AFLW reveals final three rounds: See the fixture, teams and expert tips for Round 6

Madison Prespakis will return from suspension, but a key Blue has been rested for Carlton’s game against Geelong. AFLW TEAMS

Can Ellie Blackburn help the Dogs beat the Pies — and take a share of top spot in the News Corp AFLW tipping competition in the process? Picture: AAP

The AFL has moved a significant step closer to finishing the AFLW season after releasing its final three rounds on Thursday afternoon.

The league has had to chop and change in the run as COVID restrictions closed off state border closures.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE ROUND 6 SATURDAY TEAMS

But if all runs to plan West Coast and St Kilda will close out the season on Sunday, March 28 when they do battle in Perth.

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Could the Pies make it through the season undefeated? Picture: Getty Images

Round 7

Friday, March 12

Gold Coast v Richmond (Metricon) 7.40pm

Saturday, March 13

St. Kilda v GWS (RSEA Park) 3.10pm

North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs (North Hobart Oval) 5.10pm

Melbourne v Adelaide Crows (Casey Fields) 7.10pm

Sunday, March 14

Carlton v Fremantle (Ikon Park) 1.10pm

Brisbane v Collingwood (Hickey Park) 3.10pm

West Coast v Geelong Cats (Mineral Resources Park) 5.10pm

Round 8

Friday, March 19

Gold Coast v Carlton (Metricon Stadium) 5.10pm

Saturday, March 20

Geelong Cats v GWS (GMHBA Stadium) 1.10pm

Collingwood v St Kilda (Victoria Park) 3.10pm

Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne (The Gabba) 5.10pm

Sunday, March 21

Richmond v West Coast (Swinburne Centre) 12.40pm

Adelaide v Western Bulldogs (Norwood Oval) 4.10pm

Fremantle v Melbourne (Fremantle Oval) 6.10pm

Round 9

Friday, March 26

Western Bulldogs v Richmond (Whitten Oval) 5.10pm

Saturday, March 27

North Melbourne v Fremantle (Arden Street) 1.10pm

Melbourne v Brisbane Lions (Casey Fields) 3.10pm

Gold Coast v Geelong Cats (Metricon Stadium) 5.10pm

Sunday, March 28

Adelaide Crows v Collingwood (Norwood Oval) 12.40pm

GWS v Carlton (Venue TBC) 4.10pm

West Coast v St. Kilda (Mineral Resources Park) 6.10pm

Tayla Harris has been rested for Carlton’s game against Geelong.

ROUND 6 TEAMS

SUNDAY, MARCH 7

CARLTON V GEELONG

Ikon Park, 12.40pm AEDT

BLUES

B: V.Laloifi 8 M.Guerin 18

HB: C.Wilson 20 K.Harrington - C 9 G.Pound 6

C: G.Gee 19 M.Prespakis 4 L.Brazzale 12

HF: K.Loynes 2 N.Stevens 21 D.Vescio 3

F: M.Hill 10 S.Gibbs 33

Foll: B.Moody 16 A.McKay 5 L.McEvoy 13

I/C: G.Egan 1 J.Hosking 11 E.O’Dea 46 N.Plane 32 A.Downie 30

Emerg: J.Edwards 25 C.Hammans 17

In: M.Prespakis, K.Loynes

Out: T.Harris (managed), D.Walker (managed)

GEELONG

B: M.Brown 19 M.McMahon 24

HB: J.Ivey 5 M.McDonald - C 11 D.Taylor 28

C: S.Van De Heuvel 27 R.Webster 21 G.Rankin 10

HF: D.Higgins 2 P.McWilliams 23 D.Moloney 4

F: O.Barber 15 R.Cranston 30

Foll: A.O’Connor 14 A.McDonald 3 J.Crockett-Grills 6

I/C: R.Goring 44 M.Keryk 45 R.Garing 12 R.Caris 1 N.Garner 22

Emerg: L.Gardiner 18 M.Boyd 26

In: D.Moloney, O.Barber, R.Caris

Out: M.Boyd (omitted), O.Purcell (knee), S.Williams (omitted)

