The Contenders
1st – Brisbane Lions (9 wins, 1 loss, 282.4%)
The Lions secured their third top four spot in a row, claiming the minor premiership after another dominant season. Last year’s premiers only lost one game, coming against Richmond in a tight match back in Round five. Led superbly by Breanna Koenen and with match-winners all over the field, including last season’s AFLW Best and Fairest, Emily Bates, they will be tough to stop this finals series. With a home-final in week one against Richmond, they look set to potentially go all the way again in season seven.
2nd – Melbourne (9 wins, 1 loss, 282.1%)
Although Melbourne is yet to claim a premiership cup in previous seasons, it looks very well placed to do so in 2022. The Dees also only lost one match, missing out on the minor premiership by just .3 percent.
They are a star-studded side, which includes gun on-ballers, Olivia Purcell, Tyla Hanks, Lily Mithen, and evergreen veteran, Karen Paxman. With these guns, some exciting goalkickers and a strong defence, the Dees will fancy themselves to claim the flag this year. With the heartbreak of falling short in last season’s grand final spurring them on, as well as superstar, Daisy Pearce’s imminent retirement, the Dees will want this more than ever and can cause some serious damage this AFLW Finals Series.
3rd – Adelaide (8 wins, 2 losses, 177.6%)
The three-time premiers were ever-reliable again this season. Despite losing star on-baller, Erin Phillips in the off-season, the Crows are again a strong force and look as well placed as anyone to take home the flag. Boasting the best midfield in the comp, headlined by Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff, as well as fantastic depth within their squad, Adelaide has been the best and most consistent team we have ever seen in the AFLW competition. In a blow for the club, superstar Chelsea Randall looks set to miss most, if not, all of the finals with an ankle injury. Their clash against the Dees looks a mouth-watering prospect, and a game that will have a huge bearing on the outcome of this season.
4th – Richmond (7 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 147.9%)
The Tigers have come from the clouds in 2022, previously winning just six games since entering the competition in 2020. After narrowly losing their first two games this season, to Geelong and Adelaide respectively, the Tigers caught fire, going on a seven-game winning streak before their draw with North Melbourne on the weekend. They will face a tough task in week one of the finals, coming up against Brisbane in Queensland. However, the girls from Punt Road will taking belief into the clash, being the only team to defeat the Lions this season. After securing the double chance, Richmond is capable of anything and will need stars like Monique Conti, Ellie McKenzie and captain, Katie Brennan to step up if they are to contend for the premiership.
SUPERSTAR: After an amazing season that could see her take home the AFLW Best and Fairest, Monique Conti will be looking to lead Richmond deep into this year’s finals series.
(AFL Photos)
5th – Geelong (7 wins, 3 losses, 173%)
Like Richmond, the Geelong Football Club has taken huge steps forward this season. Going from a team struggling to score last year, the Cats are now a genuine scoring threat. Led by Meg MacDonald, with Georgia Prespakis and Amy McDonald producing remarkable seasons, the Cats are a force to be reckoned with and shouldn’t be underestimated this finals series. With a healthy Nina Morrison for the first time in her career, and a much more attacking game-style, there is no ceiling on what Geelong can achieve in November. Having beaten strong sides like the Western Bulldogs and North Melbourne, they will be going in with confidence against the Roos in the first week of finals.
BAROMETER: At 24 years of age, Geelong superstar, Amy McDonald, has already won two club Best and Fairests, and will be vital in their quest to progress deep into the AFLW finals.
(AFL Photos)
6th – Collingwood (7 wins, 3 losses, 118.4%)
The Magpies are embarking on a third consecutive finals appearance. After finishing sixth last season with 14 teams, they have stepped up once again to narrowly miss out on the double chance. The Pies have done well this season, bouncing back from the disappointment of losing stars, Brianna Davey and Brit Bonicci (both to ACL injuries), in the previous season. The likes of Ruby Schleicher and Chloe Molloy have emerged as the future of this great club after outstanding seasons. The team has taken big scalps like Geelong and suffered a narrow loss to Adelaide, the Cats are a wildcard this finals series and will be very dangerous if they can string a few strong performances together this finals campaign.
7th – Western Bulldogs (7 wins, 3 losses, 109.8%)
The Bulldogs had another strong season, bouncing back from the disappointment of missing finals last season. Captain, Ellie Blackburn and teammate, Kirsty Lamb have again shouldered much of the load, with season ending injuries to Kirsten McLeod and Brit Gutknecht providing a huge blow to the club’s flag chances. When at their best, the Doggies have the potential to rip teams apart and are certainly capable of progressing deep into this series. Along with Collingwood and North Melbourne, the girls from the kennel will be looking to shake this season’s finals series in a big way, rounding out the first week of the AFLW finals with a blockbuster clash against Collingwood on Sunday afternoon.
8th – North Melbourne (6 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, 166.8%)
After starting the season slowly, the Roos went on a hot streak in the second half of the year, winning five of their last seven games. They were involved in a thriller to round out the home and away season, drawing with top four team and an emerging premiership threat, Richmond. Having some of the competition’s premier midfielders in Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell, along with Emma King providing first service, the Roos are a scary prospect in full flight. They will be hoping to regain inspirational captain, Emma Kearney, ahead of finals, who will be touch and go with a knee injury. Although North Melbourne secured the last spot in this year’s finals, their recent form is as good as any team, and they can clearly match it with the best on the big stage.
HEARTBEAT: The Kangaroos will be hoping to regain inspirational leader, Emma Kearney ahead of their Elimination Final against Geelong.
(AFL Photos)
Week 1 AFLW Finals Matchups
Friday, 4th November
Melbourne v Adelaide 7:10pm @Ikon Park
Saturday, 5th November
Brisbane v Richmond 4:10pm @Metricon Stadium
Geelong v North Melbourne 7.10pm @GMHBA Stadium
Sunday, 7th November
Collingwood v Western Bulldogs 3.10pm @Victoria Park
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