AFLW 2019 Round 5: The Team

AFLW 2019 Round 5 COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON Time & Place: Saturday 2nd March, 7:15pm EDT Princes Park TV: 7mate 7.00pm EDT Weather: Min 25 Max 36 Chance of rain 5%: < 1mm Wind: NNE 16kph Betting: Collingwood $2.80 Carlton $1.44

Backs: Jordyn Allen, Sophie Casey, Iilish Ross

Half-backs: Emma Grant, Stacey Livingstone, Ash Brazill

Centre: Brittany Bonnici

Half-forwards: Melissa Kuys, Jordan Membrey and Kristy Stratton

Forwards: Sarah Rowe, Sophie Alexander, Katie Lynch                                        

Rucks: Eliza Hynes, Stephanie Chiocci, Jaimee Lambert

Interchange: Sharni Layton, Sarah Dargan, Darcy Guttridge, Maddie Shevlin, Ruby Schleicher

Emerg: Lauren Butler and Mikala Cann
In: Guttridge, Schleicher and Brazill
Out: Hildebrand, McIntosh and Parker

Collingwood News Darcy Guttridge will finally be presented with her black and white stripes when she makes her AFL Women’s debut in Saturday night’s clash between Collingwood and Carlton at Ikon Park. The 19-year-old was selected by the Pies as pick number nine in the 2017 draft. But having sustained a broken collarbone in a pre-season match, Guttridge was sidelined, missing the entire 2018 season. Back in the team this week is utility player Ash Brazill, who has recovered from concussion suffered in the Pies’ round three clash against the Dockers. Alongside her, defender Ruby Schleicher will also return after sitting out last week’s match against the Giants.

Roar Last week, Collingwood slumped to a new low – falling to their fourth straight loss. A scoreless first quarter against the Giants in Morwell saw the Pies forced to play catch-up, but while they scored four majors to one after quarter-time, they ended up falling short by nine points. On Saturday night they have their best chance yet to break their duck, in what shapes as a mockbuster at Ikon Park, with the Blues languishing on one win for the season. After breaking through for their first win in over 12 months, against the Giants in Round 3, Daniel Harford’s side fell agonisingly short of a second consecutive win when they went down to the Geelong Cats by just five points last Saturday night. Had Tayla Harris not hit the post twice in the third quarter (as well as dropped some gettable marks), the Blues could so easily have won consecutive matches for the first time since the opening two rounds of last season. Instead, they remain third in Conference B and while a win will go a long way towards keeping their finals chances alive, it would also see the Pies edge closer to the overall wooden spoon (not only have they not won a match, their percentage is 56.2). Prediction: Carlton by six points.

2019 AFL Pre Season Draw

2019 PRE SEASON DRAW
Game One Fremantle v Collingwood Monday March 4 Joondalup Arena 6:40pm EDT Fox Footy 6:30pm EDT	Game Two Collingwood v Carlton Monday March 11 Morwell Recreation Reserve 2:10pm EDT Fox Footy 2:00pm EDT

The 2019 pre-season competition will feature 18 matches across two weekends. For the sixth successive year, the competition will not have a grand final or overall winner. All matches will be televised live on Fox Footy.

AFLW 2019 Round 4: GWS 36 Collingwood 27

AFLW 2019 Round 5 COLLINGWOOD v CARLTON Time & Place: Saturday 2nd March, 7:15pm EDT Princes Park TV: 7mate 7.00pm EDT Weather: Min 22 Max 38 Chance of rain 10%: < 1mm Wind: NNE 12kph Betting: Collingwood TBC Carlton TBC

GWS                       4.2.26     4.3.27   5.6.36   5.6.36
COLLINGWOOD      0.0.0     2.1.13   2.1.13   4.3.27

GOALS - Collingwood: Membrey 2, Dargan, Shevlin

BEST - Collingwood: Lambert, Dargan, Bonnici, Livingstone, Membrey

INJURIES - Collingwood: D'Arcy (hamstring) replaced in selected side by Membrey

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 1743 at Morwell Recreation Reserve

What The Pies Coach Said "The first quarter probably cost us. I think we were a little bit slow to react to the breeze … but full credit to our group. At quarter-time, we came in after a bit of a slow start and the next three quarters, I think, were four goals to one, so they worked exceptionally hard in that third quarter when we asked for a special effort to keep us within that three- or four-goal range at quarter-time and we gave ourselves a chance to win but just came up a little bit short. But the last three quarters, the intent, the work-rate and the way they applied themselves, I'm very proud of the group." – Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman

Media Clippings AFL News Greater Western Sydney has thrust itself back into the finals hunt with a nine-point defeat of Collingwood on Sunday, leaving the Magpies as the competition's only winless team. The match-up between the Conference B rivals was desperately important for both if they were to have any hope of qualifying for the post-season. The Giants landed a major blow early and were never seriously threatened despite Collingwood's late rally, going on to post their maiden victory of the season, 5.6 (36) to 4.3 (27). The Age GWS are victors for the first time this AFLW season after holding off winless Collingwood by nine points in blustery conditions at Morwell. ... Collingwood's hopes of reaching the finals for the first time are all but over as they are the only winless team left in the competition ahead of games with Carlton, powerhouses North Melbourne and two-time grand finalists Brisbane. Fox Sports Collingwood’s time in AFLW has gone from bad to worse. The Magpies are the only team without a win in 2019 after Greater Western Sydney kept its finals chances alive by finally getting off the mark in Morwell. ... Greater Western Sydney kicked with the wind in the opening quarter and never looked threatened until the dying minutes when Collingwood had a couple of shots to reduce the margin to less than a kick. But after booting four goals in the opening quarter — and only one after that — the Giants held on to move one win below Brisbane and Geelong at the top of conference B. ... Despite the best efforts of Jaimee Lambert, who had 20 disposals and laid seven tackles, and Sarah Dargan, who picked up 16 touches and six tackles, the Magpies remain winless after the opening month of the season. While it is still mathematically possible, it is extremely unlikely they will still be playing when the whips are cracking next month. Herald Sun Kicking with the wind in the last quarter, the Magpies made a late charge by kicking two majors while keeping GWS scoreless but the early deficit proved too much. ... Former Lion Jordan Membrey was a major threat up forward in her first game for the Magpies, slotting two majors. Jaimee Lambert (20 possessions) was Collingwood’s top ballwinner, while former Australian netballer Sharni Layton showed some good signs in the ruck, including setting up Membrey’s first goal.

