AS TWO monster eight-match rounds commence, some important postponed games have been rescheduled for this week. Thursday will see the QClash that was originally scheduled for round three, while Fremantle will get a bye after banking games in Melbourne.
The Western Bulldogs are set to back up their impressive win in Adelaide with two games in round seven, and Sunday will see a rematch of last year’s tight qualifying final between North Melbourne and Collingwood.
Thursday, February 17
Gold Coast v Brisbane at Metricon Stadium, 6.40pm AEST
- The QClash is back on the agenda, and the timing couldn’t have worked better for Gold Coast as it finds its groove both around the ball and into attack. The Suns are the highest-pressure team in the competition, and it was pressure on the ball carrier that limited Brisbane’s typically quick ball movement against the Saints last week. With Jamie Stanton’s strong defensive game through the midfield and the form of Emily Bates, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Stanton run with Bates on Thursday.
- Brisbane has shown it knows how to win—whether it’s a big win, or a grind to the final siren. The Lions are a team that just know how to stick it out, and have a defensive line that can withstand plenty. Last time these two sides met, Brisbane moved the ball forward with ease and took a record 22 marks inside 50, this time they will be without Dakota Davidson, but the combination of Jesse Wardlaw and Taylor Smith up forward is likely to stretch a Suns defence that is without Jade Pregelj.
- Tip: Gold Coast has found some real style this year, but the Lions will be too strong across the board. Brisbane by 10 points.
SUNS v LIONS Full match coverage and stats
Friday, February 18
Western Bulldogs v Geelong at VU Whitten Oval, 7.10pm AEDT
- The Western Bulldogs will be flying off the back of arguably the best win in club history, but have to back it up after a five-day break. Against Adelaide they did the damage out of the middle of the ground - particularly from effective centre clearances. Ellie Blackburn and Kirsty Lamb are leading the way for the Dogs, moving the ball into attack quickly from the centre, while Georgie Prespakis, Amy McDonald and Rebecca Webster are the reliable engine room for Geelong. Winning the midfield battle will go a long way toward determining the victor, and the Dogs have the benefit of Celine Moody and Alice Edmonds paring strongly in the ruck.
- For much of the season Chloe Scheer has been played out of the goalsquare for the Cats, and has struggled to get involved in games as Geelong has been creating limited forward 50 opportunities. Against the Suns last week, however, Scheer began at half forward and impressively set up the first two goals of the game with her vision and kicking inside 50. It will be important for the Cats to utilise her broader skillset again this weekend, rather than starve her of opportunities by playing her deep.
- Tip: Geelong will challenge, but the Dogs will take the momentum from Sunday into this one. Bulldogs by 18 points.
BULLDOGS v CATS Full match coverage and stats
Saturday, February 19
Greater Western Sydney v Adelaide at Henson Park, 3.10pm AEDT
- Both teams in this matchup are coming off what they would internally be viewing as disappointing losses. The Giants got the ball inside 50 only 17 times for just three shots on goal on Saturday, even with key forwards Cora Staunton and Rebecca Privitelli in the side. Finding some control from their midfield strength will be vital if they’re to move into attack with composure.
- Adelaide was jumped, and their defence was slightly exposed off the back of fast movement into its defensive 50. This is unlikely to happen two games in a row as the Crows developed some control around the ball. The Giants aren’t typically a quick team going forward, which means Adelaide will be able to find its uncontested kick-mark game around the ground.
- Tip: The Crows will bounce back in style. Adelaide by 30 points.
GIANTS v CROWS Full match coverage and stats
Carlton v St Kilda at Ikon Park, 5.10pm AEDT
- Carlton proved last week that if it can show some strong defence through the middle of the ground it can go with the best teams in the competition. The problem is, the Blues didn’t do it for long enough against Fremantle. St Kilda has found a way to push good sides by applying pressure and closing space. This one is likely to be a scrap, and the side that can best utilise pressure will finish on top.
- A slow start to the season for key forward Caitlin Greiser and a return from a long layoff for Nicola Xenos made life hard in attack for the Saints early, but with both of those players firing the side is starting to look genuinely dangerous when they get the ball forward. Greiser’s work rate up the field and positioning inside 50 made her threatening against the Lions, while Xenos’ forward pressure has been vital in recent weeks.
