Erin Phillips set things up from midfield last week for Adelaide as the Crows went to the top of the ladder. Photo: AFL MEDIA
Round five of the AFLW season saw rampant North Melbourne finally brought back to earth by the high-flying Crows at Werribee last Sunday.
As a result, the top half of the competition has blown wide open with the top three teams separated on percentage and Adelaide taking the lead for the first time in 2019.
At the bottom end of the table, Collingwood’s season is in tatters following a nail-biting defeat at the hands of their traditional rivals Carlton at Ikon Park, the Blues’ victory keeping the rest of Conference B on its toes.
With every outcome vital heading into the penultimate round of the season, Jesse Robertson previews the action.
Saturday, March 9, 2:35pm: Geelong vs Fremantle, GMHBA Stadium
The Cats finally earned themselves a potentially season-defining victory with a near-shutout of Brisbane last week, aiding their percentage tremendously en route to maintaining a place in Conference A.
Kate Darby was a major force with which the Lions simply couldn’t cope as she more than doubled Brisbane’s woeful total score by herself with three of Geelong’s five goals in a 27-point win. Geelong’s forward line will also be bolstered by the return of Maddie Boyd from suspension.
Fremantle, meanwhile, rebounded from its first loss of the season with a steady performance against the struggling Bulldogs.
Kellie Gibson was on target, starring despite her limited amount of ball with three majors. Unfortunately, Gibson was taken out with concussion and has been ruled out for this important clash, so the Dockers will need to rely on stamina of star midfielder Kiara Bowers (23 disposals and a staggering 16 tackles last week).
Tip: Fremantle by 15 points. Despite missing a potent forward, the Dockers should take control in the middle largely on the efforts of the likes of Bowers.
Saturday, March 9, 4:40pm: Collingwood vs North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
The first battle of a Docklands double-header sees the winless Magpies face arguably still the most formidable task in the competition.
Ash Brazill fought hard as always down back last week for Collingwood, registering five marks and seven rebound-50s, and Jaimee Lambert’s team-high 18 disposals with seven tackles carried Collingwood close, but out of the hunt now, the Pies will be looking to spoil the parties of finals-bound sides from this point.
North Melbourne slipped to its first defeat in an otherwise flawless AFLW campaign, but with phenomenal performances from defensive midfielder and captain Emma Kearney, forward Kaitlyn Ashmore and defender Jess Duffin, the Roos still had the football world talking.
North’s collapse in conceding 10 of the last 12 goals of the game sealed its fate, and most of the Roos found themselves outworked all over the ground for the very first time. There’s no better opportunity to rebound than this week, however, and North should get back on track.
Tip: North Melbourne by 30 points. The Kangaroos will be keener than ever to make a statement at the expense of their weaker opponents, and should do so convincingly as they aim to regain top spot.
Saturday, March 9, 7:10pm: Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
The action in Melbourne’s centre concludes with a clash of the two sides whose exhibition matches earlier in the decade set the foundation for the inauguration of the league.
The Bulldogs look extremely shaky at the moment, though, and the miserly defence that defined their first fortnight this season has fallen by the wayside as an ineffective forward line (ranked 9th for total points in 2019) has struggled to deal with the fallout.
Katie Brennan impressed as usual with 78 per cent efficiency in her 18 touches featuring four rebound-50s and a goal in the 18-point loss in Fremantle, but will adopt a more offensive role at full-forward this week as Emma Mackie drops out.
Tegan Cunningham announced a return to sparkling form with four marks and three goals up front in a round that, despite a commanding 39-point trouncing of GWS in Blacktown last week, saw a number of Demons stars down on their standard output.
Kate Hore managed just 38 per cent efficiency from her 13 disposals, while captain Elise O’Dea was held to only 11 disposals, but Maddison Gay lifted with 19 touches (12 contested) at 74 per cent and bagged a goal for her efforts.
Tip: Melbourne by 21 points. The Demons are well-placed to throw their lot into a first-place logjam by overcoming the fragile reigning premiers with relative ease.
Sunday, March 10, 2:05pm: Adelaide vs GWS Giants, Unley Oval
The Crows emphatically stole the show in Werribee by overcoming North Melbourne to return to the league’s summit, and once again the stars led the way.
Erin Phillips set things up from midfield, leading the side with an equal-high 23 disposals (alongside elite defender Chelsea Randall) capped off with two goals, and going head-to-head with North’s Emma Kearney in a clash of AFLW’s two previous best and fairest winners.
Adelaide has yet to confirm any omissions in its extended squad for the Sunday game and would not be expected to tinker heavily with a winning formula.
Greater Western Sydney suffered another dismal day at home to the Demons, taking a hit that all but mathematically confirmed it was out of the running in season 2019.
Effectiveness was a crucial issue as only one of the Giants’ top seven ball-winners (Alyce Parker) could reach 70 per cent effectiveness. And the task for GWS gets no easier with an interstate trip to the competition’s most red-hot outfit.
Tip: Adelaide by 37 points. The lowly Giants should be no match for the Crows, and with a potential blockbuster against Melbourne looming next week, Adelaide should keep its powerful form running.
Sunday, March 10, 4:05pm: Carlton vs Brisbane Lions, Ikon Park
In the final of round six, Conference B is potentially defined by the outcome as the two top sides vie for an unlikely spot in the competition’s top half.
Carlton skipper Bri Davey led by example in staving off Collingwood with 20 near-perfect disposals, also finishing with five marks and five inside-50s. An image that encapsulated the game, however, was Darcy Vescio’s passionate celebration following what proved to be the match-winning snap to keep the Blues’ season alive.
Brisbane was embarrassed in front of its fans last week as the visiting Cats ran roughshod over the Lions, who finished with a solitary goal to their name and hardly any individual highlights.
As their efforts to reach a third consecutive AFLW decider suffered a major setback, half-back Emily Bates held her head high with 21 disposals (14 effective) and four tackles, but Kate McCarthy’s sole major at the other end summarised an almost total whitewash.
Tip: Carlton by 9 points. As it stands, neither side looks a threat, but Carlton is better-placed to take at least take a stab at finals action.
This article originally appeared at HATCH@MacleayCollege
