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LAST TIME THEY MET
Fremantle (6.0.36) def Melbourne (4.7.31) @ Fremantle Oval
Led by Daisy Pearce (24 disposals), flag favourites Melbourne absolutely dominated possession and most statistical areas but an inability to find the goals meant Fremantle's 6 straight was enough to get the W. Despite winning the hit-outs 35 to 18 Melbourne were comprehensively beaten in clearances 11 to 28. Fremantle's midfield (Donnellan, Hooker, Miller and Webb) proved it could not only compete with but arguably be better than the midfield regarded as the AFLW's best in 2018.
WHAT'S CHANGED?
This Sunday, Melbourne has a massive out in Daisy Pearce, whilst Fremantle finally bring in their marquee signing in Kiara Bowers after missing the past 2 seasons due to injury. The Demons will be without ruck Erin Hoare (now at Geelong) and rely on Lauren Pearce as their main ruck, whilst Freo will be without both its rucks from last time, Janz (injured) and White (delisted) and rely on debutant Parris Laurie to both compete in the ruck, provide support around the ground, and cover L.Pearce when she drifts forward.
Fremantle's forward line will be vastly different since last time they met - Lavell (retired), McGuire (delisted), Atkins (suspended) are all outs. There will be a lot of pressure on Houghton to provide a tall athletic focal point up forward and Freo will want her, Sharp and Caulfield to provide far more this season than last. Kellie Gibson's addition is a big one, and with Bresland and Williams both available in defence, it should allow Antonio to shift forward whenever it needs a boost.
One big question mark for Fremantle will be whether its 5 inexperienced debutants (Bowers being the 6th) can handle the step up to AFLW. Laurie, Stannett and Pugh were all solid in the practice match against Adelaide and Freo will be hoping they can repeat that effort throughout the regular season. Another will be whether Miller can pick up where she left off last season (after coming straight back in from injury this week) and provide much needed run to compliment perpetual game winners Hooker and Donnellan. Similarly with Bower's ball winning, class and run after being two years out of action.
TEAMS
Mebourne
B: M.Downie 2, H.Cordner 21, S.Sloane 26
HB: S.Lampard 8, E.O'Dea 5, K.Paxman 4
C: C.Emonson 11
HF: K.Hore 10, B.Jakobsson 7, A.Newman 16
F: E.Zanker 29, T.Cunningham 1, M.Gay 3
Foll: L.Pearce 15, L.Mithen 14, S.Scott - C 12
I/C: C.Phillips 35, K.Smith 13, C.Whitfort 20, T.Hanks 28, A.Woodland 19
Emg: A.Guest 17, A.Kemp 36
Fremantle
B: E.Gooch 8, T.Bresland 5, A.Stannett 24
HB: A.Williams 9, E.Antonio 12, S.Cain 20
C: S.Duffy 6
HF: K.Gibson 21, G.Houghton 27, G.O'Sullivan 22
F: P.Seth 18, A.Sharp 1, K.Bowers 2
Foll: P.Laurie 11, D.Hooker 17, K.Donnellan - C 15
I/C: H.Miller 19, K.Grieve 13, L.Pugh 32, L.Mascall 14, M.Caulfield 10
Emg: C.Stubbs 4, B.Moyes 55
PREDICTION
Fremantle's midfield should be stronger than Melbourne's sans Pearce but will need their forward line to do more than rely on being accurate in front of goals and Melbourne not so this time around. Melbourne has a pretty dangerous forward line with Cunningham, Hore and others able to create opportunities in front of goal. Both sides seem to have reasonable defences with the Demons boasting O'Dea, Paxman and Jakobsson, whilst Freo have Antonio, Williams and Bresland. It will be interesting to see where Antonio and Jakobsson play as both are great at reading the play and can play either end.
Melbourne have often struggled with pressure in past seasons and Fremantle will likely still be a side that prioritises pressure above all things. If Fremantle can get well on top in the midfield and bring the same pressure they've shown in their past wins then they'll have a very good chance of winning this one. If they don't then Melbourne's class will likely be too good in the end.
Fremantle by 5 points. But it's round 1, and I am far from a full bottle on Melbourne's AFLW team so who knows?