LADDER

AFLW 2019 Round 4: The Team

AFLW 2019 Round 4 COLLINGWOOD v GWS Time & Place: Sunday 24th February, 2:05pm EDT Morwell Recreation Reserve TV: Fox Footy 2.00pm EDT Weather: Min 13 Max 26 Chance of rain 5%: < 1mm Wind: E 28kph Betting: Collingwood $2.35 GWS $1.60

Backs: Jordyn Allen, Sharni Layton, Iilish Ross

Half-backs: Stacey Livingstone, Georgie Parker, Nicole Hildebrand

Centre:  Brittany Bonnici

Half-forwards: Melissa Kuys, Sarah D’Arcy, Maddie Shevlin
   
Forwards: Sarah Rowe, Sophie Alexander, Cecilia McIntosh

Rucks: Eliza Hynes, Stephanie Chiocci, Jaimee Lambert

Interchange: Sophie Casey, Katie Lynch, Sarah Dargan, Kristy Stratton, Emma Grant

Emergencies: Erica Fowler and Jordan Membrey

In: Grant, Stratton, Kuys, Parker, Layton

Out: Whitford, Gourlay, Cann, Schleicher, Brazill (Injury)

Collingwood News Collingwood midfielder Melissa Kuys will return to the field for the first time this season when the Magpies meet the GWS Giants in Morwell on Sunday. The 31-year-old has been recovering from a tear in her left achilles, which she sustained playing for Hawthorn in the VFL Women’s preliminary final - against Collingwood - late last year. Alongside her, utility player Georgie Parker will also put on the boots for her first game of 2019. Kristy Stratton (broken hand) and Emma Grant (shoulder) will also re-join the team after recovering from injuries. The Pies will be without star Ash Brazill who failed to recover in time after suffering concussion in last week’s match against the Dockers.

Roar Crunch time arrives for both Collingwood and the GWS Giants on Sunday, with both teams the only ones to have not yet registered a win so far this season. The Pies have been the biggest disappointments of the season so far, not only have they lost all three matches, they have been beaten heavily in their past two matches in particular, only managing three goals across their losses to Melbourne and Fremantle. This has left them at the bottom of Conference B with a percentage of 49.5 ahead of the game against the Giants, who were competitive but otherwise let down by poor ball use in their defeat against Carlton last week. The loss saw them fall to an 0-3 record and facing an uphill battle to reach the finals for the first time. If there is one player who will be fired up to face her old club, it is Christina Bernardi. Three games into her career at the Giants and she is already proving her worth, as evidenced by her two third quarter goals against the Blues last week. She and Alicia Eva will be the brains trust the Giants will rely on as they attempt to break their season duck behind enemy lines this Sunday. But I have a feeling that a week of criticism that may be headed the Pies’ way might drive them to their first win in Morwell. Prediction: Collingwood by eight points.

AFLW 2019 Round 3: Fremantle 51 Collingwood 18

AFLW 2019 Round 4 COLLINGWOOD v GWS Time & Place: Sunday 24th February, 2:05pm EDT Morwell Recreation Reserve TV: Fox Footy 2.00pm EDT Weather: Min 10 Max 27 Chance of rain 10%: < 1mm Wind: SE 23kph Betting: Collingwood TBC GWS TBC

FREMANTLE         2.1.13   5.3.33   6.8.44   7.9.51
COLLINGWOOD     0.1.1     0.2.2   1.4.10   2.6.18

GOALS - Collingwood: D'Arcy, Lambert

BEST - Collingwood: D'Arcy, Bonnici, Brazill, Livingstone, Lambert, Dargan

INJURIES - Collingwood: Ash Brazill (concussion), Brittany Bonnici (bruised ribs)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 5443 at Fremantle Oval

What The Pies Coach Said "They got their hands to the ball first, which allowed them to get the ball inside 50. With the new 5-6-5 rules, you can get one-on-ones if the ball comes forward quickly." – Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman

Media Clippings AFL News Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman will be feeling the heat after a third straight 0-3 start, and questions will begin to be asked if he can't engineer a turnaround similar to last year, when the Magpies won three games in the final month of the season. The visitors sorely missed star vice-captain Emma Grant (shoulder) on Saturday but it is their system, rather than talent, that needs to be addressed. There was a glaring inability to string together chains of possession and threaten the Dockers on their home turf. The Age The Magpies, the lowest scoring team of the competition after two rounds, again struggled to find potency in attack and only kicked their first goal of the match midway through the third quarter. Sarah D'Arcy and Ash Brazill, a former West Coast Fever netballer, tried hard for the hapless visitors who had kicked just six goals this season. ... The Magpies played with more purpose in the second half and finally ended their goal drought when D'Arcy converted after receiving a 50-metre penalty, but they never seriously threatened despite outscoring the Dockers in the final term. The Roar Again, the Collingwood ladies failed to put a major on the scoreboard in the first half, and with the deficit at 31 at the main break, things looked ominous for the Pies heading into the third quarter. Sarah D’Arcy put the Pies on the board thanks to two 50-metre penalties, but the celebration was short-lived as the Dockers hit back through Kellie Gibson. The final quarter was Collingwood’s best for the match, however, lacked some class in the forward 50 to convert entries into goals on the scoreboard. Fox Sports Collingwood’s disappointing form to date in the first two and half seasons of the AFLW competition continued in Western Australia. After losing to Geelong by a point in Round 1 and Melbourne by three goals last weekend, the Magpies are coming from a long way back now, staring down the barrel of another poor season.

