AFLW Round 9: Teams, tips and run home predictor
Adelaide has recalled one of its premiership heroes on the eve of AFLW finals as it builds toward another flag tilt. Check out the full Sunday sides.
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It all comes down to this.
After eight whirlwind AFLW rounds, there were nine teams left in the running for a finals berth.
But this was their last chance.
Will there be a miracle?
Check out the Round 9 teams, tips and an in-depth predictor ahead of the final round.
SCROLL DOWN FOR OUR FULL RUN HOME PREDICTOR
ROUND 9 TEAMS
Adelaide v Collingwood
at Norwood Oval 12.10pm ACDT
ADELAIDE
B: A.Foley 3 M.Rajcic 32
HB: N.Allen 8 S.Allan 39 S.Thompson 14
C: E.Jones 2 E.Marinoff 10 J.Mules 23
HF: D.Ponter 15 C.Randall - C 26 T.Charlton 25
F: A.Woodland 24 C.Scheer 4
Foll: R.Metcalfe 11 E.Phillips 13 A.Hatchard 33
I/C: C.Gould 1 R.Martin 5 H.Button 6 D.Varnhagen 9
Emerg: H.Munyard 20 C.Biddell 12
In: D.Cox
Out: R.Forth (omitted)
COLLINGWOOD
B: R.Schleicher 18 S.Casey 22
HB: A.Brazill 10 S.Livingstone 12 A.Porter 9
C: S.Chiocci - C 17 J.Lambert 13 J.Lin 20
HF: A.Sheridan 14 S.Alexander 24 M.Cann 25
F: C.Molloy 2 A.Newman 16
Foll: S.Norder 1 B.Davey 3 B.Bonnici 8
I/C: B.Smith 19 E.Fowler 15 T.Brown 26 S.Rowe 7
Emerg: M.Shevlin 35 K.Stratton 41
In: B.Smith
Out: K.Stratton (omitted)
GWS v Carlton
at Blacktown International Sportspark, 4.10pm AEDT
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
B: J.Dal Pos 7 L.Stephenson 12
HB: P.Randall 21 G.Garnett 17 A.Lister 14
C: E.Bennetts 22 B.Tully 36 A.Eva - C 2
HF: T.Mackrill 32 K.Smith 4 R.Privitelli 19
F: C.Staunton 13 H.Zreika 24
Foll: E.McKinnon 23 A.Parker 3 R.Beeson 6
I/C: T.Hetherington 9 J.Allan 39 T.Evans 18 E.Goodsir 1
Emerg: L.Steane 20 A.Schmidt 11
In: T.Hetherington, S.Halvorsen
Out: L.Graham (omitted), J.Hicks (omitted)
CARLTON
B: V.Laloifi 8 D.Walker 23
HB: G.Pound 6 A.Downie 30 K.Harrington - C 9
C: L.Brazzale 12 K.Loynes 2 E.O’Dea 46
HF: G.Gee 19 T.Harris 7 D.Vescio 3
F: J.Hosking 11 N.Stevens 21
Foll: B.Moody 16 M.Prespakis 4 L.McEvoy 13
I/C: C.Wilson 20 A.McKay 5 G.Egan 1 N.Plane 32
Emerg: J.Edwards 25 C.Hammans 17
In: C.Wilson
Out: C.Hammans (omitted)
West Coast v St Kilda
at Mineral Resources Park, 3.10pm AWST
WEST COAST
B: A.Ward 33 C.Perera 27
HB: S.McDonald 35 B.Smith 14 C.Guard 4
C: K.Orme 32 K.Gibson 2 M.Bowen 1
HF: G.Kelly 15 M.Caulfield 10 D.Liddle 23
F: A.Janz 37 I.Cameron 19
Foll: P.Laurie - C 25 N.Kelly 12 I.Lewis 6
I/C: A.Atkins 9 K.Pope 29 H.Bullas 24 L.Gauci 26
Emerg: S.Goranova 31 J.Low 30
In: S.McDonald, K.Orme, D.Liddle
Out: M.Collier (Injured), S.Davison (Injured), A.McCarthy (Injured)
ST KILDA
B: T.Lucas-Rodd 18 B.Jakobsson 8
HB: J.Van Dyk 36 C.Phillips 35 T.White 29
C: M.McDonald 1 J.Matin 19 H.Priest 14
HF: D.Guttridge 5 J.Vogt 10 C.Greiser 17
F: C.Whitfort 4 K.Shierlaw 12
Foll: P.Kelly 16 G.Patrikios 21 T.Smith 6
I/C: R.Watt - C 7 A.Burke 3 T.Meyer 34 R.Dillon 25
Emerg: R.Saulitis 13 A.Brown 2
In: C.Whitfort
Out: T.Luke (omitted)
North Melbourne v Fremantle
Arden Street Oval, 1.10 AEDT
KANGAROOS
B: D.Hardiman 31 J.Duffin 27
HB: S.Wright 17 T.Randall 16 A.Gilroy 8