Fremantle (6.0.36) def Melbourne (4.7.31) @ Fremantle Oval
Led by Daisy Pearce (24 disposals), flag favourites Melbourne absolutely dominated possession and most statistical areas but an inability to find the goals meant Fremantle's 6 straight was enough to get the W. Despite winning the hit-outs 35 to 18 Melbourne were comprehensively beaten in clearances 11 to 28. Fremantle's midfield (Donnellan, Hooker, Miller and Webb) proved it could not only compete with but arguably be better than the midfield regarded as the AFLW's best in 2018.
WHAT'S CHANGED?
This Sunday, Melbourne has a massive out in Daisy Pearce, whilst Fremantle finally bring in their marquee signing in Kiara Bowers after missing the past 2 seasons due to injury. The Demons will be without ruck Erin Hoare (now at Geelong) and rely on Lauren Pearce as their main ruck, whilst Freo will be without both its rucks from last time, Janz (injured) and White (delisted) and rely on debutant Parris Laurie to both compete in the ruck, provide support around the ground, and cover L.Pearce when she drifts forward.
Fremantle's forward line will be vastly different since last time they met - Lavell (retired), McGuire (delisted), Atkins (suspended) are all outs. There will be a lot of pressure on Houghton to provide a tall athletic focal point up forward and Freo will want her, Sharp and Caulfield to provide far more this season than last. Kellie Gibson's addition is a big one, and with Bresland and Williams both available in defence, it should allow Antonio to shift forward whenever it needs a boost.
One big question mark for Fremantle will be whether its 5 inexperienced debutants (Bowers being the 6th) can handle the step up to AFLW. Laurie, Stannett and Pugh were all solid in the practice match against Adelaide and Freo will be hoping they can repeat that effort throughout the regular season. Another will be whether Miller can pick up where she left off last season (after coming straight back in from injury this week) and provide much needed run to compliment perpetual game winners Hooker and Donnellan. Similarly with Bower's ball winning, class and run after being two years out of action.
TEAMS
Mebourne
B: M.Downie 2, H.Cordner 21, S.Sloane 26
HB: S.Lampard 8, E.O'Dea 5, K.Paxman 4
C: C.Emonson 11
HF: K.Hore 10, B.Jakobsson 7, A.Newman 16
F: E.Zanker 29, T.Cunningham 1, M.Gay 3
Foll: L.Pearce 15, L.Mithen 14, S.Scott - C 12
I/C: C.Phillips 35, K.Smith 13, C.Whitfort 20, T.Hanks 28, A.Woodland 19
Emg: A.Guest 17, A.Kemp 36
Fremantle
B: E.Gooch 8, T.Bresland 5, A.Stannett 24
HB: A.Williams 9, E.Antonio 12, S.Cain 20
C: S.Duffy 6
HF: K.Gibson 21, G.Houghton 27, G.O'Sullivan 22
F: P.Seth 18, A.Sharp 1, K.Bowers 2
Foll: P.Laurie 11, D.Hooker 17, K.Donnellan - C 15
I/C: H.Miller 19, K.Grieve 13, L.Pugh 32, L.Mascall 14, M.Caulfield 10
Emg: C.Stubbs 4, B.Moyes 55
PREDICTION
Fremantle's midfield should be stronger than Melbourne's sans Pearce but will need their forward line to do more than rely on being accurate in front of goals and Melbourne not so this time around. Melbourne has a pretty dangerous forward line with Cunningham, Hore and others able to create opportunities in front of goal. Both sides seem to have reasonable defences with the Demons boasting O'Dea, Paxman and Jakobsson, whilst Freo have Antonio, Williams and Bresland. It will be interesting to see where Antonio and Jakobsson play as both are great at reading the play and can play either end.
Melbourne have often struggled with pressure in past seasons and Fremantle will likely still be a side that prioritises pressure above all things. If Fremantle can get well on top in the midfield and bring the same pressure they've shown in their past wins then they'll have a very good chance of winning this one. If they don't then Melbourne's class will likely be too good in the end.
Fremantle by 5 points. But it's round 1, and I am far from a full bottle on Melbourne's AFLW team so who knows?