AFLW 2019 Round 3: The Team

AFLW 2019 Round 3 COLLINGWOOD  v FREMANTLE Time & Place: Saturday 16th February, 7:15pm EDT Fremantle Oval TV: 7mate 7.00pm EDT Weather: Min 17 Max 28 Chance of rain 5%: < 1mm Wind: SSW 30kph Betting: Collingwood $4.00 Fremantle $1.25

Backs: J.Allen 6, A.Brazill 10, I.Ross 21

Half-backs: S.Livingstone 12, R.Schleicher 18, N.Hildebrand 3

Centre: B.Bonnici 8

Half-forwards: S.Dargan 46, S.D'Arcy 4, K.Lynch 16

Forwards: S.Rowe 7, S.Alexander 24, C.McIntosh 20

Rucks: E.Hynes 11, S.Chiocci (c) 17, J.Lambert 13

Interchange: S.Casey 22, M.Shevlin 35, G.Gourlay 32, M.Cann 25, H.Whitford 28

Emergencies: S.Layton 1, J.Membrey 31

In: N.Hildebrand, S.Alexander, M.Shevlin, H.Whitford
Out: L.Butler, E.Fowler, S.Layton, E.Grant (injured)
Debutants: Maddie Shevlin, Nicole Hildebrand

Collingwood News Collingwood midfielder, Maddie Shevlin will make her AFLW debut when the Pies take on the Dockers in Perth this Saturday. Having been delisted by Melbourne as a rookie early last year, Shevlin had an impressive VFLW season, which saw her awarded the team’s best and fairest. Nicole Hildebrand will also put on the black and white for her first AFLW match since departing Brisbane last season. Whilst Sophie Alexander will re-join the side, Pies’ vice-captain Emma Grant has been ruled out with an injury to her left shoulder sustained in last week’s match.

Roar Fremantle take on the winless Collingwood in the west. The Dockers have kicked the highest score of the round for two weekends straight. They couldn’t have been more impressive in their upset win over the Brisbane Lions last round, and they’ll start favourites to make it three from three when they face a Collingwood side which, despite a star-studded playing list, has underachieved in their two completed seasons. In the first professional Australian Rules football match to be played at Victoria Park since 1999, the Pies failed to kick a goal for three quarters and just avoided the embarrassment of going through a whole match without kicking a major when Sarah Dargan scored with less than five minutes remaining in the final quarter. Their score of 1.3 (9) is the equal-lowest in any AFL Women’s match, matched by the GWS Giants, who could only muster that match against Carlton last year. The trip to Perth is the last thing they would want as they attempt to break their season duck behind enemy lines, and with the Dockers on a roll at the moment, I can’t see the Pies breaking through this weekend. Prediction: Fremantle by 14 points.

AFLW 2019 Round 2: Melbourne 26 Collingwood 9

AFLW 2019 Round 3 COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE Time & Place: Saturday 16th February, 7:15pm EDT Femantle Oval TV: 7mate 7.00pm EDT Weather: Min 18 Max 25 Chance of rain 5%: < 1mm Wind: SSW 26kph Betting: Collingwood TBC Femantle TBC

MELBOURNE         0.2.2   2.4.16    2.5.17   3.8.26
COLLINGWOOD    0.2.2     0.2.2      0.2.2     1.3.9

GOALS - Collingwood: Dargan

BEST - Collingwood: Brazill, McIntosh, Rowe

INJURIES - Collingwood: Emma Grant (shoulder)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 7228 at Victoria Park

What The Pies Coach Said "We're a young team learning and as long as we see some progression each week that we're learning. The ladder for us is irrelevant because if we get what we're doing right and keep improving, then the results will take care of themselves" – Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman

Media Clippings Collingwood News Melbourne spoiled Collingwood's homecoming with a dominant display in a lopsided contest at Victoria Park on Saturday afternoon. The Demons controlled the play virtually from ruck Lauren Pearce's first hitout ... To compound the Magpies' party woes, the traditional rivals condemned them to their lowest score, the previous worst being 1.5 (11) against Carlton in the opening game of the inaugural 2017 season. It also equalled the competition's most meagre total, the Pies now sharing that dubious honour with Greater Western Sydney. The crowd was stunned into silence as Collingwood didn't score for two quarters until Sarah Dargan gave them something to cheer by kicking the first goal off the ground midway through the last term. The Age Collingwood narrowly escaped the ignominy of being the first AFLW team to go through a game goalless when Sarah Dargan soccered their first goal at the 11-minute mark of the last quarter. However it was not enough for the Pies to threaten the Demons who thumped them from start to finish ... The Magpies score equalled the lowest score in AFLW history, a mark Greater Western Sydney previously held on their own ... At half-time the Pies had just four of the 16 top possession winners in the game and they were getting obliterated by most other statistical measures too. . The Roar It was a one-women show for the Pies, with Ash Brazill everywhere around the ground, racking up 23 disposals, three tackles, an unsuccessful snap at goal and evening going into the ruck at one point. Steph Chiocci (11 disposals, 5 tackles) tried her best to get things going for her side, while Sarah D’Arcy was influential in her eight disposals taking the game on through half forward. Sarah Dargan scored the Pies’ only goal, it came late in the fourth quarter, but won’t mask the otherwise dull performance by Collingwood. Fox Sports Melbourne has spoiled Collingwood’s homecoming on Saturday. Two decades after the Magpies played their final AFL game at Victoria Park, they played their first AFLW game at their spiritual home. But they were rarely in the game... With gale force winds swirling around Collingwood and Abbotsford, it was far from ideal conditions for football, but Melbourne adjusted to the conditions better than the Magpies. The Herald Sun Collingwood’s happy homecoming became a house of horrors on Saturday after the Pies were held to the equal-lowest score in AFLW history. Returning to Victoria Park for the competition’s historic debut match, Collingwood made some unwelcome history in a 3.8 (26) to 1.3 (9) loss to Melbourne. The Pies’ final score tied the lowest score mark set by Greater Western Sydney in a game in which they were brushed aside by the Demons. Collingwood’s only goal came with four minutes left when Sarah Dargan soccered one through from the goalsquare, sparing the Pies from becoming the only AFLW side to finish a game goalless.

