The AFLW ladder is starting to take shape after an action packed round three. Round four is highlighted by a huge clash between the Roos and Pies. We have previews and betting tips for all seven games below!
AFLW Round 4 Betting Tips
St Kilda vs Geelong
Friday Feburary 19, 7:10pm
Round four kicks off with the Saints hosting the Cats at Moorabbin. The Saints were competitive last week in a 24-point loss to Carlton, but the experienced Blues controlled the game after quarter time. Young star Georgia Patrikios rose to the occasion against one of the league’s best midfield’s, picking up 20 disposals, 3 marks and 5 tackles. Geelong were solid for three quarters, before conceding two goals to none in the last quarter in a fifteen point loss. Despite the improved performance by the Cats, they’ve gone goalless in nine of their twelve quarters this season, scoring just four goals in the first three rounds. The Cats problems have come from their struggling midfield who rank second last in the league for disposals, they simply don't win enough of the ball to put opposing sides under pressure. St Kilda showed in the first quarter last week that when their young midfield is on, they can match it with the top teams in the competition. The Saints have played a brand based around maintaining possession and it’s hard to see the Cats being able to win enough off the ball to trouble the Saints. The Cats have been awful in attack this season, they just don’t have the firepower to put up a winning score. The Saints will pick up a convincing win to keep in touch with the top six.
Carlton vs Richmond
Saturday Feburary 20, 3:10pm
The Blues finally got on the board with a 24-point win over the Saints last week, getting back to the form that saw them qualify for a preliminary final in 2020. Maddy Prespakis continued her incredible season with 24 disposals and a goal in the win. Carlton’s star-studded midfield finally produced a quality performance to support Prespakis, with Grace Egan (24 disposals), Elise O’Dea (21 disposals) and Jess Hosking (19 disposals) all contributing. Whilst the midfield finally came to the party, the Blues defence was resolute, conceeding just two goals when the Saints were kicking with a massive breeze. Richmond put together their most competitive performance of the season in a 17-point loss against Collingwood in round three. Monique Conti starred with 25 disposals giving the Tigers plenty of opportunities, however their delivery and conversion inside 50 cost them dearly, failing to capitalise on their good work up field. Carlton looked to have found their form that saw them play some quality football in 2020, and for the Tigers have struggled for the majority of this season so far. The Blues beat the Tigers convincingly last season, and you can expect more of the same this weekend.
Fremantle vs Gold Coast Suns
Saturday Feburary 20, 5:10pm
On the back of a massive statement win against the Crows on the road in round three, the Dockers host the struggling Suns at home. Fremantle announced themselves as the best team in the competition with a comprehensive 30-point win over the Crows as underdogs. The Dockers held the Crows to just one goal, whilst kicking seven of their own, showing their elite standing in both attack and defence. Kiara Bowers was utterly dominant racking up 23 disposals and 14 tackles, whilst Gemma Broughton was excellent up forward with two goals. The Suns once again struggled, after scoring just two behinds against the Lions in round two, The Suns only scored one goal last week against the Giants in a 10-point loss. The Suns have struggled to move the ball freely in attack and lack polished ball users to generate scoring opportunities. This matchup has the potential to turn ugly, very quickly for the Suns. Fremantle have won ten consecutive games, an AFLW record, and don’t look like slowing down anytime soon. The Dockers simply have too much talent for the Suns to handle, the line is quite a big one in this matchup, however the Dockers defeated the Suns by 70 points the last time these two sides met. With the Suns scoring just one goal in their last two matches, expect a massive win for the Dockers in this matchup.