COLLINGWOOD V WESTERN BULLDOGS

Victoria Park, 2.40pm AEDT

MAGPIES

B: L.Butler 23 S.Casey 22

HB: S.Chiocci 17 S.Livingstone 12 J.Allen 6

C: R.Schleicher 18 J.Lambert 13 M.Cann 25

HF: A.Sheridan 14 S.Alexander 24 J.Lin 20

F: C.Molloy 2 A.Moloney 40

Foll: S.Norder 1 B.Davey - C 3 B.Bonnici 8

I/C: A.Porter 9 A.Newman 16 T.Brown 26 E.O’Dea 50 E.Fowler 15

Emerg: B.Smith 19 M.Shevlin 35

In: A.Moloney

Out: J.Membrey (knee)

WESTERN BULLDOGS

B: N.Ferres 16 E.Gamble 14

HB: A.Guest 19 K.Lynch 10 E.Brown 9

C: S.Hartwig 15 E.Blackburn - C 2 B.Hunt 21

HF: E.Georgostathis 17 I.Huntington 4 B.Lochland 1

F: B.Toogood 8 K.McLeod 6

Foll: K.Rennie 24 J.Fitzgerald 23 K.Lamb 27

I/C: D.Marshall 26 C.Moody 13 H.Scott 22 I.Pritchard 20 G.Newton 5

Emerg: B.Gutknecht 18 G.Lagioia 12

In: I.Pritchard

Out: D.Berry (knee)

WEST COAST V FREMANTLE

Optus Stadium, 1.40pm AWST

EAGLES

B: A.Ward 33 C.Perera 27

HB: M.Collier 8 L.Gauci 26 C.Guard 4

C: M.Bowen 1 A.McCarthy 11 I.Lewis 6

HF: A.Atkins 9 I.Cameron 19 M.Caulfield 10

F: K.Gibson 2 G.Kelly 15

Foll: P.Laurie 25 E.Swanson - C 13 H.Bullas 24

I/C: N.Kelly 12 A.Janz 37 K.Orme 32 B.Smith 14 D.Liddle 23

Emerg: K.Pope 29 S.Davison 28

In: C.Guard, A.McCarthy

Out: T.Bresland (injured), K.Pope (omitted)

DOCKERS

B: A.Stannett 4 J.Cuthbertson 29

HB: M.Sergeant 23 E.O’Driscoll 3 L.Pugh 32

C: E.Antonio 12 J.Stewart 7 S.Cain 20

HF: K.Antonio - C 15 R.Roux 17 G.O’Sullivan 22

F: G.Houghton 27 S.Verrier 5

Foll: M.Strom 21 K.Bowers 2 H.Miller 19

I/C: M.Hyde 28 T.Haynes 33 P.Seth 18 S.Duffy 6 K.Grieve 13

Emerg: B.Webb 26 A.Sharp 1

In: M.Hyde, K.Grieve

Out: B.Webb (omitted), A.Sharp (omitted)

SATURDAY, MARCH 6

GWS v BRISBANE

Manuka Oval, 3.10pm AEDT

GIANTS

B: G.Garnett 17 P.Randall 21

HB: A.Lister 14 L.Steane 20 J.Dal Pos 7

C: E.Bennetts 22 B.Tully 36 A.Eva - C 2

HF: H.Zreika 24 C.Staunton 13 K.Smith 4

F: T.Davies 16 A.Schmidt 11

Foll: E.McKinnon 23 A.Parker 3 R.Beeson 6

I/C: L.Graham 37 J.Allan 39 E.Goodsir 1 T.Mackrill 32 N.Barr 8

Emerg: E.Todd 25 J.Hicks 5

In: L.Steane, A.Schmidt, L.Graham

Out: T.Evans (omitted), R.Privitelli (omitted), L.Stephenson (omitted)

LIONS

B: S.Campbell 20 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 C.Hodder 21