AFLW 2019 Round 2: The Team

AFLW 2019 Round 2 COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE Time & Place: Saturday 9th February, 4:45pm EDT Victoria Park TV: 7mate / Fox Footy 4:30pm EDT Weather: Min 15 Max 21 Chance of rain 70%: < 1mm Wind: WSW 22kph Betting: Collingwood $2.45 Melbourne $1.55

Backs: Jordyn Allen, Ash Brazill, Iilish Ross

Half-backs: Stacey Livingstone, Sophie Casey, Emma Grant

Centre: Eliza Hynes

Half-forwards: Georgia Gourlay, Sarah D’Arcy, Katie Lynch                 

Forwards: Sarah Rowe, Mikala Cann, Cecilia McIntosh

Rucks: Sharni Layton, Stephanie Chiocci, Jaimee Lambert

Interchange: Ruby Schleicher, Lauren Butler, Sarah Dargan, Brittany Bonnici, Erica Fowler.

Emergencies: Holly Whitford, Maddie Shevlin

Ins: Katie Lynch, Eliza Hynes
Outs: Kristy Stratton, Sophie Alexander
Debutant: Katie Lynch

Collingwood News Draftee Katie Lynch will play her first official AFLW game when Collingwood hosts Melbourne at Victoria Park on Saturday. The highly-rated forward was selected by the Pies with pick 11 at the 2018 AFLW draft and impressed in the practice match against the Bulldogs last month. Eliza Hynes will also take to the field for the first time in 2019. As the Pies will be without Kristy Stratton and Sophie Alexander, youngsters Georgia Gourlay and Mikala Cann will move into the forward line.

Roar Katie Lynch (left) with fellow 2018 draftee Jordyn Allen Two first-up losers from round one will be desperate to get on the board when Collingwood and Melbourne face off in what will be the first professional Australian rules football match to be played at Victoria Park for two decades. The last such match played at the venue saw the Collingwood men’s team lose to the Brisbane Lions by 42 points, a result which saw them finish on the bottom of the ladder for just the second time in their history. This Saturday night, their women’s team will be out to avoid the same fate when they face a Melbourne side which wasted a 14-point three-quarter-time lead to lose by four points. The Dees had kicked five goals in a row in the third quarter with the aid of a strong breeze, but, even at this early point in the season, suffered yet another narrow loss which could cruel their chances of reaching the finals, which has been revamped to include preliminary finals for the first time. Further souring their defeat was the knee injury suffered by debutant Shae Sloane (sister of Adelaide Crows co-captain Rory Sloane), which has ruled her out for the season. Meantime, the Pies are coming off a rather frustrating one-point loss to the Geelong Cats, which means they have never won a round one clash since the inaugural season. Things had started brightly for Wayne Siekman’s side, with Sophie Alexander kicking the first goal of the match only to see her day ended when she copped a stray forearm from teammate (and former netballer Sharni Layton) later on. Despite their best efforts, the Pies were then left to rue a scoreless final term, which has already put their season on the back foot. In the end, this contest will come down to whichever side is the more desperate and more willing. Prediction: Collingwood by six points.

AFLW 2019 Round 1: Geelong 24 Collingwood 23

AFLW 2019 Round 2 COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE Time & Place: Saturday 9th February, 4:45pm EDT Victoria Park TV: 7mate 4.00pm EDT Weather: Min 14 Max 22 Chance of rain 80%: < 1mm Wind: WSW 18kph Betting: Collingwood TBC Melbourne TBC

GEELONG                 1.2.8    3.2.20    3.4.22    3.6.24
COLLINGWOOD       1.3.9     1.3.9     3.5.23    3.5.23

GOALS - Collingwood: Alexander, D'Arcy, Lambert

BEST - Collingwood: Lambert, Brazill, Bonnici, Alexander, Grant

INJURIES - Collingwood: Alexander (concussion), Lambert (right ankle)

REPORTS - Collingwood: Nil

OFFICIAL CROWD - 18,429 at Kardinia

What The Pies Coach Said "The last 60 seconds of the last quarter, and the whole second quarter (was where the game was lost). I thought the first 15 to 16 minutes of the first quarter we were completely on top, completely dominated the opposition. It just shows the importance of kicking goals and kicking straight. The biggest thing is we lost the contest by minus 22 in contested possession." – Collingwood coach Wayne Siekman

