Gil Griffin’s Previews With Punch: AFLW Round 7

Adelaide star Anne Hatchard has been in super form and will pose a huge problem for the Western Bulldogs. Photo: AFL PHOTOS

ADELAIDE (6-0) v WESTERN BULLDOGS (0-6) (Norwood Oval, Friday 6:45pm local time)
Last week it was a group of players suffering bouts of gastro before an eventual loss. This week, things are much worse for the Bulldogs, as two of their standout players, ruck-forward Celine Moody (shoulder) and mid-forward Deanna Berry (knee) will miss the remainder of the season. And, oh yeah, the winless Bulldogs open this round against the undefeated, three-time premier Crows, fresh from their win over the reigning premier Demons, with superstars Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard in white-hot form. Last year, in one of the most thrilling matches in AFLW history, the Bulldogs pulled off the upset of Season 7 in Adelaide, defeating the Crows by one point. No way that happens this year, in a top v bottom battle. Expect one-way traffic Adelaide’s way.
Last Meeting: Round 6, Season 6 – Western Bulldogs won by 1 point.
GIL’S TIP: ADELAIDE

ST KILDA (3-3) v GWS (1-5) (RSEA Park, Saturday 1:05pm local time)
The Saints are steadily gaining momentum, having won three straight, after dropping their first three. But their win last round came at a cost, losing star midfielder Steph Chiocci for the rest of this season, and likely half of next, with a serious knee injury. St Kilda is a longshot to make the finals and would likely have to win at least three of its last four matches. The Saints’ chances to win this round are good, considering they’re playing at home and GWS only won its first match last weekend against the lowly Eagles. Jaimee Lambert and Nat Exon are coming off great performances for the Saints, while GWS tall forward Zarlie Goldsworthy is a new talent to watch. St Kilda should comfortably win this one.
Last Meeting: Round 8, Season 6 – GWS won by 2 points
GIL’S TIP: ST KILDA

GEELONG (3-3) v WALYALUP/FREMANTLE (3-3) (GMHBA Stadium, Saturday 3:05pm local time)
These clubs’ matches against North Melbourne have had a significant effect on their respective seasons. The struggling Cats, with their two straight losses, just haven’t been the same against quality opposition while the Dockers got brought back down to earth at home last weekend, after a surprise win over Richmond the previous round. As Geelong and Walyalup confront each other this round, the Dockers will be without superstar midfielder Kiara Bowers. If they didn’t have enough trouble last round without Bowers providing some toughness against the Roos’ Ash Riddell, Jasmine Garner and Gemma Bruton, this week the Dockers midfield will again be overmatched against the Cats’ Amy McDonald, Georgie Prespakis and Nina Morrison. Back the Cats to win at home and get back on track in their quest to rise up the ladder toward a finals berth.
Last Meeting: Round 2, Season 7 – Geelong won by 26 points.
GIL’S TIP: GEELONG

SYDNEY (3-3) v HAWTHORN (1-5) (Henson Park, Saturday 3:05pm local time)
After going winless last season, could any observer have predicted that after Round 7 this year, the Swans could have a winning record and an outside chance of making finals? Sydney is the comp’s most improved side and has every chance this weekend of defeating the Hawks, who have won only once this year. The talented Sydney trio of Laura Gardiner, Ally Morphett and Cynthia Hamilton paced the Swans last week in their victory over Port Adelaide and only Essendon has a better record this year of the second-year clubs. The Hawks, despite recruiting star Lions Emily Bates and Greta Bodey, have been disappointing this year. Sydney will get the chocolates here, playing on its home deck.
Last Meeting: Round 5, Season 7 – Hawthorn won by 4 points.
GIL’S TIP: SYDNEY