F: J.Wardlaw 30 L.Arnell 16

Foll: T.Hickie 24 I.Dawes 17 E.Bates 1

I/C: J.Ellenger 5 A.Anderson 18 J.Wuetschner 23 I.Tahau 26 T.Smith 31

Emerg: M.Moloney 28 R.Lugg 11

No changes

ADELAIDE V GOLD COAST

Norwood Oval, 5.10pm AEDT

CROWS

B: N.Gore 7 M.Rajcic 32

HB: N.Allen 8 S.Allan 39 S.Thompson 14

C: J.Mules 23 A.Hatchard 33 A.Foley 3

HF: H.Button 6 C.Randall - C 26 R.Martin 5

F: E.Phillips 13 A.Woodland 24

Foll: R.Metcalfe 11 E.Marinoff 10 C.Scheer 4

I/C: L.Whiteley 22 D.Varnhagen 9 T.Charlton 25 A.Considine 16 D.Ponter 15

Emerg: C.Gould 1 J.Sedunary 19

In: R.Martin, R.Metcalfe, D.Varnhagen, A.Considine

Out: C.Gould (omitted), J.Sedunary (omitted), E.Jones (injured), H.Munyard (injured)

SUNS

B: D.Heslop 25 J.Pregelj 42

HB: E.Keaney 30 L.Ahrens 7 C.Hammond 29

C: K.Howarth 23 A.Drennan 33 D.D’Arcy 20

HF: L.Single 13 H.Dunn - C 24 P.Parker 1

F: T.Groves-Little 3 S.Virgo 22

Foll: L.Bella 2 S.Watson 14 J.Stanton 17

I/C: J.Hickey 4 L.Kaslar 11 W.Randell 15 S.Riley 8 K.Surman 26

Emerg: J.Baird 18 B.Perry 16

In: T.Groves-Little, S.Virgo, L.Kaslar

Out: M.Levi (knee), S.Perkins (knee), G.Bevan (shin)

MELBOURNE V ST KILDA

at Casey Fields, 7.10pm AEDT

DEMONS

B: G.Colvin 32 L.Birch 9

HB: D.Pearce - C 6 S.Lampard 8 B.Tarrant 20

C: C.Sherriff 18 M.Gay 3 E.McNamara 22

HF: J.Parry 19 K.Hore 10 S.Scott 12

F: E.Zanker 29 S.Heath 30

Foll: L.Pearce 15 K.Paxman 4 T.Hanks 5

I/C: C.Emonson 11 L.Magee 26 L.Mithen 14 T.Cunningham 1 A.Bannan 16

Emerg: N.McEvoy 17 M.Fitzsimon 24

In: B.Tarrant, L.Magee

Out: S.Goldrick (injured), N.McEvoy (omitted)

SAINTS

B: T.Lucas-Rodd 18 A.Brown 2

HB: J.Van Dyk 36 B.Jakobsson 8 T.White 29

C: C.Phillips 35 H.Priest 14 T.Meyer 34

HF: D.Guttridge 5 N.Exon 15 C.Greiser 17

F: K.McCarthy 9 K.Shierlaw 12

Foll: R.Watt - C 7 G.Patrikios 21 T.Smith 6

I/C: T.Luke 22 C.Whitfort 4 I.Shannon 11 R.Dillon 25 N.von Bertouch 28

Emerg: A.Burke 3 P.Kelly 16

In: N.Exon, K.McCarthy

Out: R.Saulitis (omitted), J.Vogt (injured)

RICHMOND v NORTH MELBOURNE

Friday, March 5, 5.10pm

TIGERS

B R.Miller 15 H.Cordner 23

HB S.D’Arcy 12 P.Monahan 2 I.Ross 21

C H.Burchell 9 S.Hosking 7 T.Lavey 37

HF C.Wakefield 8 E.McKenzie 22 K.Brennan – C 3

F T.Stahl 24 S.Frederick 14

R G.Seymour 28 K.Jacques 10 M.Conti 4

Inter. A.Makur Chuot 34 K.Dempsey 19 S.Dargan 17 S.Molan 1 M.Brancatisano 5

Emer. C.Bernardi 6 L.McClelland 16

ROOS

B D.Hardiman 31 T.Randall 16

HB N.Bresnehan 12 J.Duffin 27 A.Gilroy 8

C K.Ashmore 10 E.Kearney – C 9 J.Bruton 35

HF D.Bateman 11 G.Campbell 43 I.Eddey 3

F G.Hammond 44 S.Abbatangelo 1

R E.King 60 J.Garner 25 A.Riddell 7

Inter. D.Bannister 2 K.Gillespie-Jones 5 J.Grierson 19 E.Gavalas 22 M.King 23

Emer. A.O’Loughlin 6 B.Lynch 20

ROUND 6 TIPS

Sunday looms as a huge clash for the Western Bulldogs, with a chance at joining Collingwood in top spot on the AFLW ladder.

