Round 3 of the AFLW is headlined by a blockbuster matchup between the Crows and the Dockers. The ladder is beginning to take shape with teams fighting to work their way into the top six. We have previews and betting tips for all seven AFLW games below!
AFLW Round 3 Betting Tips
Geelong vs Western Bulldogs
Friday Feburary 12, 7:10pm
After being smashed by 62 points in round one, the Cats were more competitive in round two but still were beaten comfortably by the Magpies. The Cats inability to score remains to be a big problem, scoring just one goal in round one and two goals in round two. The young Dogs side have a strong fitness base, proven by their ability to finish strong in their last two games, and that looks to be a big advantage in this clash. The Dogs scored 3.0 in the second half last week as they held Carlton to just two behinds, whilst the Cats could only manage two behinds in the final three quarters of their round two match. Isabel Huntington has been in excellent form so far this season and against the Cats undersized backline, she could well and truly tear this game apart. The Dogs have been impressive in their first two games, showing they’ll be a lot more competitive than what most predicted coming into the season. The Dogs won’t have any troubles defeating the struggling Cats outfit.
Western Bulldogs H2H
$1.20
GWS vs Gold Coast Suns
Saturday Feburary 13, 3:10pm
Two sides yet to register a win in season 2021 face off on Saturday afternoon as the Giants host the Suns. Both sides will be out for redemption after suffering massive losses in round two, with the Giants losing by 47 and the Suns losing by 63. The Suns score of 0.2.2 was the lowest in AFLW history, in what has been a disappointing start to the season after making the finals in 2020. Giants midfielder Alyce Parker is the most in form player in the competition, after chalking up 28 disposals in round one, Parker followed up with 27 disposals, 6 marks and 1 goal in round two. The Suns’ defence has leaked goals early so far this season conceding scores of 43 and 29 in the first halves of their first two matches. The Suns haven’t shown any of the attacking flare that made them such a dangerous side in 2020, and with the way the Suns are playing at the moment, they don’t look capable of turning around their season anytime soon. The Giants have shown enough glimpses against two quality teams in the first two rounds of the season to suggest that they’ll eventually turn this form around when playing against some lesser opposition. Expect the Giants to pick up a win against the struggling Suns, and with the line being pretty small (-9.5), it looks a great option.
St Kilda vs Carlton
Saturday Feburary 13, 5:10pm
Carlton came into the season as premiership fancies, but after starting 0-2 the Blues now face a serious battle to make the finals, especially given they are yet to face the Roos, Dockers or Crows. So nearly every game looms as a must win for Carlton. St Kilda battled hard early, but fell away in the second half, failing to score after half time in a 26 point loss to North Melbourne. Georgia Patrikios continued her incredible start to her career with 27 disposals, and will be crucial if the Saints are to get on top of the Blues star studded midfield. On paper the Blues have arguably the best midfield in the league, but outside of Maddy Prespakis (24 disposals, 6 tackles) the Blues midfielders have underperformed in the first two rounds of the season. Tayla Harris was in good marking form last week, and if she can produce that again she will give the Saints defence plenty of headaches. Despite the slow start to the season, there is simply too much talent in this Carlton outfit to let this season go to waste. The Blues will come out firing and will be eager to get their season back on track.
Melbourne vs North Melbourne
Saturday Feburary 13, 7:10pm
Casey Fields plays host to a massive clash between two undefeated sides as Melbourne face off against North Melbourne. The Dees come into the round three clash on the back of a comfortable 28 point win over Richmond, whilst the Kangaroos accounted for St Kilda by 26 points. North Melbourne have followed on from their 2020 campaign, firmly establishing themselves as premiership favourites. Emma Kearney (22 disposals), Jenna Bruton (22 disposals) and Jasmine Garner (18 disposals) starred in the midfield, however the Roos defence has been remarkable this season, conceding just two goals in the first two rounds. The Demons clearance work was outstanding against Richmond, but whether they can produce that against a top side remains to be a big question. Melbourne have had two solid wins, however it has come against some sub-par opposition so don’t put too much stock into the Dees form so far this season. The Kangaroos just have too much depth and experience for the Demons to handle. North Melbourne have been utterly dominant across all facets in the first two rounds of the season and you can expect their winning form to continue.
North Melbourne H2H
$1.33
Adelaide vs Fremantle
Sunday Feburary 14, 1:10pm
The most exciting match of the season so far takes place at Norwood Oval on Sunday as the Crows host the Dockers. The 2019 premiers taking on the best performed team of the 2020 season. Superstars in all positions, it’s going to be a blockbuster. The Dockers victory over West Coast broke the AFLW record for consecutive wins (previously held by Adelaide), with Fremantle currently on a nine-game winning streak. Kiara Bowers had an outstanding game last week racking up 23 disposals, 7 clearances, 14 tackles and a goal. Whilst the Dockers inaccuracy kept the score closer than it should have been, the Dockers were able to adapt to the wet conditions, showing the maturity of the side. Led by Ebony Marinoff (24 disposals), Anne Hatchard (23 disposal, one goal) and Erin Phillips (19 disposals, one goal) the Crows were in complete control as they defeated the Giants by 47 points in round two. The two sides play differing styles, with Fremantle a heaving kicking team, whilst the Crows love to handball. This could play into the Dockers hands given the incredible pressure game the Dockers play, being the best tackling team in the competition over the past two seasons. Although they come into the match as underdogs, the matchup suits the Dockers perfectly, and they’ll be eager to send a statement that they’re still the best team in the comp after the abrupt end to last season.
Richmond vs Collingwood
Sunday Feburary 14, 3:10pm
Update: Due to the late rescheduling of this match, no preview has been provided.
Brisbane vs West Coast
Monday Feburary 15, 5:15pm
It’s a rare Monday evening AFLW clash as Melbourne’s lockdown forced some last minute changes to the round three fixture. The Lions, fresh off a 63 point thumping of the Suns, host the winless Eagles at Hickey Park. The Lions put in an incredible performance last week with Jesse Wardlaw and Dakota Davidson kicking four goals each, whilst Natalie Grider was dominant at centre half back picking up 20 disposals, 3 marks and 5 tackles. The Lions defence was remarkable, holding the Suns to 0.2.2, the lowest score in AFLW history.
The Eagles were brave in a nine-point loss to the Dockers in round two, led by Mikayla Bowen (18 disposals) and Belinda Smith (17 disposals) who fought hard against the Dockers star-studded lineup. Understanding the talent gap between the two sides, West Coast employed a heavily defensive gameplan which kept them in the game right until the end. The Eagles may look to go back to this defensive plan, knowing the attacking prowess of this Brisbane side. The Lions are undefeated so far this season with wins by 29 points and 63 points, and with clear conditions in Brisbane it’ll be harder for West Coast to execute the same defensive plans that they did in the wet against Fremantle last week. With the talent gap between the two sides, the Lions won’t have any issues getting past the line in this one, as they move to 3-0 on the season.