Media Clippings Collingwood News The match was on tenterhooks for the final few minutes after Morrison missed a set shot, but the Cats prevailed to win 3.6 (24) to 3.5 (23) at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night. It means the Pies are yet to win a first-round match, after losing both season-openers to Carlton in 2017 and 2018. Sophie Alexander was a revelation up forward for Collingwood. Promoted from the club's VFLW team, the 25-year-old kicked the opening goal of the match, a 45-metre set shot. She also kicked two behinds in the opening term. But Alexander's night ended early after a collision with teammate Sharni Layton when a stray arm collected her in the head. She was taken from the ground on a stretcher and later diagnosed with concussion, but was alert and talking in the rooms. Collingwood missed the target she presented up forward, with a scoreless last term. The Age Jaimee Lambert’s third-quarter goal for Collingwood came only a few minutes after she had appeared to suffer a bad knee injury in a heavy collision. But not only did she come back on the ground, Lambert hit up Sarah D’Arcy with a short pass, ran on for the give-and-go play, and from 40 metres out under extreme pressure, threaded through a Daicosian dribbler. It put the Magpies back in front in what was a titanic struggle all night. The Roar Collingwood looked like they were in serious trouble at the start of the third quarter when Sophie Alexander went off the ground not to be seen again with a possible concussion. But just when we were questioning where they’d find goals from, Sarah D’Arcy jumped up and put through their second. D’Arcy then just a few minutes later passed one off to Jaimee Lambert, who scrubbed through a miracle goal along the ground which was the highlight of the match. That was particularly remarkable as Lambert herself had been off the ground with concerns over her ankle just minutes prior. The Magpies lead the match by a single point at the final change, and a disappointing miss by Geelong’s Jordan Ivy early in the final term left scores level. While there wasn’t a goal in the final term, it was a tight and thrilling tussle that went down to the final seconds as Morrison’s poster and Geelong’s determined defence ultimately thwarted Collingwood’s attempts to snatch the win. The Guardian Geelong’s defence put on a good show, while it was Collingwood’s forwards that kept them in control for much of the game. But despite a last-minute attempt at goal, the Pies couldn’t bring it home. They’ll be especially disappointed as it means for the third consecutive year, they’ve failed to win their round one match. The West Australian Collingwood player Sophie Alexander was taken from the field with a suspected concussion after an ugly collision with teammate Sharni Layton in Saturday’s AFLW season opener. The Magpies pair were competing in a marking contest when Layton’s arm and shoulder made contact with Alexander’s head. Alexander hit the ground hard and was worked on by medical staff for several minutes.

AFLW 2019 Round 1: The Team

AFLW 2019 Round 1 COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG Time & Place: Saturday 2nd February, 6:45pm EDT Kardinia Park, Geelong TV: 7mate 6.30pm EDT Weather: Min 15 Max 34 Chance of rain 10%: < 1mm Wind: ENE 15kph Betting: Collingwood $1.70 Geelong $2.16

Backs: Jordyn Allen, Ash Braill, Iilish Ross

Half-backs: Stacey Livingstone, Sophie Casey, Emma Grant

Centre: Brittany Bonnici

Half-forwards: Lauren Butler, Sarah D’Arcy, Mikala Cann

Forwards: Sarah Rowe, Sophie Alexander, Cecilia McIntosh

Rucks: Sharni Layton, Stephanie Chiocci, Jaimee Lambert

Interchange: Ruby Schleicher, Georgia Gourlay, Sarah Dargan, Kristy Stratton, Erica Fowler

Emergencies: Holly Whitford, Katie Lynch

Debutants: Sharni Layton (1), Jordyn Allen (6), Sarah Rowe (7), Erica Fowler (15) Lauren Bulter (23), Sophie Alexander (24),  Mikala Cann (25), Georgia Gourlay (32)

Collingwood News Dreams will become a reality for eight Collingwood players who will make their AFL Women’s debuts in Saturday night’s historic match against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium. Gaelic footballer Sarah Rowe, who has impressed throughout the pre-season program and was the team’s leading goal kicker in the recent practice match against the Bulldogs, is among the new players. Rowe has been named in a forward pocket. Former Australian netballer Sharni Layton has been named in the ruck. Collingwood's first draft pick, Jordyn Allen, who was captain of the 2018 under-18 women’s Vic Country side, will line up in a back pocket.

Roar The season kicks off on Saturday night with one of the two new clubs, the Geelong Cats, hosting Collingwood in what promises to be a genuine blockbuster at Kardinia Park. The Cats built their playing list by recruiting several of Melbourne’s best – Richelle Cranston, Erin Hoare, Anna Teague and Melissa Hickey, who has been named the club’s captain – while they also drafted most of their players locally as well. Cranston will, however, be missing from their Round 1 line-up after being suspended for two matches for a careless tackle on Carlton’s Sarah Hosking during a recent practice match, which the Cats won by two points. They’ll also be without Elise Coventry for the whole season after she suffered a season-ending knee injury before quarter-time in the same practice match. The former netballer played 55 games for the Cats in the VFL before being drafted with pick 55 in last year’s draft. Meantime, the Pies will be keen to move forward after a disappointing first two seasons in which they finished fifth and sixth respectively. They have lost Moana Hope and Christina Bernardi to North Melbourne and the GWS Giants respectively, while Chloe Molloy will work with the coaching staff after she suffered a serious foot injury last September which has ruled her out for the whole 2019 season. Steph Chiocci will again lead the side as they attempt to climb up the ladder, and facing the Cats on their home turf is a challenge they will welcome. Spurred on by the home-ground advantage and a potentially curious crowd, the Cats should begin life in AFL Women’s with a win. Prediction: Geelong Cats by 14 points.

Collingwood Squad

LARGE IMAGE

AFLW 2019: Club By Club Guide And Predictions

The Age - Daniel Cherny

AFLW 2019 Round 1 COLLINGWOOD v GEELONG Time & Place: Saturday 2nd February, 6:45pm EDT Kardinia Park, Geelong TV: 7mate 6.30pm EDT Weather: Min 14 Max 32 Chance of rain 5%: < 1mm Wind: E 16kph Betting: Collingwood $1.64 Geelong $2.27

The national women’s competition is back for a third season, and the league has a different look. After the success of the first season in 2017, AFL clubs clambered for spots in an expanded competition. Geelong and North Melbourne were the successful bidders, coming into the league this year, with St Kilda, Richmond, Gold Coast and West Coast to join in 2020.
The increase from eight teams to 10 teams has brought with it the introduction of a controversial conference system.