There’s just one problem …

They’ll have to be the first team to break down the Pies, who have started the season with an incredible five straight wins.

Similarly, if the she can get her side up, Bulldog Ellie Blackburn will join News Corp footy scribe Matthew Turner on top of this year’s expert tipping competition, as that as the only tip they differ on this round.

Can Ellie Blackburn help the Dogs beat the Pies — and take a share of top spot in the News Corp AFLW tipping competition in the process? Picture: AAP

Matt Turner 29

North Melbourne 5

Brisbane Lions 10

Adelaide 15

Melbourne 7

Carlton 12

Collingwood 2

Fremantle 4

Last Week 5

Ellie Blackburn 28

North Melbourne

Brisbane Lions

Adelaide

Melbourne

Carlton

Western Bulldogs

Fremantle

Last Week 5

Ebony Marinoff 27

North Melbourne

Brisbane Lions

Adelaide

Melbourne

Carlton

Collingwood

Fremantle

Last Week 6

Glenn McFarlane 27

North Melbourne 21

Brisbane Lions 20

Adelaide 29

Melbourne 13

Carlton 19

Collingwood 12

Fremantle 12

Last Week 6

Liz Walsh 27

North Melbourne, 12

Brisbane Lions 18

Adelaide 52

Melbourne 17

Carlton 45

Collingwood 14

Fremantle 28

Last Week 6

Chris Cavanagh 26

North Melbourne 18

Brisbane Lions 18

Adelaide 24

Melbourne 12

Carlton 24

Collingwood 6

Fremantle 24

Last Week 6

Kate Salemme 26

North Melbourne 17

Brisbane Lions 15

Adelaide 23

Melbourne 7

Carlton 18

Collingwood 9

Fremantle 21

Last Week 6

Rebecca Williams 26

North Melbourne 9

Brisbane Lions 7

Adelaide 12

Melbourne 10

Carlton 14

Collingwood 14

Fremantle 12

Last Week 5

Dan Andrews 25

Richmond 10

Brisbane Lions 5

Adelaide 20

St Kilda 10

Carlton 10

Western Bulldogs 20

West Coast 10

Last Week 6

Michael O’Brien 24

North Melbourne 2

Brisbane Lions 8

Adelaide 20

Melbourne 14

Carlton 15

Collingwood 4

Fremantle 10

Last Week 5

Mark Robinson 24

North Melbourne 11

Brisbane Lions 18

Adelaide 12

Melbourne 21

Carlton 31

Collingwood 15

Fremantle 22

Last Week 5

Kate McCarthy 23

North Melbourne

Brisbane Lions

Adelaide

St Kilda

Carlton

Collingwood

Fremantle

Last Week 5

Sarah Jones 21

North Melbourne 28

Brisbane Lions 13

Adelaide 21

Melbourne 3

Carlton 19

Collingwood 17

Fremantle 33

Last Week 5

Darcy Vescio 20

Richmond

Brisbane Lions

Adelaide

St Kilda

Carlton

Collingwood

Fremantle

Last Week 3

Kiss of Death 8

Richmond 13

GWS Giants 13

Gold Coast 13

St Kilda 13

Geelong 13

Western Bulldogs 13

West Coast 13

Last Week 1

Sarah Perkins has suffered a serious knee injury that will end her AFLW season. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

KNEE BLOW FOR ‘HEARTBROKEN’ AFLW CULT HERO

Gold Coast Suns star and AFLW cult hero Sarah Perkins says she is “heartbroken” after scans confirmed a season-ending knee injury.