- Tip: The Saints are pushing ever closer to its first win of 2022, and this looks like the best week to do it. St Kilda by one point.
BLUES v SAINTS Full match coverage and stats
West Coast v Richmond at Mineral Resources Park, 4.10pm AWST
- When playing on bigger grounds, a game style is starting to emerge for West Coast. Focusing on speed, run and carry, emptying out the forward line to get the ball out the front into space. Playing at home again allows them a chance to find that style of play again, albeit in stifling hot conditions. The work rate of Richmond’s wings will be really important in ensuring the Eagles don’t get the ball out to the open side at will.
- The midfield battle will be an interesting one. Richmond has relied heavily on Monique Conti to do the bulk of work around the ball, although Ellie McKenzie’s return has provided some relief. The Eagles, however, boast an impressive on-ball brigade, including captain Emma Swanson, Dana Hooker and Bella Lewis. Key for West Coast will be capitalising on the midfield dominance they often have, and turning that into scoreboard pressure.
- Tip: Richmond is fighting hard despite key players missing, but this is a chance for West Coast to register a second win for the season. Eagles by two points.
EAGLES v TIGERS Full match coverage and stats
Sunday, February 20
North Melbourne v Collingwood at North Hobart Oval, 3.10pm AEDT
- This will be another chapter in the evolving rivalry between these two clubs. North Melbourne is flying high, averaging 42 points per game across the last four rounds, and has enjoyed an uptick in form from both Jasmine Garner and Tahlia Randall. On top of this, the Kangaroos have never lost a game in Tasmania from seven outings, averaging 47 points per game in the island state.
- Collingwood might have won in style on Sunday in trying conditions, but the concern is that it might have covered over a few ongoing issues at the club. Chloe Molloy added a different dimension in the middle and Stacey Livingstone spent some time as a presence up forward, but will that style of attack hold up against a side the competes well at the contest and uses the ball better than any other team in the competition?
- Tip: North Melbourne will likely continue its winning ways in Tasmania. Roos by 15 points.
KANGAROOS v MAPGIES Full match coverage and stats
Monday, February 21
Brisbane v Melbourne at Metricon Stadium, 6.10pm AEST
- Brisbane will be coming off a Thursday night match to face Melbourne, who will have had an eight-day break. Long layoff or not, these are two of the most skilful teams in the competition, and on the protected deck of Metricon Stadium have the potential to put on a show. Both sides boast an impressive array of key forwards, but also ground level forward pressure.
- Brisbane has the run of Orla O’Dwyer, Greta Bodey, Cathy Svarc and Sophie Conway on its side, becoming particularly damaging when getting the ball to the outside. Melbourne, however, looks for supporting runners from behind, quick handballs and neat kicks into the corridor. Once inside 50, Melbourne has fired off a shot at goal more than half the time, but letting the side down is its accuracy in front of goal, meanwhile Brisbane is taking a shot at goal only 32 per cent of the time.
- Tip: Likely to go down to the wire, but the Demons' depth will ultimately win out. Melbourne by two points.
LIONS v DEMONS Full match coverage and stats
Tuesday, February 22
Gold Coast v Western Bulldogs at Norwood Oval, 4.40pm ACDT
- What has been most impressive about both of these teams is the makeup of their midfield groups. The Dogs have the strength and power of Ellie Blackburn, Kirsty Lamb and Jess Fitzgerald, while the Suns have evasiveness and ball winning ability in spades thanks to Alison Drennan, Charlie Rowbottom and Jamie Stanton. These two midfield styles going head-to-head will have a big say in the result of the game.
- The ruck battle will be an interesting one, with Celine Moody becoming one of the most dangerous Dogs on the park this year. What Moody and ruck partner Alice Edmonds have been able to do around the ground, competing in the air and positioning particularly well in defence, has done a lot for the Bulldogs’ fortunes. For the Suns, Lauren Bella’s hitout dominance will give their mids first possession more often than not.
- Tip: The well-drilled Bulldogs defence will be well placed to limit the output of a dynamic Gold Coast forward line, but it will be a close one. Western Bulldogs by five points.
SUNS v BULLDOGS Full match coverage and stats
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