The 10 sides have been split into two pools, with each club still playing seven matches across the home-and-away season. Teams face the other four sides in their conference, as well as playing three cross-conference games, meaning not all clubs play each other during the year.

The top two teams from each conference qualify for preliminary finals, with the prelim winners playing off the following weekend for the premiership.
Most of the rule changes being introduced to the men’s competition this year – including starting positions at centre bounces – have also been brought into AFLW, while a handful of AFLW specific rule changes, notably that boundary throw-ins will be 10 metres inside the boundary line, have also been made.
Let’s take a look at how the 10 clubs shape up ahead of the opening round, which begins next Saturday night in Geelong.

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Conference A

Adelaide
Co-captains: Erin Phillips and Chelsea Randall
Coach: Matthew Clarke
Squad: Sarah Allan, Ailish Considine (rookie), Dayna Cox, Courtney Cramey, Angela Foley, Jessica Foley, Renee Forth, Nikki Gore, Anne Hatchard, Jasmyn Hewett, Eloise Jones, Sophie Li, Rheanne Lugg, Ebony Marinoff, Hannah Martin, Jenna McCormick, Rhiannon Metcalfe, Justine Mules, Maisie Nankivell (rookie), Sarah Perkins, Erin Phillips, Danielle Ponter, Marijana Rajcic, Chelsea Randall, Sally Riley, Katelyn Rosenzweig, Chloe Scheer, Jess Sedunary, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Deni Varnhagen

Back and firing: Erin Phillips.
Credit: AAP

Key player: Erin Phillips
Far and away the standout player of season one, Philips’ influence was curbed last year by a quad injury but fit and firing ahead of the 2019 campaign, expect the dynamic Adelaide co-captain to yet again be a force to be reckoned with.

How they went last year: Fifth (3-3-1)
The Crows were still a fighting chance to make the grand final until the last day of the home and away season but, with Phillips banged up, they were unable to generate the momentum of season one.
Prediction: Preliminary finalists
Hurt by the loss of ruck Rhiannon Metcalfe to a season-ending knee injury sustained in last weekend’s practice match win over Fremantle, but there is plenty of talent on this list, and the Crows would be buoyed by the practice match form of forward Chloe Scheer, who could be vital addition this year.

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Fremantle

Captain: Kara Donnellan
Coach: Trent Cooper
Squad: Ebony Antonio, Ashlee Atkins, Kiara Bowers, Tayla Bresland, Stephanie Cain, Mel Caulfield, Cassie Davidson, Kara Donnellan, Ebony Dowson, Sabreena Duffy, Kellie Gibson, Evie Gooch, Katie-Jayne Grieve, Dana Hooker, Gemma Houghton, Alicia Janz, Parris Laurie, Leah Mascall, Tayla McAuliffe, Hayley Miller, Brianna Moyes (rookie), Gabby O’Sullivan, Laura Pugh, Matilda Sergeant, Philipa Seth, Matilda Sergeant, Ashley Sharp, Angelique Stannett (rookie), Jasmin Stewart, Courtney Stubbs, Alex Williams

Versatile and consistent: Ebony Antonio.
Credit: AAP

Key player: Ebony Antonio
The versatile former basketballer has been one of the Dockers’ most consistent players across the first two seasons of AFLW and was a deserved winner of the club’s best and fairest award last year.
How they went last year: Seventh (3-4)

Fremantle had their moments, including a narrow win over premiership fancies Melbourne in round three, but overall it was another disappointing campaign for the Dockers, whose inaugural coach Michelle Cowan parted ways with the club at the end of the season.
Prediction: Fifth in conference
It’s hard to be all that optimistic about Fremantle, who are hamstrung by a relative lack of depth in Western Australia, and the fact they haven’t been able to retain some of the state’s most promising talent. Excitingly however first-year marquee player Kiara Bowers is finally ready to play after missing the first two seasons of AFLW through injury.

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Melbourne

Co-captains: Elise O’Dea and Shelley Scott
Coach: Mick Stinear
Squad: Madeline Brancatisano, Harriet Cordner, Tegan Cunningham, Meg Downie, Chantel Emonson (rookie), Madison Gay, Madeleine Guerin, Ashleigh Guest, Tyla Hanks, Shelley Heath, Jordann Hickey, Kate Hore, Bianca Jakobsson, Ainslie Kemp, Sarah Lampard, Lily Mithen, Aliesha Newman, Elise O’Dea, Brooke Patterson, Karen Paxman, Lauren Pearce, Catherine Phillips, Talia Radan, Shelley Scott, Casey Sherriff, Shae Sloane (rookie), Katherine Smith, Claudia Whitfort, Ashleigh Woodland, Eden Zanker

The Demons will be looking to Karen Paxman 

for depth and experience.
Credit: Wayne Ludbey

Key player: Karen Paxman
The veteran half-back/midfielder has been one of Melbourne’s standouts in the first couple of seasons, and she will need to stand up in the absence of Mel Hickey and Daisy Pearce.
How they went last year: Third (4-3)
For the second year running it was a case of so close yet so far for the Demons, who look brilliant at times but rued a costly loss to Collingwood in Alice Springs before narrowly going down to the Western Bulldogs in what was effectively a preliminary final in the last round of the season.

Prediction: Fourth in conference
Melbourne’s depth will be tested this season with inaugural skipper Pearce missing the campaign because of pregnancy, and Hickey defecting to Geelong. There are still plenty of quality players on the list but this looms as a tough conference.