Perkins hobbled from the field after a collision during the second quarter of last Sunday’s match against West Coast, with the Suns saying on Wednesday that their star recruit had suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury.

A 2017 All-Australian and premiership player with Adelaide, it is Perkins’ first season with Gold Coast.

She had spent her first three years with the Crows before crossing to Melbourne for the 2020 season.

“Just like that Season 1 as a Sun is over,” Perkins wrote on Instagram.

“Heartbroken that I don’t get to finish out the season with my sisters but it’s just a little hurdle for me to jump over.”

Perkins’ news comes after Collingwood’s Jordan Membrey and Geelong’s Olivia Purcell both suffered ACL ruptures last weekend.

Suns coach David Lake said while Perkins would be missed on the field, she would still contribute plenty off the field despite the injury.

“I’d like to think that when we brought Perko on board we brought on Perko the package and she’s brought so much else to the group,” Lake said.

“She’ll be in a splint for a bit but I think she’ll contribute in so many other ways and I’ll look to cash in on that.”

The Suns sit winless from five matches in 13th place on the AFLW ladder, ahead of only Geelong.

Melbourne’s Libby Birch is part of a new study looking into the rates of concussion and knee injuries. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty Images

NEW STUDY TO TACKLE INJURY RATES IN WOMEN’S FOOTY

– Nick Smart

A new study looking at injury rates in women’s community football throughout Victoria will push to recruit thousands of players as part of a groundbreaking new project.

The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) has partnered with the AFLW, La Trobe University and Medibank to evaluate rates of concussion and knee injuries in thousands of women and girls over the age of 16 who play Aussie rules.

The project will be led by physiotherapists Prof Kay Crossley and researcher Brooke Patterson, a former AFLW player and current development coach at Melbourne.

They head a team, including Demons AFLW players Libby Birch and Sarah Lampard, which are “non-stop” calling local coaches in a bid to recruit as many to the study as possible.

They’ll be collecting injury data over the next two years.

It comes as knee injuries in the AFLW continue to cause concern in 2021, with three players suffering ACL tears last weekend.

Concussion and knee injuries occur at a higher rate in the AFLW than in other elite female ball sports, and the AFLW 2020 injury report showed knee injuries had increased from the 2019 season.

“We’re trying to recruit 3500 players from 150 to 200 community teams, so I think just to get that breadth of information is going to then be able to give us really good data to even look at nationwide,” Patterson said.

“We’ll have a really good picture of what the injury rates are at community level to then be able to best direct the resources.

“If we find out, for example, the main problem for under-16’s is concussion then the focus for the coaches is your ground ball technique and your tackling technique.

“If the main issue is the knees for the under-18’s then at community level they’ve got limited time, so the more targeted they can potentially will be really good for community clubs.

“And our project part of it is not only collecting the data but sending in local physios to deliver coach workshops.

“Connecting people with their local community I think will also help create some connection there and hopefully it continues beyond just the project.”

The project is now recruiting U16 to U19 and senior women’s teams for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Coaches, sports trainers, team managers and club administrators are urged to contact the research team by email on [e-mail] or by calling 9479 1483.

North Melbourne’s Vivien Saad has been suspended for one match. Picture: Mark Stewart

ROO RUBBED OUT FOR CLEANING UP HARRIS

– Jay Clark

North Melbourne’s Vivien Saad has been suspended for one match for making forceful front-on contact to Carlton star Tayla Harris.

Saad collided with Harris in the second term of the Roos’ 22-point win over the Blues on Saturday.

The incident was graded as medium impact, high contact and careless conduct.

Tayla Harris went down during the Blues’ clash with North Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images

Saad will miss Friday night’s clash against Richmond unless the Roos challenge the match review charge.

Fremantle’s Kiara Bowers can receive a reprimand for tripping Brisbane’s Jessica Wuetschner.

Gold Coast’s Lucy Single was also reprimanded for making forceful front-on contact to West Coast’s Alicia Janz. The incident was graded as careless conduct, low impact and high contact.

Originally published as AFLW reveals final three rounds: See the fixture, teams and expert tips for Round 6