ROUND seven kicks off with a bang, with Geelong and Hawthorn set to reprise the best AFLW match of all time on Thursday evening.

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Lily Mithen is also set to face her old friends for the first time, and two stars of the game will make history as Ally Anderson and Ebony Marinoff notch up 100 games.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Geelong v Hawthorn at GMHBA Stadium, 7.15pm AEST

Last time they met: Hawthorn 12.7 (79) d Geelong 9.7 (61), W5 2024

Last year's edition of this matchup was widely deemed the best AFLW match of all time, with free-flowing, attacking footy on show leading to Hawthorn's highest ever AFLW score, and the equal-third highest combined score in the League's history. Fans will be hoping for a sequel that lives up to the original to open round seven. The return of Aileen Gilroy has been enormously helpful for the Hawks' ball movement, with her outside run and booming kick key to getting the side's attacking game going again, after a season of high pressure, contested footy. The Cats, meanwhile, are a brilliant centre clearance team, with Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison, and Amy McDonald working neatly at the feet of ruck Piper Dunlop.

Each side's defence is operating at a different level. The Hawks are ruthless in their defensive 50, allowing the opposition to convert just nine per cent of their entries into goals, and limiting teams to a record low 24.7 per cent goal accuracy. So, Hawthorn allows teams to get the ball forward, but don't let them turn that into score. Geelong, however, works hard to restrict the number of entries, but once in deep defence, are susceptible to conceding scores.

Tip: It's the Cats' turn to get one back. Geelong by seven points.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26

Melbourne v Gold Coast at Casey Fields, 1.05pm AEST

Last time they met: Melbourne 9.4 (58) d Gold Coast 1.3 (9), R8 2022 (S7)

Lily Mithen will take on her old side for the first time, as the Suns travel to Casey Fields to take on a flying Melbourne outfit. Gold Coast was able to challenge Adelaide for three quarters last week, moving the ball well on the large deck of People First Stadium and getting it into the hands of its weapons, but once the Crows put the foot down late, the wheels fell off a little. This will be the challenge for the Suns this week – play four strong quarters. Easier said than done, though.

Melbourne is a high disposal team, keeping the ball off the opposition, while only allowing teams to use the ball at 58.5 per cent efficiency when they do give it up. It all starts at the contest, where the Demons average a record 131.5 contested possessions per game, and this allows them to get the ball to their stacked attacking line with Eden Zanker, Kate Hore, Tayla Harris, Alyssa Bannan, and Georgia Gall all dangerous propositions. Worryingly, the Suns are conceding an average of 66.6 points per game, and against a high-scoring team like Melbourne, this could swing even further against the Suns.

Tip: The Demons will consolidate their season. Melbourne by 30 points.

Essendon v North Melbourne at Windy Hill, 3.05pm AEST

Last time they met: North Melbourne 8.10 (58) d Essendon 1.1 (7), W8 2024

The Bombers were beaten by 51 points in the corresponding fixture last year, after coming in on a four-game winning streak and playing good footy. The huge concern is that things look very different now, with the Bombers having lost each of their last three games by five or more goals, and now having to face an impervious North Melbourne.

Certainly, the No.1 priority for Essendon must be wall-to-wall pressure for four full quarters. Seems simple, but execution is tough, especially given the spate of injuries that has hit the club this season. But they cannot allow the Roos to do whatever they want, and move the ball into attack with ease. North Melbourne isn't overly dominant in clearance this year, but in the post-clearance phase it is elite at winning the footy and controlling play from there. The club goals from roughly a quarter of its inside 50s, and enters its attacking 50 a record 46.3 times per game. It will be a long, long day for Essendon's backline.

Tip: The winning streak will stretch to 19. North Melbourne by 50 points.

Carlton v Fremantle at Ikon Park, 5.05pm AEST

Last time they met: Carlton 5.4 (34) d Fremantle 4.6 (30), W7 2024

The Blues and Dockers haven't faced off in Melbourne since 2021, but it's a return to Ikon Park for the 2025 edition. Fremantle has bounced back from a horror three-week patch against Brisbane, North Melbourne, and Sydney with consecutive wins and a return to style, but Carlton presents a greater challenge than in recent seasons. The Dockers are more of a territory team, not one that will slice an opponent up by foot, rather they work hard from contest to contest. The Blues are the opposite, using runners and neat disposal from half back, compounded by the speed they now boast on the park.

