably this season, and with North Melbourne’s balance on both sides of the ball, it’s difficult to see the Pies kicking a winning score.
North Melbourne (-10.5)
$1.88
Brisbane vs Melbourne
Monday 7:10pm AEDT, Metricon Stadium
Brisbane play their second game of the weekend in a blockbuster matchup against the Demons on Monday night. It looms as a massive challenge for the Lions, with Melbourne coming off a 37 demolition of GWS, while the Lions are playing their second game inside of five days. Coming into this weekend the Demons are in third place on the ladder with a 5-1 record, with Brisbane in 5th with a 4-1 record. If the Lions can win both of their games this weekend, they’ll be inside of the top four.
Melbourne will have a massive advantage given their fresh legs, and they have enjoyed coming up against the Lions in recent seasons. The Demons are 3-1 against Brisbane in four AFLW clashes. Melbourne will be looking to run Brisbane ragged with their possession football given the Lions, which will set the game up perfectly for them come the second half.
How will Brisbane be affected by the short turnaround? It’s a near certainty that they will have to rest some players given their stacked fixture, which will make things tough for them against Melbourne. Plus the players who do front up will be at a major disadvantage to their opponents. This game should be an excellent contest between two premiership contenders, but with the Demons having a nine day turnaround, they’ll be much better prepared to run out four quarters than the Lions.
Tip: Melbourne, odds will be posted when available
