The 2026 AFLW season continues this weekend with plenty of intriguing clashes. AFLW Round 3 sees two top six clashes, a battle of eighth versus ninth as well as the Bombers and Tigers playing in the Dreamtime clash in Darwin!
We bring you our best bets for all nine AFLW Round 3 matches below and if you’re keen to follow our tips, then consider joining Dabble
2026 AFLW Round 3 Betting Tips
North Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs
Saturday 12:35pm AEST, UTAS Stadium
A top four clash between two undefeated sides kicks off Round 3 as the Kangaroos and Bulldogs face off in Launceston. As expected, North Melbourne have started the season in great fashion with a 73 point win over Geelong followed up by an 11 point win on the road against Brisbane.
After finishing 18th, 12th and 12th across their last three seasons, 2026 has gotten off to a great start for the Western Bulldogs, with wins over the Suns and Tigers. This week presents a much bigger challenge against the back-to-back reigning premiers. The Bulldogs are 0-5 against the Roos, with their last two defeats coming by margins of 46 and 55 points. The Bulldogs have only scored one goal across their last two games against North Melbourne.
The Kangaroos are unbeaten across their last 31 games, with their last loss coming back in 2023. The Roos last 30 wins have come by an average winning margin of 43 points, and they have made UTAS Stadium a fortress with a 6-1 record at the venue. The defending champs will chalk up another big victory in this clash.
North Melbourne -40.5
$1.92 (1.5 units)
Adelaide vs West Coast
Saturday 2:35pm AEST, Thomas Farms Oval
Adelaide and West Coast will be looking for their first win of the season when they meet at Unley. 2026 has started in uncharted territory for the Crows in their first season under Ryan Davis, with two losses to start the season. Adelaide has made finals in each of the last six seasons, however they have had a difficult fixture playing the Swans and Blues.
The Eagles have been a lot more disappointing, losing winnable games against the Giants and Suns - the bottom two sides in 2025. West Coast couldn’t turn their clearance dominance into anything meaningful, getting beaten at uncontested possessions (-21), disposals (-20), marks (-20) and contested possessions (-7). The Eagles outside game has been a major issue over the opening fortnight, and something they need to fix quickly.
Both teams have struggled to get their best football going across the opening fortnight of the season, so we could be in for a scrappy affair. The Eagles have been the most disappointing side in the league so far, while Adelaide have struggled under a new coach. The Crows have been much more competitive against better opposition and will be confident that if they can keep Ella Roberts quiet, they’ll go a long way towards winning this game. Adelaide have a 12-1 record at Unley and a 4-0 record against the Eagles. They’ll find a way to get on the board in 2026.
Adelaide 1-24
$2.40 (1 unit)
Sydney vs St Kilda
Saturday 4:35pm AEST, C.ex Coffs International Stadium
Sydney have a golden opportunity to start the season with three consecutive wins, as they take on 18th placed St Kilda. The Swans produced a 7-goal-to-3 second half to overpower the Bombers last week, led by Laura Gardiner (29 disposals, 1 goal), Zippy Fish (26 disposals) and Sofia Hurley (24 disposals). After making their first finals appearance in 2025, 2026 has started in poor fashion for the Saints, with losses by 26 and 85 points.
In their defeat to Geelong last week, the Saints were smashed in the contest, losing contested possession -21 and that could be a major problem coming up against the Swans, who dominated the contested possession battle last week. Sydney’s clearance game has stood out across the opening fortnight of the season, ranking 1st in the AFLW for clearances and 5th for goals from stoppages.
The Swans are full of momentum and stood tall after a challenging week leading into Round 2. They’ve been a fast and flashy team over the past few years but now they have the inside grunt that has added serious substance to their game in 2026. Sydney are flying and they will pile on the misery for a struggling St Kilda.
Sydney 25+
$1.95 (1.5 units)
GWS Giants vs Port Adelaide
Sunday 12:35pm AEST, Manuka Oval
Both teams having a 1-1 record, this clash is crucial in gaining ground in the top eight race early in the season. GWS are coming in off a 48-point smashing at the hands of Melbourne, only recording one goal in a disappointing display away from home. Port Adelaide led Hawthorn by 12 points at half time last week, but were dominated in the second half conceding 8 goals to 1 in the second half to go down by 32 points. The Power were held scoreless in the final quarter and will be desperate to bounce back this week.
Port will be looking for another big performance from Abbey Dowrick who is having an excellent start to the season, averaging 24 disposals and a goal per game. Port Adelaide were a poor side interstate last season, with a 1-4 record in games outside of South Australia. The Power are 1-0 so far this season interstate, and will be looking to improve that record in Canberra.
The Giants were smashed around the contest last week, recording -23 contested possessions, which led to a -15 inside 50 differential. In their Round 1 win over West Coast they were able to win the contested possession battle which gave their backline a chance to hold up defensively. If the Giants can be strong around the ball, they can keep this game competitive against a Power outfit that has been shaky away from home. Port’s quality will be too much for GWS, but this will be a close game.
Port Adelaide 1-24
$2.08 (1 unit)
Melbourne vs Brisbane
Sunday 1:05pm AEST, Casey Fields
It’s second versus third as Brisbane travel south to Casey Fields to take on Melbourne. These two clubs have played off in plenty of brilliant games across the history of the competition, and Sunday’s clash should be no different. Melbourne come into this clash second on the ladder with a 2-0 record thanks to wins over Hawthorn and GWS, both coming in impressive fashion.
