JUST 138 days after Adelaide claimed its third premiership, the AFLW is back for season seven.
Round one features blockbusters galore, including the season opener between Carlton and Collingwood, a Grand Final rematch between Adelaide and Melbourne, and the introduction of four new clubs across a big Saturday of football.
Thursday, August 25
Carlton v Collingwood at Ikon Park, 7:10pm AEST
Since the inaugural AFLW match back in February 2017, Carlton and Collingwood have faced off six times. Just six players have played in every one of those matches (Britt Bonnici, Sophie Casey, Steph Chiocci, Stacey Livingstone, Breann Moody, and Darcy Vescio), representing the significant change each list has undergone in the last six seasons. The sides are also even on the ledger, each winning three matches - Carlton the first three, Collingwood the most recent three - with an average margin of 14.7 points.
Collingwood's forward line is the big watch this season. It has gone through progressive changes since 2019 to find a potent mix and has most recently added Olivia Barber - who will spend time through the ruck as well - while both Abbi Moloney and Imogen Barnett have steadily improved since joining the club. If the Pies can find some good transition between midfield and forward, they have a real chance to expose Carlton's defence in the air and force the typically rebounding duo of Kerryn Peterson and Mua Laloifi to play accountable one-on-one footy.
Tip: Much of this game will be played in Collingwood's forward half and the Blues' dam wall will show some cracks. Pies by 18 points.
Friday, August 26
Adelaide v Melbourne at Glenelg Oval, 7:40pm ACST
This season's Grand Final rematch has been moved away from Norwood Oval due to the conditions and will now take place at Glenelg Oval. Adelaide has a stronghold at Norwood, able to suffocate teams on the narrow ground, so the marginally wider ground of Glenelg will provide Melbourne some extra space to move the ball.
What Adelaide has done particularly well against the Demons in its last three wins over the side is shut down their stacked forward line. Over the past two seasons Melbourne has averaged nearly four different goalkickers per game, generating 41.6 points for. Against the Crows, however, this has fallen to 1.7 goal kickers and 17.3 points. The Crows are starving Melbourne of opportunity - since 2021 the Dees average 30.7 inside 50s, but only 26 against Adelaide - and also making those entries less effective. Marking inside 50 has been key for Melbourne in generating scores, averaging 7.3 in the last two seasons, but just four per game against Adelaide.
Tip: Adelaide knows how to slow down Melbourne better than any side. Adelaide by seven points.
YOUR CLUB’S LIST Every team locked in for AFLW season seven
Saturday, August 27
North Melbourne v Gold Coast at Blundstone Arena, 1:10pm AEST
These sides have played each other just once - in round four, 2020 - and both have changed significantly in the time since. In that game, where North Melbourne won by 13 points, Jasmine Garner won 30 disposals and six clearances, earning the maximum 10 AFLCA votes and three competition best and fairest votes. Since that game, the Kangaroos have enjoyed 16 wins, Gold Coast just four.
It is vital for the Suns that they come close to breaking even through the midfield, otherwise their defensive line will be under siege for the game. The Ash Riddell, Jenna Bruton, Ellie Gavalas, Garner combination will be strong around the ball and if Gold Coast's complement of Charlie Rowbottom, Alison Drennan, Claudia Whitfort and Jamie Stanton can slow down their transition forward then the Suns will be in with a shout.
Tip: The new-look Kangaroos forward line will get them over the line. North Melbourne by 20 points.
West Coast v Port Adelaide at Mineral Resources Park, 1:10pm AWST
Port Adelaide will be the first of the four expansion sides to take to the park in round one, with a trip west to take on the Eagles, who are effectively a new side themselves thanks to so many off-season changes. Throughout practice matches Port Adelaide has shown its ability to put together neat end-to-end passages of play to generate scoring opportunities, so a pressure game from West Coast will be needed to unsettle this execution.
Key for the Eagles will be to show improvement at each end of the ground. Last season they averaged just 22.2 points per game - the seventh lowest in AFLW history - and conceded a massive 51.7 points each week - the third-most since the competition began. They have added some firepower with Kate Bartlett and Krstel Petrevski, but have lost some depth down back, so it's important they apply enough pressure up the field to protect their backline.
Tip: Port Adelaide is going to start strongly and break through the Eagles' defences. Port Adelaide by five points.