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North Melbourne

Captain: Emma Kearney
Coach: Scott Gowans
Squad: Sophie Abbatangelo, Kaitlyn Ashmore, Daria Bannister, Daisy Bateman, Nicole Bresnehan, Jenna Bruton, Alison Drennan, Jess Duffin, Jasmine Garner, Brittany Gibson, Katherine Gillespie-Jones, Jasmine Grierson, Chloe Haines, Libby Haines, Danielle Hardiman, Moana Hope, Emma Humphries, Emma Kearney, Elisha King, Emma King, Beth Lynch (rookie), Taylor Mesiti, Courteney Munn, Georgia Nanscawen, Tahlia Randall, Ash Riddell, Jamie Stanton, Maddison Smith, Jess Trend, Jessie Williams (rookie)

Roo coup: Reigning AFLW 

best and fairest Emma Kearney.
Credit: Eddie Jim

Key player: Emma Kearney
The reigning AFLW best and fairest was the biggest of North’s signings, and with good reason. The midfielder was in impeccable touch last season, helping take the Western Bulldogs to the premiership, and having given up cricket says she is the fittest she has been for a while.
Prediction: Grand finalists

Much like North Melbourne did in the VFL in the early 1970s, the Roos launched an aggressive hunt to land some of the best AFLW talent around, ruffling some feathers in the process. The result is a stacked list, one that looks capable of challenging for a premiership in the club’s first season.

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Western Bulldogs

Co-captains: Ellie Blackburn and Katie Brennan
Coach: Paul Groves
Squad: Kate Bartlett, Deanna Berry, Libby Birch, Ellie Blackburn, Tessa Boyd (rookie), Katie Brennan, Eleanor Brown, Nicole Callinan, Monique Conti, Jessie Davies, Tiarna Ernst, Naomi Ferres, Ellyse Gamble, Angelica Gogos, Bailey Hunt, Isabel Huntington, Selena Karlson, Kirsty Lamb, Brooke Lochland, Emma Mackie, Aisling McCarthy, Kirsten McLeod, Celine Moody (rookie), Kim Rennie, Hannah Scott, Belinda Smith, Lauren Spark, Bonnie Toogood, Aisling Utri, Hayley Wildes

Ellie Blackburn will be called on to help 

cover key losses to the Bulldogs' lineup.
Credit: Adam Trafford/AFL Media

Key player: Ellie Blackburn
Blackburn captained the Bulldogs to the 2018 premiership with Brennan sidelined through suspension. Half-forward/midfielder Blackburn has been one of the Dogs’ best across the first two seasons, and is likely to be called on to spend more time in the midfield this year to help cover the loss of Kearney and Jenna Bruton.
How they went last year: Premiers (5-2 then beat Brisbane in grand final)
The Dogs started the season brightly and were in the box seat for a grand final spot all the way, but still needed to beat the Demons in a thrilling final-round clash before clinching their spot. Despite a dramatic grand final week in which Brennan failed to avoid suspension, the Dogs edged the Lions in a wet decider to claim their first AFLW flag.
Prediction: Third in conference
The Dogs’ depth was a key to their premiership last year, with lesser lights regularly bobbing up to play important roles. They will again need the second tier to come to the fore, with Kearney having departed and leading goalkicker Brooke Lochland set to miss most if not all of the season with a fractured leg. In better news 2017’s No. 1 draft pick Isabel Huntington avoided a third knee reconstruction following a scare late last year, but is still unlikely to play until the back half of the campaign.

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Conference B

Brisbane Lions
Captain: Leah Kaslar
Coach: Craig Starcevich
Squad: Ally Anderson, Lauren Arnell, Bella Ayre, Emily Bates, Lauren Bella, Ruby Blair, Shannon Campbell, Arianna Clarke, Gabby Collingwood, McKenzie Dowrick, Jade Ellenger, Nat Exon, Sabrina Frederick-Traub, Natalie Grider, Tori Groves-Little, Megan Hunt, Leah Kaslar, Jessy Keeffe, Breanna Koenen, Kate Lutkins, Kate McCarthy, Brianna McFarlane (rookie), Paige Parker, Emma Pittman, Krystal Scott (rookie), Jesse Tawhiao-Wardlaw, Sam Virgo, Sharni Webb, Jessica Wuetschner, Jacqui Yorsten, Jordan Zanchetta, Emma Zielke

On the hunt: Key Lions defender Kate Lutkins.
Credit: AAP

Key player: Kate Lutkins
The defender was one of the most improved players in the competition last season and arguably stiff not to have won the medal for best afield in the grand final, having regularly thwarted Bulldogs’ attacking forays.
How they went last year: (Runners-up, 4-3 then lost grand final to Bulldogs)

Not even the loss of Tayla Harris to Carlton could stop the Lions, who for the second straight year defied expectations to make the grand final. Yet again they were defeated in a thriller, and in a parallel universe they are vying for a third straight premiership.
Prediction: Fourth in conference
The Lions were one of the biggest victims of North’s recruiting raid, losing several players including important midfielder Kaitlyn Ashmore. Still much of last year’s grand final side remains, and the Lions have also gained the services of former Carlton skipper Lauren Arnell, who provides plenty of experience.

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Carlton

Captain: Brianna Davey
Coach: Daniel Harford
Squad: Shae Audley, Amelia Barden, Kirby Bentley, Lauren Brazzale, Chloe Dalton (rookie), Brianna Davey, Alison Downie, Jess Edwards, Georgia Gee, Kerryn Harrington, Tayla Harris, Reni Hicks, Jess Hosking, Sarah Hosking, Bridie Kennedy, Katie Loynes, Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Abbie McKay, Breann Moody, Natalie Plane, Gabriella Pound, Madison Prespakis, Nicola Stevens, Jayde Van Dyk, Darcy Vescio, Brooke Walker (rookie), Rhiannon Watt, Courtney Webb, Charlotte Wilson, Emerson Woods

Back from injury: Brianna Davey.
Credit: Michael Willson/AFL Media

Key player: Brianna Davey
Carlton’s promising season fell apart almost from the moment Davey went down with a serious knee injury in the round two win over Greater Western Sydney. The good news is the former Matildas goalkeeper is back, and ready to make a splash in a new role up forward, having kicked four goals in a practice match win over Geelong.