Fremantle has been hurt dearly on turnover at times this year, and although they have tightened things up recently, there is still a vulnerability to that end-to-end transition game. In wins this year the side has won the kick and disposal counts, and in losses, those metrics have gone to the opposition. Carlton, similarly, follow the pattern of winning the kick count, winning the game.

Tip: The Blues will get the bounce back. Carlton by 12 points.

Western Bulldogs v Collingwood at Mission Whitten Oval, 7.15pm AEST

Last time they met: Western Bulldogs 9.3 (57) d Collingwood 2.3 (15), W4 2024

The Pies are riding a wave of improvement this year, and could arguably have a couple more wins under the belt save for some composure in front of goal. This presents as a dangerous challenge for the Western Bulldogs, who haven't quite enjoyed a similar linear upward trajectory. What the Dogs need to do is get off to a strong start – Collingwood hasn't won an opening quarter since round one, but has managed to work its way back into games after the first break. This is where the Bulldogs can do some damage, take the game away from the Pies at their weakest point.

Finding avenues to attack have, however, been a struggle for the Western Bulldogs this year. There has been no clear, consistent target inside 50, with different players bobbing up week to week. Becoming predictable to one another ahead of the ball is an important phase of development on the horizon for the club, but on Thursday against a staunch Collingwood backline, scoring may become a problem. There will be a sense of control (Collingwood) v chaos (Western Bulldogs) in their styles of play, with the Pies' predictable ball movement and levers to pull in attack – ie. Flicking Ash Centra deep forward – makes them the favourite.

Tip: It's time for the Pies to break through for another win. Collingwood by five points.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

St Kilda v Port Adelaide at RSEA Park, 1.05pm AEST

Last time they met: Port Adelaide 7.5 (47) d St Kilda 5.2 (32), W8 2024

This is a fascinating clash between two sides that have ridden rollercoaster seasons to date. Their best footy can match it with some of the best teams in the League, but their worst has seen them blown away. They do come into this one with differing fortunes, however, as the Power suffered a narrow loss last week with a contentious umpiring decision in the final quarter, but they will likely get important duo Piper Window and Cheyenne Hammond back, while the Saints claimed a win over Richmond but have lost Molly McDonald, Liv Vesely, and J'Noemi Anderson to injury.

Port Adelaide's surge footy style could prove quite effective given the amount of territory the Saints generally give up, and this has the potential to be compounded by the physicality and strength of Matilda Scholz in the ruck against St Kilda duo Bec Ott and Rene Caris. Scholz's breakaway from stoppage at speed can give the likes of Gemma Houghton, Lauren Young, and Ash Woodland opportunity one-on-one, the latter being particularly dangerous as the most prolific goalkicker against the Saints compared to any other player in the League.

Tip: The Power will rectify last week's narrow loss. Port Adelaide by 17 points.

Adelaide v Sydney at Thomas Farms Oval, 2.35pm ACST

Last time they met: Adelaide 12.10 (82) d Sydney 2.3 (15), SF 2023

It took Adelaide three quarters to find its groove last week – similar to its round two win over Geelong – but then was able to flick the switch and do some serious damage late. It is this sort of extra level that the Crows can go to that will concern Sydney as it travels to Adelaide. Anne Hatchard's switch forward in Caitlin Gould's absence last week worked wonders, and without Gould in the line they become a little less predictable to the opposition and, therefore, harder to defend. They will also be determined to claim victory in Ebony Marinoff's record-breaking 100th game, a milestone the club is also notching up on Sunday.

Sydney, meanwhile, has proven its susceptibility to pressure in its last fortnight, and inability to get the game on its terms when it can't win the uncontested possession. Against such a well-drilled defensive side like the Crows, the task doesn't get any easier, and under this sort of pressure the Swans must learn to work through it and establish their version of control. The absence of reigning best and fairest winner Sofia Hurley has hurt in this respect, with her composure and class noticeably absent.

Tip: The Swans will challenge for a portion of the game, but the Crows' class will win out. Adelaide by 10 points.