Sydney v St Kilda at North Sydney Oval, 5:10pm AEST
Much like West Coast, the Saints struggled to score last season and spent the offseason bolstering their forward line by adding Grace Kelly, Nicola Stevens, and J'Noemi Anderson. After goaling from just 11.8 per cent of inside 50s last season, and averaging just 21.3 points per game, St Kilda will no doubt be focused on improving the efficiency of their attacking forays. This will also be helped by added strength around the midfield with the return of Georgia Patrikios.
Sydney showed plenty during its preseason hit outs, strong around the ball and potent up forward. Where they can be exposed, however, is down back, particularly if a big key forward like Caitlin Greiser gets plenty of aerial supply, so it is important for them to stay switched on up the field to support their backline.
Tip: The Swans will start strong in their first game but fade slightly to open the door for St Kilda. Saints by two points.
Essendon v Hawthorn at Marvel Stadium, 7:10pm AEST
Moved to Marvel Stadium due to high ticket demand, the introduction of both Essendon and Hawthorn will now be on the big stage. Both sides have stacked their lists with established players but shape up in very different ways. For Hawthorn there is a dearth between its older, experienced players and bright young talent, whereas Essendon is a bit more evenly spread.
The Bombers' midfield and forward line are exciting, and in preseason matches have shown an ability to win ball and hit the scoreboard. In front of the ball the combination of co-captain Bonnie Toogood, Daria Bannister, and draftee Paige Scott spells trouble for Hawthorn's backline if Essendon can move it inside 50 quickly. The lead up and contested marking ability of the trio, combined with their follow up at ground level will be exceptionally hard for the Hawks to contain, and in attempting to do so they simply cannot flood into defence and lose structure ahead of the ball.
Tip: Essendon will take the win in its first ever AFLW match. The Bombers by 15 points.
AFLW FIXTURE Who does your team play in season seven?
Sunday, August 28
Western Bulldogs v Greater Western Sydney at Ikon Park, 12:10pm AEST
These are two clubs with huge potential for improvement this season. The Giants, with new coach Cam Bernasconi at the helm, have focused on youth and attack throughout the off season and with that comes some key player movements. Georgia Garnett will play as a key forward this season alongside Cora Staunton, and onballers Chloe Dalton and Alicia Eva look primed to add outside run and carry to the side, driving the ball into attack. Around the ball, vice-captain Alyce Parker will no doubt continue to take charge, and head to head with Ellie Blackburn that will be the matchup to watch.
That outside run is also a priority for the young Western Bulldogs. A strong backline that doesn't only look to stop opposition forwards but generate attacking chains with its rebounding ability. That slingshot footy is something the Dogs have been developing in recent seasons and now look primed to really execute.
Tip: It will go down to the wire, but the home side will get the job done. Western Bulldogs by three points.
Brisbane v Fremantle at the Gabba, 2:10pm AEST
The toughest of opening fixtures for Fremantle, who have the longest trip in footy to face a bullocking Brisbane side at home. Without key on field leaders Ebony and Kara Antonio, it is others who need to bring composure on the field, particularly going inside 50. With a very different forward structure the Dockers need to be smart about how they move into attack, even more so given they will be taking on a relentless Brisbane backline. It is an opportunity, however, for young Amy Franklin to use her height and exploit the Lions' lack of tall defenders.
Brisbane will look to win the ball at the contest and maintain territory control to wear down the Dockers' defence. With a trio of forwards standing over 180cm and strong in the air, and the likes of Greta Bodey and Courtney Hodder at their feet, the Lions are a particularly frightening prospect for any defensive line.
Tip: The experience of Brisbane will see them get over the line. Brisbane by 18 points.
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Geelong v Richmond at GMHBA Stadium, 4:10pm AEST
A more exciting fixture to close the round than most might realise, these are two sides who are desperately looking to move up the ladder this season. Richmond looks ready to genuinely challenge for finals for the first time, with its quick ball movement from a newly deep midfield into a forward line loaded with Courtney Wakefield, Katie Brennan, Sarah D'Arcy, and Stephanie Williams.
Without the ever-reliable interceptor Maddy McMahon down back for Geelong, Richmond's marking prowess will no doubt be front of mind for the home side. Should they allow enough supply, the Tigers have the potential to pile on a big score, which would be worst case scenario for the Cats. To combat this, Geelong needs to become more efficient out of the contest. Winning clearances as they have done in recent seasons, but actually turn that into attacking drives.
Tip: The Tigers look the goods this season. Richmond by 12 points.
