The penultimate round of Season 7 is here, with finals places up for grabs. With just two games separating fourth from ninth, it’s a crucial weekend of football taking place!
Jack Tobin has you covered with his tips for AFLW Round 9, and be sure to check out our AFL Tips page for our AFLW previews each week.
AFLW Round 9 Betting Tips
Adelaide vs Geelong
Friday 5:40pm AEDT, Unley Oval
Round 9 kicks off with the biggest game of the weekend as the Crows host the Cats in a battle of fourth vs fifth. Adelaide are coming off their second loss of the season after going down to Brisbane in a top of the table clash last week. Geelong’s inaccuracy kept it close, but the Cats picked up their fourth straight win last week in a nine point win over the Eagles.
With both teams having 6-2 records, the winner will take fourth place on the ladder heading into the final round of the season. With the Crows and Cats playing the Saints and Swans respectively next week, the winner of this clash will have all but secured a double chance in the first week of finals. Adelaide have shown that on their day they can be the best side in the competition, having twice held an opposition goalless and winning by over ten goals this season. Although Geelong have been an excellent side this season, they don’t have as high of a ceiling as the reigning premiers do.
Geelong will be doing everything they can to keep this to a low scoring encounter, however it’s going to be tough to contain the Crows who are ranked third in the AFLW in points per game. This young Geelong side is about to embark on their first ever finals appearance, and this will be an interesting watch to see how they stand up in a high pressure game. Adelaide are 2-0 against the Cats, and have too much starpower forward of centre for Geelong to beat.
Adelaide -12.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
Gold Coast vs Carlton
Friday 7:40pm AEDT, Metricon Stadium
Carlton’s finals hopes went up in flames last week after surrendering a four goal to one headstart in a ten point defeat against the Tigers. The defeat means the Blues need a miracle to make the top eight, sitting two games outside of the eight with two games left in the season. Despite a 49 point loss to Melbourne in Round 8, Gold Coast are still in the hunt to play finals, one game outside of the top eight heading into the last fortnight of the season.
Gold Coast are 3-1 at home this season, and have everything to play for this weekend. After giving up a big lead last week in a result that has all but ended their finals chances, it’s going to be tough for Carlton to get themselves up for this game.
With just two wins from eight games this season, the Blues haven’t been able to find a consistent method for success. Coach Daniel Harford has been throwing the magnets around in a look to the future, Carlton look checked out, and the Suns will keep their finals hopes alive heading into the final round of the season.
Gold Coast -3.5
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
Collingwood vs North Melbourne
Saturday 1:40pm AEDT, Victroria Park
Saturday afternoon football kicks off with a top eight clash between Collingwood and North Melbourne at Victoria Park. The Pies have won four games on the bounce, and with a date with Brisbane in Round 10 on the horizon, Collingwood have to beat the Roos if they are to have a chance at finishing inside the top four. This game is just as crucial for North Melbourne, who sit just one game inside the top eight.
Collingwood showed why they are the best defensive side in the AFLW last week, holding Fremantle goalless en route to a 29 point victory. The Magpies have conceded an average of 16 points per game this season, and have held opposing sides to 2 or less goals in six of their eight games this season.
North Melbourne have competed extremely well against the top four sides this season, and with Collingwood’s ruthless defence, this is likely to be a low scoring slog. There’s going to be a finals-like intensity to this fixture, with both sides in desperate need to win this game. The Pies have been in excellent form and will win a fifth consecutive game to set up a blockbuster final round clash against the Lions.
Collingwood
$1.90 (1.5 Units)
More AFLW Round 9 Tips
Sydney vs Fremantle - Henson Park, Saturday 3:10pm AEDT
Sydney were agonisingly close to breaking through for their first win in the competition in a heartbreaking four point defeat against Essendon. The Swans have another big opportunity to end their losing streak when they take on seventeenth placed Fremantle. The Dockers were held goalless last week, and the +14.5 line is a great buffer for the Swans.
Tip: Sydney +14.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes
West Coast vs Western Bulldogs - Mineral Resources Park, Saturday 5:10pm AEDT
The Bulldogs have a golden opportunity to get one hand on a finals berth when they head out west to take on the Eagles. The Bulldogs gave West Coast a 60 point hiding in March, and with the Dogs needing to pick up all the percentage they can, expect a dominant performance from the Bulldogs.
Tip: Western Bulldogs -11.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes
Hawthorn vs Brisbane - Skybus Stadium, Saturday 7:10pm AEDT
After an improved month, the Hawks are set for a reality check when they host the all conquering Brisbane Lions on Saturday night. The ladder leading Lions are 7-1 this season with an average winning margin of 36 points. Brisbane are the highest scoring team in the competition averaging 53 points per game, while Hawthorn are conceding 39 points per game, the fourth most in the league.
Tip: Brisbane -47.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes
St Kilda vs Port Adelaide - Moorabbin Oval, Sunday 1:10pm AEDT
The Saints and Power have had difficult seasons, sitting in fourteenth and sixteenth on the ladder. Both outfits are on big losing streaks and will be desperate to put an end to them, and this game will come down to the battle of stars vs system. The Saints are a more balanced side, however the Power have matchwinners that can drag them over the line. It’s difficult to see St Kilda containing Erin Phillips, who will lead the Power to their second win of the season.
Tip: Port Adelaide, $2.95 with Ladbrokes
Richmond vs GWS - Mildura Sporting Precinct, Sunday 3:10pm AEDT
Richmond’s winning streak extended to six games after a come from behind win over Carlton last week, and the Tigers will be looking to keep their top four hopes alive when they take on the Giants. Although Richmond are sixth, they’re only separated from fourth placed Adelaide on percentage. GWS barely scraped over the line against Hawthorn last week, and have lost three of their last five games. Richmond will be far too good in this match.
Tip: Richmond -18.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes
Melbourne vs Essendon - Casey Fields, Sunday 5:10pm AEDT
Round 9 concludes at Casey Fields on Sunday evening as Melbourne host Essendon. The Demons have been in red hot form with four consecutive wins by margins of 42, 30, 64 and 49 points. An average winning margin of 46 points over their last four games for Melbourne will have them full of confidence taking on an Essendon side that has lost four of their last five games.
Tip: Melbourne -30.5, $1.90 with Ladbrokes