The Lions are 1-1 after pushing North Melbourne right to the brink last week, being only the second team to get within two goals of the Roos since the 2024 Preliminary Final. The Demons have the number 2 ranked defence across the opening fortnight, conceding only 53 points from their two games so far, so Brisbane will need to be brave in the manner they move the ball. Brisbane are ranked 1st in the league for inside 50’s so if they can get enough supply, they can challenge Melbourne.
The Lions have had the wood over the Dees in recent times, winning the last four games between the two clubs. However across the history of the AFLW, these teams have played in an abundance of close matches, with only 1 of the 12 matchups between the two sides finishing with a margin above 26 points. 6 of the 12 meetings have been decided by single digits, the average winning margin of the 12 clashes has been 12.75 points and we should have another close encounter on Sunday.
Either Team Less Than 15.5
$1.92 (1 unit)
Gold Coast vs Geelong
Sunday 3:05pm AEST, People First Stadium
A crucial early season game takes place on the Gold Coast as the eighth placed Suns host the ninth placed Cats, with both sides coming off victories in Round 2. Geelong bounced back from a hiding in Round 1, delivering a thrashing of their own in an 85-point win over the Saints. The Cats efficiency was supreme, kicking 16.4 from 43 inside 50’s, Jacqueline Parry was the star, kicking 6 goals.
Gold Coast picked up their first win of the season on the back of a 5-goal performance from Alannah Welsh. The 32-point win over West Coast was the Suns second interstate win from their last nine attempts, something they’ll need to continue to improve on. Charlie Rowbottom (26 disposals) and Anne Hatchard (24 disposals) were crucial for the Suns.
As Geelong have shown already this season, they aren’t good enough against the best teams, but they are certainly capable of beating sides around and below them on the ladder. It’s been the tale of the Cats for the last few years, as they match up well against inexperienced sides. Geelong have won three of their four games against the Suns, including a 69-point win at People First Stadium in their last meeting.
Geelong Over 15.5
$1.72 (2 units)
Collingwood vs Hawthorn
Sunday 3:05pm AEST, Victoria Park
Collingwood will be looking to bounce back from an 0-2 start when they host Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon. Defeats to Richmond and Fremantle haven't inspired hope of improvement for the Pies, who have finished 15th, 18th and 11th across their last three seasons.
Hawthorn got back on the winners list in stunning fashion, producing an 8-goal-to-1 second half to steam roll Port Adelaide in a 32-point victory. Poppy Stockwell and Aine McDonagh kicked 3 goals each as the Hawks played the brand of football that saw them finish in the top four last season. When Hawthorn can win the footy at the source, they are incredibly tough to stop.
This should be a pretty straight forward matchup for the Hawks, against a Collingwood side that has lost eight of its last nine games. The Hawks are 2-0 against the Magpies, with an average winning margin of 28 points across those matches. Hawthorn can’t afford to drop a match like this, so expect a ruthless performance as they carry their momentum from the second half of last week.
Hawthorn -22.5
$1.75 (1.5 units)
Fremantle vs Carlton
Sunday 5:05pm AEST, Cockburn ARC Oval
The Blues have started the season in hot fashion, with convincing wins over St Kilda and Adelaide to sit 2-0. Carlton’s defence was outstanding last week, holding Adelaide to three goals despite the Crows winning the inside 50 count by 12. The Blues efficiency inside forward 50 showed why they are one of the best sides in the competition, converting over 50% of their inside 50’s into scores.
Fremantle picked up their first win of the season as their midfield got to work against Collingwood. Mim Strom (28 disposals), Gabrielle Newton (26), Kiara Bowers (26), Aisiling McCarthy (25, 1 goal), Orlah Lally (24) and Matilda Banfield (23) were the top six leading disposal winners. A truly dominant performance from the Dockers midfield, which saw Freo record +77 disposals, +20 contested possessions, +17 clearances and +11 inside 50’s.
Despite the dominance of Fremantle’s midfield last week, it only resulted in a 20-point win against one of the worst sides in the competition. Carlton possesses a much greater challenge for the Dockers, who have missed finals in three of the past four seasons. The Blues should win this game, however these two clubs have a habit of playing close games with the last three games resulting in single digit margins.
Carlton 1-24
$2.40 (1 unit)
Essendon vs Richmond
Sunday 7:20pm AEST, TIO Stadium
Round 3 concludes on Sunday night with the Dreamtime clash in Darwin, as Essendon looks for its first win of the season. The Bombers led at half time against the much favoured Swans last week, however they were overpowered in the second half in a 24-point defeat. Maddy Prespakis has had a scintillating start to the season, with performances of 30 and 32 disposals.
Richmond sit at 1-1 after an 11-point defeat against the Bulldogs, with Tigers unable to match the Dogs on the outside. The Tigers were -87 for disposals, -86 for uncontested possessions and -20 for marks, yet lost the tackle count by 15. The Tigers need to improve their pressure game if they are going to make a push towards the top eight in 2026.
Essendon and Richmond have consistently finished close to each other on the ladder since Essendon joined the competition in 2023, and their matchups have reflected this closeness. The Bombers have won two, Richmond have won one and there has also been a draw across their four meetings - the margins in these matches have been 2, 17, 0 and 15.
Either Team Less Than 15.5
$1.92 (1.5 units)
