Gil Griffin’s Previews With Punch: AFLW Round 3

Geelong’s Amy McDonald weaves her way through traffic against North Melbourne. Photo: AFL MEDIA

GEELONG v NORTH MELBOURNE (GMHBA Stadium, Friday 5:05pm local time)
This elimination final rematch looks to be an absolute cracker. The veteran Kangaroos broke the upstart Cats’ hearts by two points last time they met, with North superstar Jasmine Garner kicking their only two goals, while Geelong rued its shocking inaccuracy (1.8). But the Cats appear to have remedied last season’s scoring woes, kicking the second most points in the comp so far, while the Roos have conceded a league best 22. Garner and teammate Ash Riddell lead the AFLW in average possessions (32.5), while the Cats’ Jacqui Parry is tied for second on the goalkicking table with six and standout midfielders Georgie Prespakis and Amy McDonald are off to flyers. North is strong, but the Cats are full of renewed confidence, playing on their home deck, and keen to make a statement by avenging last season’s defeat.
Last time they met: First Elimination Final, Season 7 – North Melbourne won by 2 points.
GIL’S TIP: GEELONG

GWS v RICHMOND (Blacktown International Sportspark, Saturday 1:05pm local time)
The Tigers (1-1) got a rude reality check last round courtesy of a hungry Crows side, while the Giants (0-2) were stomped by the surging Demons. Richmond must recapture the resilience it displayed in Round 1 when it overcame Brisbane in the dying minutes. Going up against a struggling GWS outfit should cure what ails the Tigers. Richmond’s elite midfielder Mon Conti is among the league leaders in disposals, but the club is sorely missing injured on-baller Ellie McKenzie to take some pressure off Conti. Still, expect Richmond to pounce.
Last time they met: Round 9, Season 7 – Richmond won by 43 points.
GIL’S TIP: RICHMOND

ADELAIDE v ESSENDON (Unley Oval, Saturday 3:05pm local time)
The Bombers (2-0) should be rapt with their start, coming off a season in which they won the most games of any of the first-year clubs. Only problem is, in beating Hawthorn and St Kilda, the Bombers weren’t exactly challenged by the cream of the AFLW crop. That changes this weekend when the Crows (2-0) host Essendon. Expect the hosts to be completely inhospitable in this one. Adelaide’s high-performing “usual suspects” – Anne Hatchard, Ebony Marinoff and Chelsea Randall – are firing on all cylinders, with Caitlin Gould and Danielle Ponter supplying necessary firepower. It would be a massive win for Madison Prespakis and co. to knock the Crows off, but the odds are against them.
Last time they met: First meeting.
GIL’S TIP: ADELAIDE

MELBOURNE v WESTERN BULLDOGS (Casey Fields, Saturday 3:05pm local time)
The 2-0 Demons are just about the last club the struggling Bulldogs (0-2) need to face this weekend. Melbourne has hammered both its opponents to start the season, and in both matches looked as deep as it is ominous. Kate Hore, Alyssa Bannan, Olivia Purcell, and Tyla Hanks have been dominant for the Demons, while the Dogs have been smashed by Geelong, then pipped by an emerging Hawthorn side. A loss for the Doggies here, given they still have meetings with flag contenders Adelaide and North Melbourne in their remaining seven matches, would make a return to the finals miraculous.
Last time they met: Round 7, Season 7 – Melbourne won by 64 points.
GIL’S TIP: MELBOURNE

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FREMANTLE v HAWTHORN (Fremantle Community Bank Oval, Saturday 3:05pm local time)
It took career-best performances from Aine Tighe (four goals) and Kiara Bowers (34 possessions, 22 tackles) to get the Dockers over the line late last season against a feisty Hawthorn side. Fremantle (1-1) cleaned up its performance last round in the coalface, besting the Pies in clearances, but it fell short largely due to a lack of polish in basic skills which caused far too many turnovers. The question becomes: will the Hawks (1-1) be strong enough to take advantage of the Dockers’ mistakes and make them pay on the scoreboard? History suggests yes. New Hawks Emily Bates and Greta Bodey have played very well in the past for Brisbane against Fremantle, including on the Dockers’ home deck.
Last time they met: Round 10, Season 7 – Fremantle won by 5 points.
GIL’S TIP: HAWTHORN

ST KILDA v PORT ADELAIDE (RSEA Park, Sunday 1:05pm local time)
Port Adelaide nearly won its match last season against St Kilda, but this weekend the Saints (0-2) will finally awaken, play with pride and their trio of star-studded new recruits – Steph Chiocci, Jaimee Lambert and Jess Wardlaw – will step up big time. At least they should, considering the 0-2 Power’s horror start. Despite Port Adelaide’s revamped forward line, it has scored the second-fewest points in the comp, largely because its midfielders are getting smashed, especially in clearances and contested possessions. What’s the advantage of having Gemma Houghton and Ash Saint up forward if the midfield can’t consistently win the footy and deliver it to them?
Last time they met: Round 9, Season 7 – St Kilda won by 2 points.
GIL’S TIP: ST KILDA

COLLINGWOOD v GOLD COAST (Victoria Park, Sunday 3:05pm local time)
Fun fact: two years ago, these two teams had a date to face off against each other, but a COVID-19 outbreak cancelled it. For their long-awaited first meeting this weekend, wouldn’t the Suns just love to send a statement to – and shockwaves throughout – the competition by announcing their arrival as finals contenders with a win over the Magpies (1-1) on their home turf? It’d be hard for Gold Coast (1-1) not to feel invincible after its club record belting of West Coast. But therein lies the problem – it was the Eagles, the league’s weakest side by a country mile. The Suns, no doubt, are significant improvers, but the far more seasoned Magpies should comfortably beat the up-and-comers.
Last time they met: First meeting.
GIL’S TIP: COLLINGWOOD

WEST COAST v CARLTON (Mineral Resources Park, Sunday 1:05pm local time)
How much fight do the 0-2 Eagles have in them to avenge their 73-point loss last weekend? Judging from past performances, not nearly enough. The Blues should feel equally embarrassed from their effort last round, losing by 60 points and not even scoring until the dying minutes. It’s a match between a rebuilding side, Carlton (1-1), and a rapidly sinking one in West Coast. It’s hard to pick a winner here, but the Blues have played tougher opposition so far and have veteran leaders that will help them get the chocolates. Incredibly, it’s taken five seasons for these two clubs to finally play each other.
Last time they met: First meeting.
GIL’S TIP: CARLTON

BRISBANE v SYDNEY (Brighton Homes Arena, Sunday 5:05pm local time)
So the 1-1 Swans, with their first-ever win in Round 1 and a competitive showing last weekend, have displayed they won’t be the easybeats they were last year. But now they must travel north to tangle with the Lions, coming off an angry win over the Power. Sydney might well be able to match it with Brisbane for a half, tops, but not the full ride. While it’s heartening to see the brigade of Chloe Molloy, Aliesha Newman and Ally Morphett give the Swans’ fans hope of a brighter future, they’re no match for the likes of the Lions’ Ally Anderson, Orla O’Dwyer and Dakota Davidson, just to name a few. A Brisbane belting looks on the cards.
Last time they met: First meeting.
GIL’S TIP: BRISBANE