C: K.Ashmore 10 E.Kearney - C 9 I.Eddey 3
HF: D.Bateman 11 G.Campbell 43 S.Abbatangelo 1
F: K.Gillespie-Jones 5 D.Bannister 2
Foll: E.King 60 J.Garner 25 A.Riddell 7
I/C: N.Bresnehan 12 B.Lynch 20 E.Gavalas 22 M.King 23
Emerg: J.Grierson 19 G.Hammond 44
In: B.Lynch
Out: J.Bruton (suspension)
DOCKERS
B: A.Stannett 4 J.Cuthbertson 29
HB: E.O’Driscoll 3 L.Pugh 32 M.Sergeant 23
C: E.Antonio 12 J.Stewart 7 S.Cain 20
HF: K.Antonio - C 15 R.Roux 17 S.Duffy 6
F: G.Houghton 27 A.Sharp 1
Foll: M.Strom 21 K.Bowers 2 H.Miller 19
I/C: B.Webb 26 G.O’Sullivan 22 P.Seth 18 T.Haynes 33
Emerg: A.McMahon 25 K.Grieve 13
No change
Melbourne v Brisbane
Casey Fields, 3.10pm AEDT
DEMONS
B: B.Tarrant 20 L.Birch 9
HB: S.Heath 30 S.Lampard 8 M.Downie 2
C: C.Sherriff 18 E.Zanker 29 E.McNamara 22
HF: J.Parry 19 K.Hore 10 S.Scott 12
F: M.Gay 3 D.Pearce - C 6
Foll: L.Pearce 15 K.Paxman 4 T.Hanks 5
I/C: L.Magee 26 G.Colvin 32 L.Mithen 14 T.Cunningham 1
Emerg: C.Emonson 11 N.McEvoy 17
In: M.Downie
Out: S.Goldrick (injured)
LIONS
B: R.Lugg 11 N.Grider 10
HB: E.Zielke - C 8 K.Lutkins 13 B.Koenen 3
C: O.O’Dwyer 9 C.Svarc 25 S.Conway 12
HF: G.Bodey 15 D.Davidson 14 L.Arnell 16
F: J.Wardlaw 30 C.Hodder 21
Foll: T.Hickie 24 A.Anderson 18 E.Bates 1
I/C: I.Tahau 26 J.Ellenger 5 I.Dawes 17 J.Wuetschner 23
Emerg: M.Moloney 28
In: R.Lugg
Out: S.Campbell (concussion)
Gold Coast v Geelong
Metricon Stadium, 4.10pm AEST
SUNS
B: D.Heslop 25 J.Pregelj 42
HB: C.Hammond 29 L.Ahrens 7 E.Pittman 9
C: E.Keaney 30 A.Drennan 33 D.D’Arcy 20
HF: K.Surman 26 T.Groves-Little 3 M.Levi 6
F: K.Howarth 23 S.Virgo 22
Foll: L.Bella 2 S.Watson 14 L.Single 13
I/C: H.Dunn - C 24 E.Hampson 21 L.Kaslar 11 W.Randell 15
Emerg: G.Bevan 27 B.Perry 16
In: T.Groves-Little, E.Hampson
Out: B.Perry (omitted), J.Baird (omitted)
CATS
B: M.Keryk 45 M.McMahon 24
HB: J.Ivey 5 M.McDonald - C 11 R.Webster 21
C: R.Garing 12 L.Gardiner 18 G.Rankin 10
HF: D.Higgins 2 P.McWilliams 23 S.Van De Heuvel 27
F: O.Barber 15 R.Cranston 30
Foll: A.O’Connor 14 A.McDonald 3 J.Crockett-Grills 6
I/C: C.Remmos 29 D.Moloney 4 R.Caris 1 M.Maguire 7
Emerg: G.Clarke 17 M.Boyd 26
In: J.Ivey, G.Rankin
Out: D.Taylor (injured), R.Goring (managed)
ROUND 9 EXPERT TIPS
Matt Turner 47
Western Bulldogs 14
North Melbourne 16
Brisbane Lions 9
Gold Coast 10
Adelaide 11
Carlton 15
West Coast 20
Last Week 6
Ebony Marinoff 45
Richmond
Fremantle
Melbourne
Gold Coast
Adelaide
Carlton
St Kilda
Last Week 7
Liz Walsh 45
Western Bulldogs 12
Fremantle 6
Brisbane Lions 3
Gold Coast 11
Adelaide 9
Carlton 25
St. Kilda 3
Last Week 6
Glenn McFarlane 44
Western Bulldogs 9
Fremantle 5
Brisbane Lions 8
Gold Coast 12
Collingwood 1
Carlton 21
West Coast 6
Last Week 6
Ellie Blackburn 43
Western Bulldogs
Fremantle
Brisbane Lions
Gold Coast
Adelaide
GWS Giants
St Kilda
Last Week 5
Chris Cavanagh 43
Western Bulldogs 12
North Melbourne 1
Brisbane Lions 6
Gold Coast 6
Collingwood 1
Carlton 12
West Coast 1
Last Week 5
Mark Robinson 42
Western Bulldogs 10
North Melbourne 3
Melbourne 5
Gold Coast 10
Adelaide 4
Carlton 3
West Coast 8
Last Week 6
Kate Salemme 42
Richmond 3
North Melbourne 17
Brisbane Lions 10
Geelong 19
Collingwood 2
