Melbourne v Brisbane Lions
7.05pm (EDT), Friday, March 2
Casey Fields
Pre-game activities for fans: Hit/Fox Radio Network tent featuring music, photo opportunities with AFLW player cut-outs, footy drills and plenty of giveaways.
RETURNING home after an eight-day road trip, Melbourne looks to get its season back on track after two straight losses.
The Demons made four changes after a trying fortnight. Forward Eden Zanker, the club’s first pick in the 2017 NAB AFLW Draft, will make her debut, while Brooke Patterson, Lauren Pearce and Claudia Whitfort (also in line to play her first match) were named in the side on Thursday afternoon.
They replace injured defender Meg Downie (shoulder), and omitted trio Erin Hoare, Laura Duryea, and Alyssa Mifsud.
Captain Daisy Pearce will look to put a disappointing performance behind her after being curtailed by Collingwood’s Brittany Bonnici last weekend. Vice-captain Elise O’Dea said it was up to Pearce’s teammates to help her perform.
"Daisy has been tagged her whole football career because she's a gun, but it shouldn't be left up to one player," O'Dea told AFL.com.au.
"We should be looking after her to make sure we're bringing her into the game and making sure she's not copping too much heat off the ball.”
AFLW teams: Harris back as Blues wield axe
Second-placed Brisbane, which won in poor conditions at this venue last year, made one change to the team that beat Fremantle last weekend, recalling Shannon Campbell who missed last weekend with illness.
The Lions are yet to drop an away match since the competition started last year.
"Our record away from home is phenomenal, we haven't lost a game away from home…the travel doesn't bother our girls," club CEO Greg Swann said.
Swann confirmed the Gabba would be available for the Grand Final if the Lions finished first for a second year straight.
"It's going to be hard. The Bulldogs are sitting pretty on top, but there's still three games to go, so who knows.
Jess Wuetschner (r) has been in great form for the Lions. Picture: AFL Photos
Fremantle v Greater Western Sydney
2.05pm (WST), Saturday, March 3
Fremantle Oval
Pre-game activities for fans: Hit Radio Network tent featuring Hit FM stars Heidi Anderson and ex-Hawk and Eagle Xavier Ellis, music, photo booth, interactive games and plenty of giveaways.
Greater Western Sydney will look to move on from its disappointing draw with Adelaide last weekend. The Giants face Fremantle, which they drew with last year.
GWS recalled Renee Tomkins and Maddy Collier, replacing veteran midfielder Renee Forth and recent debutant Pippa Smyth.
Vice-captain Alicia Eva believes the team can rebound.
“We’re heading into this week all guns blazing,” Eva told SEN.
“We know we need to win…we know we need to keep winning if there is any chance [of playing in the Grand Final].”
After playing two of their four games in wet weather, Eva is hopeful of better conditions.
“It will help if it doesn’t bucket down. Hopefully we can play some footy in dry weather and put our skills on show,” she said.
“When we played Collingwood we opened up the game with our run and…played with a bit of flair.”
Fremantle has made two changes. Jade de Melo will play her first game, with Tayla McAuliffe expected to take most of the ruck work. They replace omitted pair Ashley Sharp and Jodie White.
Defender Alex Williams will face her old side for the first time.
Fremantle coach Michelle Cowan said her midfield faced a big challenge.
“[The Giants] will test us through the middle,” Cowan told fremantlefc.com.au.
Alicia Eva celebrates a goal with Courtney Gum. Picture: AFL Photos
Adelaide v Carlton
6.40pm (CDT), Saturday, March 3
Norwood Oval
Pre-game activities for fans: Hit Radio Network tent featuring music and plenty of giveaways including Zooper Doopers.
Adelaide is at home for a must-win clash against Carlton, which will be boosted by the return from suspension of forward Tayla Harris.
The Crows made four changes after their draw with the Giants, omitting Rachael Killian, Abbey Holmes, Georgia Bevan and first-year ruck Jess Allan. They make way for Anne Hatchard, Rheanne Lugg, Sophie Armitstead and Dayna Cox, who missed last weekend through suspension.
Adelaide midfielder Ebony Marinoff said her team must increase its pressure to beat the Blues.
“Unfortunately, we probably started [last week’s] game in the fourth quarter. We’ve really got to put together four quarters,” Marinoff told afl.com.au.
“We are both really physical, so pressure acts such as tackles will be really important. We can get on top of that with our good ball use.
“We are not looking to complicate things, just get back to the basics and execute.”
Carlton made a swag of changes in response to its record 73-point loss to the Western Bulldogs last week.
Alongside Harris, defender Danielle Hardiman, Katie Loynes, livewire on-baller Georgia Gee and Lauren Brazzale return, while Jess Hosking has been rested.
Coach Damien Keeping said the Blues had put last week’s game behind them.
“We’ve done some work to really understand what we need to put into place against Adelaide,” Keeping told carlton.com.au.
Carlton lost to the Crows by three points last season, with Keeping suggesting his team was looking to make amends.
“They are excited for that opportunity. It wasn’t a great result for us over there last year. We’ve got that in the back of our mind.”
Carlton will be hoping Tayla Harris' return can reverse last week's result. Picture: AFL Photos
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs
2.35pm (EDT), Sunday, March 4
Ted Summerton Reserve, Moe
Pre-game activities for fans: Hit FM Warragul tent featuring music and plenty of giveaways.
Collingwood will look for consecutive wins after upsetting Melbourne in round four. Can the Pies produce another upset, this time up against competition leaders, the Western Bulldogs?
Collingwood named an extended squad for the match, with Kristy Stratton and Bree White added to last week’s victorious 21.
The Magpies are eighth, but another win could see it back in the race, depending on other results.
Bulldog Brooke Lochland booted an AFLW record seven goals in round four. All eyes will be on her in the continued absence of captain Katie Brennan.
The Bulldogs also named an extended squad, including former Demon Deanna Berry and Emma Mackie.
The teams will finalise their squads on Friday afternoon.
A record seven-goal haul from Brooke Lochland saw the Dogs in top form last week. Picture: AFL Photos
