After a remarkable opening week of the finals which saw three of the four sides who finished lower on the ladder advancing, it’s Semi Final weekend. It’s win or go home for all four teams playing this weekend and we’ve got you covered with our preview!
Make sure to head to our AFL Tips page, to keep up to date with our coverage of the 2023 AFLW Finals Series!
AFLW 2023 Finals Week Two Preview & Betting Tips
Adelaide vs Sydney
Norwood Oval, Saturday 7:45pm AEDT
Sydney’s fairytale season continues after their Elimination Final win over Gold Coast, with the Swans just one win away from a Preliminary Final after failing to win a single game in their maiden season. Sydney face a major challenge on the road against the minor premiers Adelaide, who are coming off a heartbreaking two point loss against Brisbane. It was a back and forth affair, however the Crows lacked any support for Eloise Jones up forward, who kicked four of Adelaide’s five goals.
Sydney’s seven goal to three first half was the catalyst to their win last week, with the twenty six point lead at half time being too much for the Suns to overcome in the second half. Swans skipper Chloe Molloy was the match winner, with three goals and fifteen disposals to lift her team to their first ever finals victory. If Sydney are going to have a chance to upset the Crows this weekend, Molloy is going to have to have another huge performance.
Despite the loss last week, it’s simply too hard to look past Adelaide given how consistent they have been this season. During the home & away season the Crows were the 2nd highest scoring team averaging 59 points per game and the third best defence conceding just 31 points per game. Sydney were ranked thirteenth for points against this season and their backline will be vulnerable against a high quality Adelaide forward line. If Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard dominate the middle of the ground, the Crows forwards will get too much supply that the Sydney defence won’t be able to contain. Expect a bounce back performance from the Crows in this clash.
Adelaide -21.5
$1.88 (1 Unit)
Melbourne vs Geelong
Ikon Park, Sunday 3:05pm AEDT
Melbourne will be desperate to bounce back and keep their hopes of going back to back alive, as they take on Geelong in the Second Semi Final at Ikon Park. The reigning premiers were shocked in the Qualifying Final suffering a 41 point hammering at the hands of North Melbourne. Although being held goalless in the second half, Geelong’s seven goal to two opening half was enough to steer them to their maiden finals victory.
The Demons ran to a possessed North Melbourne side that dominated the league’s highest scoring team. The Kangaroos' manic pressure forced Melbourne to record a disposal efficiency of 57.2%, their second lowest of the season. Melbourne’s 1.3.9 was their lowest score since Round 7 of 2019, with their only goal coming in the final seven minutes of the game. Eden Zanker and Kate Hore, who are the league’s leading goalkickers were held goalless and will need to rediscover their early season form if the Dees are to win the premiership.
The Demons were utterly dominant for the majority of the home & away season, however back to back losses in Round 10 and the Qualifying Final leaves them fighting for survival this weekend. Although they had a horror outing last weekend, it’s difficult to see Melbourne playing that poorly two weeks in a row. Melbourne have played Geelong once this season, winning by 49 points in a dominant performance at Kardinia Park. If Melbourne can get their free flowing brand of football back, the Cats don’t have the attacking firepower to match with the Dees.
Melbourne -12.5
$1.88 (1.5 Units)
