HERE'S a quick look at this weekend's NAB AFLW Women's competition preliminary finals.
CARLTON v FREMANTLE
2.45pm AEDT, Saturday, March 23
Ikon Park, Carlton North, Vic
- These two have not played each other this year. The last time they met was in round seven of 2018, when Fremantle won by 11 points. Based on selected teams, both have made eight changes since then.
- Speedy Carlton forward Brooke Walker has hit a rich vein of form, kicking five goals in the past two weeks. Walker has slipped under the radar, benefiting from increased attention on Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio.
- Young Fremantle forward Sabreena Duffy has quickly become a crucial part of the Dockers' potent attack but will be racing against the clock to overcome an ankle injury suffered last week. She has been named in the team and will be given every chance to prove her fitness.
Tip: Blues by four points
ADELAIDE v GEELONG
12.45pm CDT, Sunday, March 24
Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, SA
- Adelaide comfortably accounted for Geelong the last time these two sides met (in round three), winning by 29 points at Norwood Oval.
- Geelong desperately needs to find paths to goal. Having lost its best forward Phoebe McWilliams (broken hand), it will be up to Kate Darby, Maddie Boyd and Mia-Rae Clifford to pick up the slack. The biggest issue for the Cats has been getting the ball inside forward 50. They average 24.1 entries, the third-fewest in the competition.
- Adelaide's dominant performance this year has been reflected in the All Australian squad. Nine of the 40 are Crows, showing just how big a task Geelong has ahead of it. The players come from a variety of positions: defence (Chelsea Randall, Marijana Rajcic and Sarah Allen); midfield (Ebony Marinoff, Anne Hatchard and Erin Phillips); forward (Stevie-Lee Thompson and Eloise Jones), and ruck (Jess Foley), underlining just how well-balanced the squad is.
Tip: Crows by 32 points
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