The AFLW’s expansion to 11 home-and-away matches and a condensed fixture with midweek clashes have come with teething problems, including injuries to star players and dire, overly-defensive affairs. But the spotlight is firmly back on the action on the field with 18 starters now whittled down to a top eight.
With the finals series starting this week with four evenly-matched clashes, we look at what to expect from the remaining contenders.
North Melbourne
The Kangaroos are just the third team to surge through an AFLW home-and-away season without defeat, though like the Lions seven years ago there is the one blemish of a draw. There were early signs of what was to come when North Melbourne crushed Brisbane in a lopsided grand final rematch, and they now look primed to become the fourth runner-up in a row to win the flag the following year. The Roos have a battle hardened midfield and the stingiest defence to grind down opponents, with the forward firepower and rapid ball movement to just as easily blow them away.
Star power: Jasmine Garner
The gun onballer took time to hit peak form this season but is without equal for being as damaging near goal as around the contests, and has booted 13 majors while remaining the key to the Roos’ commanding midfield.
Hawthorn
This year’s surprise packets have already filled their boots with a $1m prize as the champion club across the women’s and men’s home-and-away seasons. The Hawks will launch into their first finals campaign with wind in their sails after overrunning the Tigers, though a kind draw means they have only beaten one other top-eight finisher. Hawthorn might still carry scars from a defeat away to Adelaide but have since won eight on the trot, and with a flourishing running game and well-balanced midfield are perfectly poised to deliver another shock or two.
Star power: Eliza West
The tenacious midfielder has taken her game to a new level since being handed more responsibility in her first season with the Hawks, and no longer flies under the radar, whether winning her own ball or clamping down on opposition weapons.
Brisbane
The reigning premiers have much the same lineup and are looking to become the first side to go back-to-back. The opening-round thumping at the hands of the Kangaroos shocked the Lions into action as they quickly rediscovered their best with a pacy outside game making light work of several lesser lights. But only just holding off the Crows at home and then being defeated by the Cats have been reminders of how hard it is to be the hunted across a full season.
Star power: Dakota Davidson
The powerful forward helped turn the game for the Lions in last year’s decider and remains a major threat at finals time even if her impact on the scoreboard has fallen away as Taylor Smith’s has risen.
Adelaide
The Crows might rue being on the road in the first week of finals against the standout team so far after falling narrowly short when facing the Kangaroos just two weeks ago as well as the Lions earlier in the season. There were no excuses for a loss to the Demons in a low-scoring tussle and concerns remain over the Crows’ ability to make the most of their opportunities in the forward half.
Star power: Ebony Marinoff
The consistent midfielder has arguably enjoyed her best season yet while averaging 30.4 disposals, and ensures the Crows get the ball going their own way with 6.5 clearances as well as 12.4 tackles a game.
Fremantle
The Dockers have returned to finals for the first time since their flawless 2020 campaign was cut short by a pandemic with a new-look outfit off the back of some clever recruitment. The resurgence has been boosted by a breakout season from ruck Mim Strom as well as a deep midfield group that works hard to lock the ball forward. A shock loss to Carton ultimately cost Fremantle a double chance with their other defeats coming at the hands of Hawthorn and Adelaide.
Star power: Aisling McCarthy
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The all-action midfielder has made an immediate impact since crossing over from rivals West Coast ahead of this season and is averaging a career-high 21.6 disposals while also adding eight goals.
Port Adelaide
The Power will play finals for the first time after overcoming a challenging start to the season and now have the momentum of six consecutive victories behind them. Port have a game built for the occasion with a reliance on creating contests and winning the ball at stoppages, though they have lost all four of their matches against eventual finalists.
Star power: Gemma Houghton
The experienced forward showed she is a player for big moments when taking a clutch mark and booting a last-minute match-winner against the Giants to secure a home final for the Power.
Richmond
The Tigers turned around a horror start to the season when they were defeated by the Eagles to win six of their next seven matches, but arrive in the finals without a victory in their past three. Their winning streak included beating the Power in wet and wild conditions when the Tigers were unable to rely on their usual aerial prowess in attack and instead showed that an experienced midfield remains the key to their fortunes.
Star power: Monique Conti
Last year’s AFLW best and fairest winner has maintained her place among the elite midfielders even while coming under more attention from the opposition who are increasingly wary of her classy ball use.
Essendon
The Bombers booked their place in the finals with a resounding victory over the Blues to again demonstrate that they have opened up a gap on the teams outside the top eight. But Essendon are still some way off competing with the absolute pacesetters while questions remain over how their preference for controlling the ball through uncontested possessions will stack up under the finals heat.
Star power: Madison Prespakis
The tireless midfielder continues to lead the way for the Bombers around the stoppages and when setting up goalscoring opportunities even as the likes of Georgia Nanscawen have risen to add valuable support.