Brisbane v Richmond at Brighton Homes Arena, 3.05pm AEST

Last time they met: Richmond 6.4 (40) d Brisbane 5.4 (34), R1 2023

Brisbane is yet to win consecutive games this year, while Richmond is yet to win, full stop. For both clubs, this is a crucial game to kickstart the back half of the season. The clubs' trend of best and worst quarters has followed a similar pattern, with both poorest in second terms, and peaking toward the end of games. Those highs and lows are, however, on very different scales. Richmond is yet to win a second quarter and has conceded almost 100 points in the term alone, making the margin a particularly tricky one to peg back in second halves.

The Tigers are ill-disciplined, and make poor decisions on-field, which has exacerbated their dysfunctional attacking line. Generally, Richmond needs a quarter or half-time break to reset and establish adjustments to the game state, instead reverting to long kicks to aerial contests. For this reason, the Lions need to be prepared to compete well in the air, and maintain a disciplined structure behind the play to take away any of the Tigers' weapons. Similarly to Adelaide, Brisbane will be focused on notching up a win for Ally Anderson's historic 100th game, also the club's 100th in the AFLW.

Tip: It will be the first back-to-back wins of the Lions' season. Brisbane by 22 points.

West Coast v Greater Western Sydney at Mineral Resources Park, 3.05pm AWST

Last time they met: West Coast 10.4 (64) d Greater Western Sydney 6.4 (40), W5 2024

The Giants are coming off their first back-to-back wins since 2021, and are now on a mission to record three consecutive victories in their AFLW history. They have quite effectively established a broader attack in recent weeks, rather than their past trend of being heavily reliant on one player to kick the bulk of their score, with Tarni Evans, Georgia Garnett, Brodee Mowbray, Tayla Levy, Eilish O'Dowd, and Kaitlyn Srhoj all getting dangerous in front of goal. For this reason, they are becoming increasingly difficult to defend, especially with their aggressive ball movement from up the field.

West Coast, meanwhile, is still without Lucia Painter who although a first-year player, throws out the structure a little. Painter's contested marking ability was missed up forward last week, especially with Lauren Wakfer spending more time through the ruck in Liz McGrath's absence. The Eagles are a dangerous side, that can do some serious damage on the scoreboard in short periods of time, but at the moment just lack a little bit of consistency to reliably get the job done across the four quarters.

Tip: The Giants will keep riding their momentum. Greater Western Sydney by five points.

ST KILDA has come from the clouds to pull off the AFLW's greatest comeback, coming from 27 points down at three-quarter-time to prevail over Port Adelaide by 11 points at RSEA Park on Sunday afternoon.

Headlined by three final-quarter goals from Jesse Wardlaw, the Saints turned what appeared to be a certain defeat into an unbelievable - and at the time - unfathomable 8.5 (53) to 6.6 (42) triumph.

SAINTS v POWER Full match coverage and stats

The win marks the biggest comeback from three-quarter-time in AFLW history, and comes just two months after the club's men's side did the same against Melbourne.

Similar to Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera's star turn in that fightback, Wardlaw’s three consecutive majors within the space of five minutes turned the game on its head in the blink of an eye, with the Saints only gathering more and more steam as the possibility of victory materialised with every passing second.

The inspiring treble from the Saints spearhead put her side within two points, but a costly 50m penalty paid against Piper Window for handing the ball back to the wrong player from a free kick saw Georgia Patrikios march to within scoring range, cooly converting to put her side in the lead for the first time of the afternoon.

Port Adelaide were led superbly by Matilda Scholz (30 hit-outs, 15 disposals) and Gemma Houghton (two goals), the former of whom drove her side’s ascendancy at stoppages (17-24) and enabled the defence to rebound into attack with danger and dare, but the Saints’ comeback ultimately caught all by surprise.

Wardlaw (four goals) was the star of the show late, but was brilliantly aided by Tyanna Smith (24 disposals, 11 tackles) and Ash Richards (20 disposals), who was taken out from the game in the dying minutes with an ankle injury. Meanwhile, Jaimee Lambert in customary fashion battled through a quad corkie — passing a fitness test pre-game — to amass a pivotal 19 possessions to lead the Saints’ on-ball charge.

The victory places the Saints inside the top eight as their hunt for a maiden finals berth beckons, leaving Port Adelaide’s own finals hopes fading out after letting slip a golden opportunity to stay in touching distance of the top eight.

Early, the Power were the ones with both hands comfortably on the wheel. Port Adelaide’s spring off the half-back line was a particular standout right from the game’s opening minutes, with the returning Piper Window the first beneficiary with an equally eye-catching kick on the run from long-range to get her side on the board.