How they went last year: Eighth (2-5)
There were early wins over Collingwood and the Giants but things quickly turned pear-shaped for the Blues last season. Davey’s serious knee injury coincided with a health issue experienced by coach Damien Keeping, and Carlton couldn’t turn the corner, losing their last five games to collect the wooden spoon, with Keeping leaving shortly after the end of the season.
Prediction: Preliminary finalists
Hope springs eternal, and with new coach Harford - the former Hawthorn and Carlton player and media veteran - at the helm, the Blues loom as one of the most intriguing sides in the competition. If Davey, Harris and Darcy Vescio can all fire, the Blues should have the most potent forward line in the competition.

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Collingwood

Captain: Steph Chiocci
Coach: Wayne Siekman
Squad: Sophie Alexander, Jordyn Allen, Brittany Bonnici, Ash Brazil, Lauren Butler, Mikala Cann, Sophie Casey, Steph Chiocci, Sarah D’Arcy, Sarah Dargan, Erica Fowler, Georgia Gourlay, Emma Grant, Darcy Guttridge, Nicole Hildebrand, Eliza Hynes, Melissa Kuys, Jaimee Lambert, Sharni Layton (rookie), Stacey Livingstone, Katie Lynch, Jordan Membrey, Cecilia McIntosh, Georgie Parker, Iilish Ross, Sarah Rowe (rookie), Ruby Schleicher, Maddie Shevlin, Kristy Stratton, Holly Whitford

Eyes on the prize: Pie Steph Chiocci.
Credit: AAP

Key player: Steph Chiocci
With Chloe Molloy out for the season, and several key players having departed during the off-season, the skipper is likely to again need to shoulder much of the responsibility across half-back and the midfield.
How they went last year: Sixth (3-4)
For the second year running, the Pies started the season slowly and were effectively out of the finals race by the midway point of the campaign. But yet again they finished the year well, giving hope to a bright future. Siekman’s job appeared shaky at times but the club has stood by him while restructuring the support around him.

Prediction: Fifth in conference
The Pies have plenty of promising kids, but they face an uphill task to make the finals having lost a host of players including Jasmine Garner, Emma King, Christian Bernardi, Mo Hope and Jess Duffin. The biggest setback of all was the loss of star young defender Molloy to a season-ending foot injury. The good news is that by all reports the squad is much happier, with underlying cultural issues having been addressed.

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Geelong

Captain: Melissa Hickey
Coach: Paul Hood
Squad: Cassie Blakeway, Maddie Boyd, Hannah Burchall, Rene Caris, Georgia Clarke, Mia-Rae Clifford, Elise Coventry, Richelle Cranston, Julia Crockett-Grills, Kate Darby, Maighan Fogas, Renee Garing, Bec Goring, Mel Hickey, Erin Hoare, Jordan Ivey, Madeline Keryk, Meg McDonald, Maddie McMahon (rookie), Phoebe McWilliams, Nina Morrison, Aasta O’Connor, Daniele Orr, Olivia Purcell, Georgia Rankin (rookie), Denby Taylor, Anna Teague, Hayley Trevean, Sophie Van De Heuvel, Rebecca Webster

Rivals last year, Phoebe McWilliams and Erin Hoare

have both sign for Geelong.
Credit: AAP

Key player: Phoebe McWilliams
The Victorian veteran had an impressive year at Greater Western Sydney and won a premiership with Hawthorn in VFLW too. The tall forward enters the 2019 season on the back of a commanding four-goal haul against Carlton in a practice match last weekend.

Prediction: Third in conference
In contrast to expansion sisters North Melbourne, the Cats opted for a more youth-oriented approach to their list build, focusing on local talent as well as a handful of ready-made AFLW performers. On paper they don’t look as imposing as North, but if the likes of No. 1 draft pick Nina Morrison hit their straps early, the Cats could be a handful.

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Greater Western Sydney

Captain: Amanda Farrugia
Coach: Alan McConnell
Squad: Jacinda Barclay, Nicola Barr, Rebecca Beeson, Elle Bennetts, Christina Bernardi, Yvonne Bonner (rookie), Ellie Brush, Maddy Collier, Jess Dal Pos, Taylah Davies (rookie), Alicia Eva, Amanda Farrugia, Delma Gisu, Courtney Gum, Tanya Hetherington, Jodie Hicks, Tait Mackrill, Erin McKinnon, Phoebe Monahan, Ingrid Nielsen, Ebony O’Dea, Alyce Parker, Brittany Perry, Pepa Randall, Aimee Schmidt, Cora Staunton, Louise Stephenson, Emma Swanson, Renee Tomkins, Lisa Whiteley, Haneen Zreika

Standing tall: Young ruck Erin McKinnon 

shines for GWS.
Credit: Mark Nolan

Key player: Erin McKinnon
The young ruck stood tall in 2018, earning All-Australian selection at just 19. With outstanding tap work, McKinnon could be a star of the women’s game for the next decade.

How they went last year: Fourth (3-3-1)
Unfancied at the start of the year, the Giants overcame a slow start to their campaign to be in the frame for a grand final spot before a heavy final-round defeat to the Lions. South Australian veteran Courtney Gum was a revelation in the midfield, while backed by former Fitzroy caretaker coach McConnell, GWS became somewhat of a Cinderella story, playing a vibrant brand of football.

Prediction: Premiers

The Giants issued a warning to the competition by thrashing the Lions in a practice game last weekend. Despite the loss of McWilliams they still have plenty of firepower up forward, with Irish star Cora Staunton set to have a big impact. In draftee Alyce Parker, the Giants also look to have obtained one of the competition’s most promising youngsters.