Gold Coast vs Geelong
Friday 7:10pm AEDT, Metricon Stadium
The Suns host Geelong at Metricon on Friday night, with a chance to jump into the top six by the end of the round if results go their way. Geelong registered their first win of the season last Friday night, with a dramatic three point win over the Eagles thanks to Darcy Moloney’s match winner in the final minute.
Gold Coast took it up to Melbourne for four quarters last weekend, in a gallant performance that should have them feeling optimistic of their finals chances. The Suns have a 2-2 record, sitting just one game out of the top six. Gold Coast’s improvement this season has come from the attacking side of their game where they’ve scored on average 33 points per game this season, up from 19 points per game in 2021.
The Suns improved forwardline will be where they will get their biggest advantage in this clash. Geelong have averaged only 22 points per game this season, and have struggled to transition the ball from end to end. On a big ground in humid conditions, the dimensions of Metricon Stadium will only hinder their ability in attack. This is a crucial game for the Suns to stay in the finals race, and they’ll do so with a win at home over the Cats.
Tip: Gold Coast Suns, odds will be posted when available.
Richmond vs North Melbourne
Saturday 2:10pm AEDT, Swinburne Centre
After a win on the opening night of the season it’s been a sharp decline for the Tigers, who have lost four consecutive games. Richmond lost by 17 points last week to the previously winless Western Bulldogs, with the Tigers managing just one goal. Richmond face a North Melbourne outfit that ended Fremantle’s unbeaten season last week, to move into fourth place with a 4-1 record.
The Kangaroos midfield was outstanding last week, and will be set to cause the young Tigers a mountain of problems. Jasmine Garner (29 disposals) and Ash Riddell (24) are going to be tough to contain, while the ruck duo of Emma King and Kim Reddie will be giving first use to a North Melbourne midfield that ranks third in the AFLW for disposals.
North Melbourne have beaten Richmond by margins of 56 points and 35 points in their two meetings so far in the AFLW. And given the form of both these clubs over the last month, that streak will continue. North Melbourne’s midfield will overpower Richmond to pick up a fourth consecutive win.
Tip: North Melbourne, odds will be posted when available.
Melbourne vs GWS Giants
Saturday 4:10pm AEDT, Casey Fields
The Giants will play their first game since the 28th of January when they travel to Casey Fields on Saturday afternoon. They take on a Melbourne side that bounced back from its first loss of the season, with a win over the Suns in Round 5. Melbourne sit in 3rd with a 4-1 record, primed to have a tilt at their first ever AFLW premiership.
It’s going to be a tough ask for the Giants who haven’t played in sixteen days, having to travel to a venue where the Demons haven’t lost since 2019. In that timespan, the Demons have gone 10-0 at Casey Fields with an average winning margin of 24 points. Their high kicking brand of football is well trained in the windy conditions at Casey, which are a nightmare for visiting teams.
Melbourne have barely put a foot wrong this season and continue to be one of the most reliable outfits in the AFLW. The Eagles, Bulldogs and Saints have struggled in their first games back after Covid forced delays, and it will likely be the same scenario for the Giants. The Demons will extend their winning streak at Casey Fields to eleven games.
Tip: Melbourne, odds will be posted when available.
Fremantle vs Carlton
Saturday 7:10pm AEDT, Fremantle Oval
Fremantle will be looking to bounce back after their first loss of the season last weekend, when they host Carlton on Saturday night. For the third week in a row Carlton were beaten by over five goals, as Adelaide accounted for the Blues by 39 points to leave Carlton second last on the AFLW ladder.
Fremantle were playing their fourth game in sixteen days when they played North Melbourne last week, so a six day break will do the Dockers a world of good. The Dockers were forced to shuffle some of their players around due to Kiara Bowers suspension, with Gemma Houghton and Jess Low playing more midfield time, while Tiath Toth played in defence. With a game under the belt with this structure, the Dockers should be well positioned to improve this Saturday.
Fremantle have had Carlton’s measure across the history of the AFLW, with a 3-1 head to head record over the Blues. Fremantle are the number one attacking side in the league, and Carlton are the worst defence in the league. It’s a recipe for a big Dockers victory, who will be boosted by their first home game of 2022.
Tip: Fremantle, odds will be posted when available.
St Kilda vs Brisbane
Sunday 1:10pm AEDT, Trevor Barker Beach Oval
It’s two games in six days for the Saints after their heartbreaking two point loss to the Eagles on Tuesday. The loss leaves St Kilda as the only winless team in the league, as they face the reigning premiers who are in red hot form. Brisbane dispatched Collingwood in a 24 point win last week, as the Lions kept the Pies goalless for the first half and to just one goal for the entire game.
Brisbane’s surge football has been at its absolute best over the last three weeks with +63 inside 50’s and +56 tackles while still winning the possession battle in each of their last three games. The Lions have been dominant with ball in hand and when the opposition has it, continuously keeping the ball trapped inside their forward half. Coming up against a struggling St Kilda side, this style of play is going to cause an abundance of scoring opportunities for Brisbane.
The Lions have an average winning margin of 20 points this season, while the Saints have an average losing margin of 27 points. With the form of these two sides it’s hard to see any result that isn’t a blowout victory for Brisbane. They’ve got a side that's filled with experienced players that are going to be too much for the Saints to overcome. The Lions system and personnel will take them to a fourth straight win.
Tip: Brisbane, odds will be posted when available.
Collingwood vs West Coast Eagles
Sunday 3:10pm AEDT, Mineral Resources Park
After starting the season 3-0, the Pies were held to just one goal for the second week in a row. Collingwood have dropped to sixth on the ladder, just one win ahead of the eighth placed Giants. West Coast registered their first win in 330 days with a two point win over St Kilda on Tuesday night.
Although they won, the Eagles only managed to kick two goals on Tuesday night, and it was the fourth time in five games this season that they’ve failed to kick more than three goals. Collingwood have struggled in the last fortnight, but it’s been against two top five sides. The Eagles only mustering up two goals against the bottom team in the comp is a major concern for their ability to compete against the best. Collingwood are the 6th highest scoring team in the comp, while the Eagles are ranked 12th.
Despite Collingwood’s struggles in the last month, the ladder shows there is a clear gap between the top six teams and the rest of the competition. The Magpies beat West Coast by 27 points the last time these teams met, and Collingwood should register a comfortable victory.
Tip: Collingwood, odds will be posted when available.
Adelaide vs Western Bulldogs
Sunday 5:10pm AEDT, Norwood Oval
The ladder leading Crows host the Western Bulldogs to close out Round 5. Adelaide are coming off a dominant 39 point win over Carlton, while the Bulldogs picked up their first win of the season against Richmond last week. The Crows have made themselves the team to beat, on the back of their incredible defence which has conceded a league fewest 75 points this season.
Adelaide have conceded an average of just 15 points per game this season, and the Bulldogs have only scored 23 points per game. It’s a massive mismatch from a talent standpoint, and it’s difficult to see the Dogs finding a way to stop the Crows at a venue they’ve been dominant at for such a long time. Adelaide has won their last six games at Norwood Oval by an average margin of 36 points.
It’s another big mismatch on paper, with an experienced undefeated Crows side hosting a young Western Bulldogs outfit with a 1-3 record. The last time these two teams met at Norwood Oval, Adelaide ran out 56 point winners and it will be a similar result on Sunday afternoon.
Tip: Adelaide, Odds will be posted when available.