Carlton 18
St Kilda 5
Last Week 5
Rebecca Williams 42
Western Bulldogs 14
Fremantle 9
Brisbane Lions 7
Gold Coast 5
Adelaide 4
GWS Giants 5
West Coast 6
Last Week 5
Michael O’Brien 40
Western Bulldogs 20
North Melbourne 10
Brisbane Lions 15
Gold Coast 20
Adelaide 5
Carlton 35
West Coast 15
Last Week 6
Kate McCarthy 38
Richmond
Fremantle
Melbourne
Gold Coast
Collingwood
Carlton
St Kilda
Last Week 5
Sarah Jones 37
Western Bulldogs 10
Fremantle 12
Brisbane Lions 9
Gold Coast 11
Adelaide 2
Carlton 15
West Coast 3
Last Week 5
Darcy Vescio 34
Western Bulldogs
Fremantle
Brisbane Lions
Geelong
Adelaide
Carlton
St Kilda
Last Week 6
Kiss of Death 11
Richmond 13
North Melbourne 13
Melbourne 13
Geelong 13
Collingwood 13
GWS Giants 13
St Kilda 13
Last Week 1
AFLW RUN HOME: EVERY FINALS CONTENDER ASSESSED
LIZ WALSH predicts the ladder finish after Round 9.
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THE RUN HOME
1. BRISBANE
Played 8, 28 points, 218.5 per cent
TO COME:
R9: Melbourne, Casey Fields, Sat March 27 (W)
WE SAY: Brisbane’s sensational season continued with a 15-point win over North Melbourne in Round 8, which has put them on top of the ladder, but only just: they are holding down top spot over Collingwood with the slimmest of margins. Brisbane now face the Demons – who are running high after back-to-back wins against premiership contenders Adelaide and Fremantle – and Brisbane will look at this as a danger game. If the Lions prevail at Casey Fields (and the Magpies lose to the Crows in Adelaide), then the Lions will claim their second minor premiership in five seasons.
PREDICTED FINISH: 1st (8 wins, 1 loss)
2. COLLINGWOOD:
Played 8, 28 points 217 per cent
TO COME:
R9: Adelaide, Norwood Oval, Sun March 28 (L)
WE SAY: Been an incredible season for the Magpies under coach Steve Symonds in his second year in charge, and the Magpies responded to their loss against the Lions in Round 7, by resoundingly beating the Saints by 46 points and giving them a healthy percentage boost.
Collingwood now head out on the road for the first time in 2021, to face Adelaide at Norwood Oval: how will they handle the travel? The Crows will likely go into that Round 9 clash as favourites. But do not discount. Should Adelaide win, percentage will be crucial in determining their finishing position. If Collingwood prevail, they will have sewn up a Top 2 spot. It’s now up to them to get the job done.
PREDICTED FINISH: 2nd (7 wins, 2 losses)
3. ADELAIDE
Played 8, 24 points, 210.7 per cent
TO COME:
R9: Collingwood, Norwood Oval, Sun March 28 (W)
WE SAY: After a poor 28-point loss to Melbourne in Round 7, Adelaide well and truly put that behind them with a convincing 56-point win over the Bulldogs at home, which lifted their percentage by almost 20 points. That percentage will come in vital if they are to power any further up the ladder. With Melbourne beating the highly-favoured Fremantle in Perth on Sunday, it means Adelaide are well and truly in the hunt for a top-two finish if they can beat Collingwood on Sunday by enough to lift their percentage over the Magpies. The Crows’ destiny is in their own hands.
PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd (7 wins, 2 losses)
4. FREMANTLE
Played 8, 24 points, 200.6 per cent
TO COME:
R9: North Melbourne, Arden St Oval, Sat March 27 (W)
WE SAY: Dropped from first to fourth after unexpectedly losing to Melbourne by five points in a low-scoring affair at Fremantle Oval.
Freo were undefeated in the 2020 season before COVID shut the league and 2021 has always been about unfinished business. But if they are to jump up into the Top 2 again, they’ll need a big win over the Kangaroos who will be playing at home at Arden St. Regardless of the Dockers’ Round 8 loss, they enter finals in strong form with star midfielder Kiara Bowers still considered the best player in the league this season. But they will rue that loss to the Demons, because it all likelihood it has cost them a top-two spot and automatic qualification into the preliminary final.
PREDICTED FINISH: 4th (7 wins, 2 losses)
5. MELBOURNE
Played 8, 24 points, 133.9 per cent
TO COME:
R9: Brisbane, Casey Fields, Sat March 27 (L)
WE SAY: The Demons backed up their magnificent win over Adelaide in Round 7 by unexpectedly beating Fremantle in Perth in a five-point thriller. That win has secured them their first-ever finals berth in five seasons. Unlike the four teams above them on the ladder, the Demons can’t challenge for a Top 2 spot even if they beat the Lions due to their inferior percentage, but win or lose against Brisbane on Saturday, they head into finals riding high on both confidence and pride in their style of play.
PREDICTED FINISH: 5th (6 wins, 3 losses)
6. NORTH MELBOURNE
Played 8, 20 points, 147.3 per cent
TO COME:
R9: Fremantle, Arden St Oval, Sat March 27 (L)
WE SAY: The Kangaroos had their three-game winning streak ended at the hands of the Lions and their next assignment is no easier as they face Fremantle at home – who will be looking to avenge their five-point loss to Melbourne. Should the Kangaroos prevail, they will lock in their finals appearance. But their percentage leaves them vulnerable to a late Carlton surge and if they lose to the Dockers, the side will be nervously watching the Blues/Giants clash on Sunday.
PREDICTED FINISH: 6th (5 wins, 4 losses)
7. CARLTON
Played 8, 16 points, 128.1 per cent
TO COME:
R9: GWS, venue still to be confirmed, Sun March 28 (W)
WE SAY: At the start of the season, the Blues were widely tipped not only to be finalists but to be 2021’s ultimate champions, so the fact that their finals chances now hang on by a thread – and will rely on how other games play out – will be disappointing for the team. They set a new AFLW record for the highest-ever score (87) when they thrashed Gold Coast by 50 points on Friday night.
If they can win big again over the Giants and North lose to Freo, then it will all come down to percentage. It could mean a nailbiting finish to the AFLW season.
PREDICTED FINISH: 7th (5 wins, 4 losses)
8. WESTERN BULLDOGS
Played 8, 16 points, 82.8 per cent
TO COME:
R9: Richmond, Whitten Oval, Fri March 26 (W)
WE SAY: Their season was effectively ended by the Crows when they lost by 56 points and their percentage suffered terrible. But miracles can happen …
They’ll be looking to finish off their season in good fashion – and snap a three-game losing streak – when they take on Richmond at Whitten Oval on Friday night. If they can win by enough in that game and then if North Melbourne is thrashed by Fremantle and the Giants upset Carlton, then they are still a finals chance.
PREDICTED FINISH: 8th (5 wins, 4 losses)
9. GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY
Played 8, 16 points, 71.6 per cent
TO COME:
R9: Carlton, Blacktown International Sportspark, Sun March 28 (L)
WE SAY: This Giants team has been through more than other this season: the sad passing of much-loved teammate Jacinda Barclay, then needed to relocate to regional NSW then Adelaide to avoid COVID-19 clusters, then having to endure the loss of their star Irish recruit Brid Stack to a neck fracture in a practice game. Despite it all, the team has amassed four wins from their eight games so far. They didn’t beat Geelong by enough in Round 8 to give their percentage a big boost, which will likely lock them out of finals. But if they can beat Carlton at home and other results go their way, then luck might just be on their side.
PREDICTED FINISH: 9th (4 wins, 5 losses)
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