The Saints had their own chances to curb the visitors’ surges at hit the scoreboard themselves, however their kicks inside-50 hit opposition defenders lace-out and opened the door for more counter-punches moving out of defence.

There was no better example than when Zoe Besanko was run down from behind by a desperate Teagan Germech, with Port Adelaide pouncing on the defensive turnover to move to attack and score through Gemma Hougton in the blink of an eye.

Houghton’s second major and another from the returning Jasmine Sowden blew the margin out to four goals at the main break, with Matilda Scholz’s dominance around stoppages giving every opportunity to further their steadily building lead.

Scholz ended her afternoon as Port Adelaide’s best player, dominating the hit-outs 36-12 and collecting 15 disposals to boot in what looked set to be a day of Power domination.

Despite a shakier to begin the second term in the hunt for their maiden goal, the Saints steadied through Jesse Wardlaw to piece together a much-improved second term which yielded two goals without reply.

Richards’ clean use and driving kicks in attack — standing in stark contrast to St Kilda’s opening term — was prolific in her team’s resurgence, with the ball living close to exclusively in the home side’s forward half with thanks to her efforts.

Nicola Xenos added to St Kilda’s spirited comeback with a long-awaited major after spending multiple months on the sidelines with a foot injury, however Port Adelaide still had punches left to throw.

Katelyn Pope and Indy Tahau quickly re-established Port Adelaide’s initial buffer within minutes of the third quarter, with their defensive tackling pressure and weight of forward-50 entries tightening their grip on the contest and making it appear all but certain that they would come home with the four points.

But then came the unbelievable. Lambert kicked off the Saints’ run before Wardlaw exploded onto the scene in style, with each celebration getting better and better as the red, white and black marched towards what just moments ago seemed the impossible.

Patrikios’ classy conversion put the Saints’ nose in front with minutes left to play as Wardlaw was pushed to the other end of the ground to shore up the defence.

Port Adelaide pushed hard to the end despite Amber Clarke firing through the would-be sealer with barely any time remaining, with the Power’s final push at the sticks fittingly marked by Wardlaw to signal one of the competition’s most memorable and inspiring triumphs. 

Wonderful Wardlaw makes the magic happen
Santana and Rob Thomas’ hit of Smooth was just about on loop blaring through the stadium PA as Jesse Wardlaw got firing to give the Saints a shot at snaring the four points. And “smooth” might just be the perfect word to sum up Wardlaw’s season to date, amazing football acts and sublime celebrations included. Pushing up the ground to present as a marking target, soaring deep in attack and reeling in contested marks with ease before nestling back in defence to take the match-winning mark as the Power took one last throw at the stumps, Wardlaw has entrenched herself as the Saints’ most important player. As has been Dal Santo’s mantra when speaking about Wardlaw, “good players can play anywhere”, and that certainly is the case for the Saints' key forward in 2025. 
 
Any way the wind blows
There wasn’t so much as a breeze blowing at RSEA Park this afternoon as a slight wind to the north, but it was enough to impact the scoreboard. Amazingly, not a single goal was kicked at the southern end of the ground, with the Saints and Power goalless in alternating quarters to keep the tight tussle going. The Saints ultimately made the most of the breeze late with six unanswered goals in the final term, while the Power conversely got a jump on their opposition early with four striking majors in the opening stanza, two of which came off the boot of Gemma Houghton in superb style.

Up next
St Kilda will hit the tarmac to face Greater Western Sydney at Henson Park next Saturday afternoon to further its push into the top eight, while Port Adelaide will return home to Alberton Oval to take on the Western Bulldogs in the hopes of keeping its season alive.

ST KILDA                0.1    2.3     2.3     8.5 (53)
PORT ADELAIDE     4.1    4.3     6.6     6.6 (42)

GOALS
St Kilda: Wardlaw 4, Xenos, Lambert, Patrikios, Clarke
Port Adelaide: Houghton 2, Window, Sowden, Pope, Tahau

BEST
St Kilda: Smith, Lambert, Wardlaw, Richards, Jakobsson
Port Adelaide: Scholz, Houghton, Goody, Dowrick, Paterson

INJURIES
St Kilda: Priest (nose), Richards (ankle)
Port Adelaide: Nil

Crowd: 1776 at RSEA Park