2024 AFLW Round 2 Preview: Saturday

TODAYs AFL Women’s action may be less action-packed than its week one counterpart, but there are still three intriguing matches today.

11:05am
Casey Fields

Recent form

These two come into today off the back off very contrasting Round 1 results.

Melbourne rescued a hard-fought win against Geelong in tough conditions, while Brisbane was well beaten by North in the AFLW Grand Final rematch.

Last time they met

Last time these two met was back in Round 10 last season, where Brisbane came away 25-point winners and denied the Dees the minor premiership.

Brisbane was just far too strong for their visitors all night, with those in red and blue having every strategy they threw at the Lions thwarted.

Key stat areas

Last week Melbourne did better than Brisbane did in the hitouts, but Brisbane’s overall clearance number was better.

One of the stark contrasts between the sides was around inside 50s and efficiency.

Melbourne had slightly better inside 50 numbers, but was significantly more efficient inside 50 than Brisbane was. This is all while Brisbane’s disposal efficiency was better more broadly.

Key match up/s

There is going to be a lot of weight on the shoulders of Georgia Campbell this morning.

Coming into the side this week for Tayla Harris, she is also likely to have to shoulder some of the ruck duties as well as being a marking forward target, and her day will not be easier with Jennifer Dunne or Shannon Campbell her likely opponents.

1:05pm AEST (11:05am local)
Mineral Resources Park

Recent form

These two come into today off the back off very contrasting Round 1 results. West Coast recorded an impressive win over Richmond, while Essendon was well beaten by Fremantle.

Last time they met

These sides met in the back end of 2023, and in one of the upsets of the season it was in fact West Coast who ultimately emerged victorious that particular afternoon. In tricky conditions, two early goals to the Eagles really got them off on the right foot and Essendon just really struggled to convert in front of goal.

Key stat areas

Despite West Coast being the only one of the pair to win in Round 1, they actually had less of the ball than Essendon did. Interestingly also, West Coast’s hitout numbers were better than Essendon’s last week, but Essendon did better in the clearances overall than the Eagles did.

Key match up/s

With no Bonnie Toogood in the line up this week, Daria Bannister is really going to have to step up and become influential this week. However Georgie Cleaver will be out to make her day difficult, buoyed by her ability to keep Katie Brennan quiet last week.

1:05pm
Victoria Park

Recent form

These two come into today off the back off very contrasting Round 1 results.

Collingwood was beaten by Sydney in the opening match of the season, while Hawthorn was impressive in comfortably beating Carlton.

Last time they met

These sides have never actually met before, so a bit of history will be made at Victoria Park this afternoon.

Key stat areas

Although Hawthorn finished last week with better stats than Collingwood surrounding the inside 50s and inside 50 efficiency, Collingwood did better than its opposition today in both the hitouts and clearances.

Key match up/s

The midfield battle will be entertaining to watch in this clash.

Brittany Bonnici, Brianna Davey, Emily Bates and Eliza West are all among the hardest midfields going around in the competition and are all similar hard and under types, and will be working hard to get that first clearance out for their respective teams.