North Melbourne vs Collingwood
Saturday Feburary 20, 7:10pm
It’s a battle of third vs fifth as North Melbourne does battle with Collingwood on Saturday night, under the bright lights at Marvel Stadium. The Roos are coming off an upset nine-point loss against the Dees, where their second quarter collapse which saw them concede six goals to one, cost them dearly. Led by Britt Bonnici’s 30 disposals and 10 marks, Collingwood defeated Richmond by 17 points last week. The Pies midfield ran riot with Brianna Davey (25 disposals, one goal) and Jaimie Lambert (25 disposals) dominating through the centre of the ground. Whilst Collingwood sit 3-0, they have been benefited from fixture changes. The Pies were supposed to play Brisbane last week before Melbourne’s sudden locked down forced fixture changes which saw Collingwood face the winless Richmond instead. If the Kangaroos backline can neutralise Collingwood's dangerous forwards, it will go a long way to winning this game. A big advantage the Roos have in this clash is the ruck work of Emma King. King has been the best ruck in the competition this season, and Collingwood have struggled badly in the ruck this season. North Melbourne’s loss against the Dees will sharpen their focus, the Roos lost their first game of 2020 before winning their next six straight games before the season was cancelled. Expect a big response from the Roos in this clash.
North Melbourne H2H
$1.41
Brisbane vs Adelaide
Sunday Feburary 21, 1:10pm
It’s another big clash between two top six sides as the ladder leading Lions host the sixth placed Crows. A second half blitz from the Lions secured a 45-point win against West Coast, whilst the Crows were held to their lowest ever score (1.7.13) as Freo ran rampant, handing the Crows their first loss of the season. The Crows were shell shocked by the Dockers brutal pressure around the contest, which completely stunted their attacking game, it took the Crows until the fourth quarter to kick their only goal. Once again the Crows face off against a side that moves the ball at a rapid pace. They couldn’t handle Fremantle’s pace last week and they’ll need to make some serious adjustments, or the Lions will run riot. Brisbane’s greatest strength this season has been their dominant forward line. The Lions have three of the league’s top four goal kickers in Dakota Davidson (1st), Greta Body and Jesse Wardlaw (equal third). If the Lions can provide enough pressure around the ball to stifle Adelaide’s handball heavy game style, the Lions will have enough pace on the outside, and firepower up forward to kick a winning score. The Lions will get over the Crows in a ripping contest.
Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne
Sunday Feburary 21, 3:10pm
Melbourne pulled off arguably it’s greatest win ever, knocking off the red-hot Kangaroos in a thrilling encounter at Casey Fields in round three. A remarkable six-goal second quarter was the major difference as Karen Paxman continued her incredible form, with 25 disposals and a goal in another best on ground performance. It was a grind, but 25 disposals and two goal assists from captain Ellie Blackburn was enough to get the Bulldogs over the line by fifteen points against Geelong. Despite a large list turnover during the offseason, the Dees have started 3-0 and look like they will be contending at the business end of the season. Melbourne’s running game was at its peak against the Roos, with the second quarter showing how quickly they can carve up teams when they get the ball to their outside runners. The Demons tall forwards in Teagan Cunningham and Kate Hore will give the Bulldogs young backline some serious troubles. The experienced Demons midfield should be able to get on top of the young Bulldogs in the middle of the ground. With the form Melbourne is in, it’s hard to see the Bulldogs keeping up with them for long, the Dees won’t have any troubles getting past the Dogs.
GWS Giants vs West Coast Eagles
Sunday Feburary 21, 5:10pm
Round four concludes with the Giants looking for back-to-back wins, as they host the winless Eagles. The Giants finally got on the winners list with a ten-point win in trying conditions against the Gold Coast. Alyce Parker once again led the way for the Giants with 24 disposals, five tackles and six clearances. Parker currently leads the league in disposals averaging 26.3 per game, with her teammate Rebecca Beeson sitting third averaging 24.3 per game. The Giants midfield has been excellent this season, if their forwardline can get going, they’ll get back to the form that saw them make the finals in 2020. West Coast once again took it right up to one of the best sides in the competition last week, trailing the Lions by just one point at half time. However a second half fade out saw the Eagles lose by 45 points. The Eagles dominated the clearance and inside fifty count against their more fancied opponents, however they couldn’t capitalise on their hard work. The Eagles have shown that they have developed and will remain competitive this season, they just lack the experience to turn this into wins. This should be an entertaining encounter, however the Giants will be too strong for the Eagles.
