It’s been just four months since the Crows were crowned champions, but a new AFLW campaign has arrived. This will get you right up to speed on season seven.
The AFLW season has been brought forward, now running right the way through Spring. It’s a signature time of year to maximise interest, as the Men’s competition hits finals time, and the playing conditions will be a little friendlier on all the star Women’s athletes.
Also adding intrigue is the introduction of four new teams, ensuring all 18 clubs are now accounted for. In come Hawthorn, Sydney, Port Adelaide and Essendon.
It kicks off Thursday night with rivals Collingwood and Carlton playing out the traditional opener. The new season will mark the league’s first time that all 18 AFL clubs will be playing.
Despite all those teams featuring, the fixture for this year is ten home and away rounds, so each team will only face about half of the league’s outfits.
The expansion now makes it a top eight, instead of six, with the finals to be played over four weeks.
So with all that out of the way, let’s dive into some of the key names, storylines and matchups that will guarantee that season seven is the best yet.
Players to watch
There are now several household names with massive profiles in the AFLW, but there are more on the way. From emerging cult figures to looming comebacks, keep a close eye on these four names.
Millie Brown, Western Bulldogs
Brown’s beginnings within the AFLW have been turbulent. Injury limited the former Geelong Cat to just three games, before mental health reasons also kept the 21-year-old on the sidelines. She’s now ready to return, finding a new home this off-season after being traded to the Western Bulldogs. Millie Brown in the red, white and blue has been a hotly-anticipated prospect.
Amy Franklin, Fremantle
The Dockers’ ranks have taken a hit, with Ebony Antonio (PCL) and Kara Antonio (hamstring) still on the return trail, while Gemma Houghton signed with Port Adelaide. So the stage is set for Amy Franklin to step up, possessing upside through her athleticism and versatility. Franklin has just two AFLW games to her name, but will be one to look out for.
Akec Makur Chuot (Hawthorn)
Akec Makur Chuot made history in 2016, becoming the first woman of African descent to be drafted into the AFLW. With stints in Fremantle and more recently Richmond, the 29-year-old’s game time has been limited the past few seasons, coming off five game last campaign. She now joins new side Hawthorn, under the reign of premiership-winning coach Bec Goddard. Makur Chuot will be after consistency in brown and gold.
Chloe Dalton, GWS Giants
Former Blue Chloe Dalton has quite a story. The three-code athlete and Aussie Sevens gold medalist had battled through injuries to emerge as a shining light at GWS last year, ready to build further into prominence under new coach Cameron Bernasconi.
League best and fairest favourites
Last season, it was Brisbane’s Emily Bates who took out the award and the 26-year-old will be in the mix again. Others that featured in the medal count included Anne Hatchard (Adelaide), Kiara Bowers (Fremantle), Ellie Blackburn (Western Bulldogs), Ash Riddell (North Melbourne) and Jamie Lambert (Collingwood).
Bates, Hatchard and Richmond’s Monique Conti are being spoken about as early contenders at this stage.
Fixture highlights
With all 18 clubs now a part of the competition, that means more derbies and more must-watch encounters.
The opening round opens with a bang; it’s not just Carlton v Collingwood, but Adelaide and Melbourne will put on a Grand Final rematch.
Embed from Getty ImagesSydney’s two teams have a maiden matchup at the SCG in Round 3, the Western Derby is booked in for Round 5, while Port Adelaide will clash with the Crows for the first time in Round 6 at Adelaide Oval.
The third and fourth week will combine as Indigenious Round, allowing all 18 clubs to participate in the celebrations.
Round 8 is Pride Round; a double-header at Ikon Park with Essendon taking on the Swans and Geelong up against West Coast.
