Greater Western Sydney v Carlton
7.05pm AEDT, Friday, February 9
Drummoyne Oval
THE INNER-WEST Sydney suburb of Drummoyne will host an NAB AFL Women's match for the first time on Friday night, when Greater Western Sydney faces Carlton to kick off round two.
The improved Giants were gallant against premiership-fancy Melbourne at Casey Fields last Saturday, falling six points short in an engrossing game. Key forward Phoebe McWilliams shone with three goals while debutant Courtney Gum was in everything.
Rebecca Beeson, in her second season with the Giants, was nominated for the NAB AFLW Rising Star award after an impressive performance.
Despite the loss, recruit Alicia Eva said there were no limits on how far they can go in 2018.
AFLW: Latest news, fixture and results here
"We're really shattered we didn't get the win," she said on Thursday.
"Everyone's expecting us to not do so well against the Victorian teams. We need to emphasise, as a young group, that we don't fear anyone.”
Star midfielder Emma Swanson will return after overcoming a foot injury while Phoebe Monahan is set to make her AFLW debut.
Carlton will be without senior coach Damien Keeping, who has been discharged from a Melbourne hospital after falling ill on Sunday. Assistant Nick Rutley will coach the team in his absence.
The Blues outlasted Collingwood by eight points at Ikon Park in the season-opener, with the dour, low-scoring affair driving significant commentary about the quality of games.
Bu Carlton captain Bri Davey said the Blues were focused on the Giants.
'We saw what they produced against Melbourne. It was a really tight contest, so that's what we are expecting going in," Davey said.
"They've already shown massive improvement from last year [and] look like a real contender."
The Blues have dropped former captain Lauren Arnell after she failed to pick up a disposal in round one, along with 27-year-old Katherine Gillespie-Jones and defender Natalie Plane.
Midfielder Tilly Lucas-Rodd, key back Sarah Last and debutant Reni Hicks come into the team.
Kate Shierlaw and Tayla Harris during Carlton's R1 win over Collingwood. Picture: AFL Photos 
Melbourne v Adelaide
5.05pm AEDT, Saturday, February 10
Casey Fields
Melbourne has been forced to make a late change to its team with Jasmine Grierson ruled out of the game on Friday. She's been replaced by Brooke Patterson while Harriet Cordner (the granddaughter of club legend Don) has been added to the emergencies.
In good news for the Dees, star midfielder Karen Paxman has been named, despite succumbing to a back injury in the round one win over the Giants.
Coach Mick Stinear said she had pulled up "really well" after a light week on the track.
"She was a little bit sore straight after the game, but she's done a power of work with our medical team to get herself right and ready to go," Stinear told melbournefc.com.au.
"She's determined to be out there."
Stinear said he was looking forward to his team establishing its preferred approach.
"Now they've experienced a taste of season two, they can settle in and play our game style," he said.
"That, counted with a determined Adelaide team, should make for a really good clash.
"We're expecting it to be physical and hot early."
Forward Alyssa Misfud will play her first game of the year, replacing 18-year-old Maddy Guerin.
For the second straight week, Adelaide will be missing key players, All-Australian duo Erin Phillips (quad) and Courtney Cramey (hamstring), in what shapes as an important match for the reigning premier.
Without the star pair, co-captain Chelsea Randall urged her teammates to share the load.
"It's an opportunity for some of our up and coming stars to step up," she said.
"Everyone is taking ownership … each individual needs to be making an impact."
The Crows welcome back premiership forwards Abbey Holmes and Jenna McCormick, with Anne Hatchard (soreness) and Sophie Armistead (omitted) to miss.
Karen Paxman leaves the field with a back injury. Picture: AFL Photos
Fremantle v Collingwood
4.10pm AWST, Saturday, February 10
Optus Stadium
Perth's new flagship stadium will host its inaugural football match when Fremantle takes on Collingwood on Saturday – and it's close to a sell-out.
Some 54,000 tickets have been sold, with the final attendance set to shatter the AFLW attendance mark (24,500).
The game holds significance for both teams as neither was able to secure an opening round victory, against the Dogs and Blues respectively.
Fremantle was held scoreless to half-time before improving in the second-half.
"We had a really good review," Dockers coach Michelle Cowan said Wednesday.
"We reflect from that quickly and now we are focused on Collingwood.
"It will be an incredible atmosphere … and we will certainly absorb that energy."
Ruck Gemma Houghton and debutant Lisa Webb come into the Dockers' line-up, replacing the injured Brianna Green and Tiah Haynes (omitted).
Despite converting only twice in the loss to the Blues, Collingwood was buoyed by the performance of No.3 draft pick Chloe Molloy.
Twenty disposals (18 kicks) on the last line of defence earned the 19-year-old a NAB AFL Women's Rising Star nomination on debut.
"It's pretty awesome," she told collingwoodfc.com.au.
"To be in a new role (down back) and receive the nomination is very humbling.
"We don't want to dwell too much on that game (against Carlton). You take the positives and the negatives out and you work on them."
The Pies dropped forward Moana Hope after she struggled to have an impact in round one. It was one of four changes, with Sarah D'Arcy (suspension) to miss the next two weeks while Ruby Schleicher and Sarah Dargan have been omitted.
Star forward Jess Duffin (a late withdrawal last week with an adductor injury) will return, with Lauren Tesoriero, Tara Morgan and debutant Holly Whitford also coming in.
Brisbane v Western Bulldogs
3.35pm EST, Sunday, February 11
South Pine Sports Complex
First-round victors Brisbane and the Western Bulldogs will meet in stifling conditions, with predicted high humidity and the temperature expected to reach 37 degrees.
The AFL said its heat policy may be implemented, which would allow for longer breaks between quarters.
After overpowering last year's premier in the Grand Final rematch, the Lions are not resting on their laurels leading into round two.
"There's a lot to worry about playing the Bulldogs," coach Craig Starcevich told SEN.
"They've got some good midfielders we need to keep an eye on."
Sabrina Frederick-Traub was unstoppable in her first game without Tayla Harris, who moved to Carlton over the off-season.
"She's got great presence," said Starcevich, who was impressed by her 10-mark effort.
"She's quite an imposing sight when she gets her arms up high and takes the ball at the highest point."
Brisbane named two former Blues in their extended squad: Nat Exon and Isabella Ayre.
The Bulldogs will also be looking to build on their round one momentum, something they were unable to do in 2017.
After a dominant victory over Fremantle in the opening round last year, the Dogs went on to lose their following five games.
"We don't want to focus on that too much [last year's record]. We're a completely different outfit this year," Dogs defender Hannah Scott said on Wednesday.
"Last year we were over-possessing it by hand [and] it's been a coaching focus to use the football [better]."
Bulldogs first-gamer Daria Bannister will miss the remainder of the season after rupturing her ACL against Fremantle. Rookie Kimberley Rennie has been upgraded in her place.
Bannister is the only confirmed out for the Dogs, with Bailey Hunt and Hayley Wildes joining Rennie as potential ins.
Sophie Conway in the moment during the Lions' win over the Crows. Picture: AFL Photos