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GOLD COAST (4-2) v BRISBANE (4-2) (Heritage Bank Stadium, Saturday 5:05pm local time)
From a Suns perspective, the recent history of Q-Clashes reads brutally: the Lions have smashed them into particles, winning by 73, 69 and 63 points respectively in their last three meetings. That ends this weekend because these are by no means the same old Suns. Gold Coast coach Cameron Joyce has infused a fast-moving exciting game style, but more importantly, a culture of professionalism and accountability into his side. The Suns will need to draw upon that to match it with the Lions, who are perennial finalists loaded with stars. Brisbane is coming off a shock loss to Collingwood and Gold Coast, with young midfield star Charlie Rowbottom playing beyond her years and captain Tara Bohanna peppering the sticks, beat Richmond by a point last weekend. The Lions offence went missing against the Magpies. The Suns will seize this opportunity on their home ground to show their maturity and make a huge statement in their drive for the finals.
Last Meeting: Round 3, Season 7 – Brisbane won by 73 points.
GIL’S TIP: GOLD COAST

RICHMOND (3-3) v ESSENDON (4-2) (Ikon Park, Saturday 7:20pm local time)
Since they first ran out last season in their maiden campaign, the Bombers have been the best of the expansion clubs and last week pulled off an upset win over the Cats. The Tigers this year have been a mixed bag, exhibiting a propensity for fourth-quarter resilience in victories, but costly fadeouts in defeats, in which it has allowed opponents to kick strings of unanswered goals. Also, the Tigers’ injury list is long, unlike Essendon’s. Those signs should point to a Bombers victory, but with captain Katie Brennan and superstar Mon Conti leading the charge and rallying the troops, it’s hard to see the Tigers losing a third consecutive match, especially against the young Bombers. Essendon stars Madison Prespakis and Bonnie Toogood are having brilliant campaigns, but the Tigers have the slight edge in what should be an arm wrestle.
Last Meeting: Round 4, Season 7 – Richmond won by 2 points.
GIL’S TIP: RICHMOND

NORTH MELBOURNE (4-2) v YARTAPUULTI/PORT ADELAIDE (1-5) (Arden Street, Sunday 1:05pm local time)
After last week’s demolition of Fremantle, the Kangaroos are really hitting their straps. Five different North Melbourne players, including Riddell, Garner and Bruton, had at least 20 possessions, while Tahlia Randall lit up the scoreboard with five majors. The Kangaroos’ defenders have been miserly all season, allowing opponents a mere total of 102 points – by far the comp’s best figure. The young Power side hasn’t come close to matching it against quality opposition and certainly won’t this weekend at Arden Street.
Last Meeting: Round 8, Season 7 – North Melbourne won by 25 points.
GIL’S TIP: NORTH MELBOURNE

CARLTON (4-2) v COLLINGWOOD (3-3) (Ikon Park, Sunday 3:05pm local time)
The Magpies rallied from a significant third-term deficit last round to overcome the Lions in an upset on the road, but they paid a steep price for it down back. Important defenders Stacey Livingstone (dangerous tackle) and Selena Karlson (high bump) both copped one-match suspensions. That certainly may provide the opening the Blues need in this match to get the better of the Magpies. The Blues have underachieved in recent seasons, despite having talented lists, and now they have a chance to firmly plant their flag in the top eight in their bid for finals. Carlton duo Keeley Sherar and Keeley Skepper last round combined for 50 touches, while Bri Davey and Mikala Cann starred for Collingwood. The home ground advantage and the Pies’ two big outs point toward a Blues win.
Last Meeting: Round 1, Season 7 – Collingwood won by 18 points.
GIL’S TIP: CARLTON

WEST COAST (1-5) v NAARM/MELBOURNE (5-1) (Mineral Resources Park, Sunday 2:05pm local time)
Why does it always seem like the weaker sides catch the strongest ones after coming off losses that leave them seething? Such is life for the Eagles, who’ll squarely be in the Demons’ crosshairs after Naarm last round lost top spot thanks to a stinging defeat to the Crows. The result snapped the Demons’ record 14-game winning streak, so you can expect them to establish dominance early with hard, physical play. Even without concussed Paxy Paxman, who won’t be available until next round, the Demons’ midfield is far superior to the Eagles’. With the worst attack in the league, West Coast doesn’t have the scoring weapons to match Narrm forwards Eden Zanker and Kate Hore, who top the AFLW goalkicking with 15 and 14 majors respectively. The only serious question might be whether the Demons brutalise the Eagles by more points than they did the last time they played.
Last Meeting: Round 10, Season 7 – Melbourne won by 78 points.
GIL’S TIP: NAARM