AFLW 2021: All the news and reaction ahead of the Round 9 battle for finals spots

It all comes down to this.

After eight whirlwind AFLW rounds, there are still nine teams who can make the finals.

But this is their last chance.

Will there be a miracle?

LIZ WALSH predicts the ladder finish after Round 9.

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Brisbane are favoured to top the AFLW table. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

THE RUN HOME

1. BRISBANE

Played 8, 28 points, 218.5 per cent

TO COME:

R9: Melbourne, Casey Fields, Sat March 27 (W)

WE SAY: Brisbane’s sensational season continued with a 15-point win over North Melbourne in Round 8, which has put them on top of the ladder, but only just: they are holding down top spot over Collingwood with the slimmest of margins. Brisbane now face the Demons – who are running high after back-to-back wins against premiership contenders Adelaide and Fremantle – and Brisbane will look at this as a danger game. If the Lions prevail at Casey Fields (and the Magpies lose to the Crows in Adelaide), then the Lions will claim their second minor premiership in five seasons.

PREDICTED FINISH: 1st (8 wins, 1 loss)

2. COLLINGWOOD:

Played 8, 28 points 217 per cent

TO COME:

R9: Adelaide, Norwood Oval, Sun March 28 (L)

WE SAY: Been an incredible season for the Magpies under coach Steve Symonds in his second year in charge, and the Magpies responded to their loss against the Lions in Round 7, by resoundingly beating the Saints by 46 points and giving them a healthy percentage boost.

Collingwood now head out on the road for the first time in 2021, to face Adelaide at Norwood Oval: how will they handle the travel? The Crows will likely go into that Round 9 clash as favourites. But do not discount. Should Adelaide win, percentage will be crucial in determining their finishing position. If Collingwood prevail, they will have sewn up a Top 2 spot. It’s now up to them to get the job done.

PREDICTED FINISH: 2nd (7 wins, 2 losses)

How will Jaimee Lambert and the Pies finish the season? Picture: AFL Photos/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Crows forward Chloe Scheer kicked three goals in her side’s win in Round 8. Picture: AFL Photos/Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

3. ADELAIDE

Played 8, 24 points, 210.7 per cent

TO COME:

R9: Collingwood, Norwood Oval, Sun March 28 (W)

WE SAY: After a poor 28-point loss to Melbourne in Round 7, Adelaide well and truly put that behind them with a convincing 56-point win over the Bulldogs at home, which lifted their percentage by almost 20 points. That percentage will come in vital if they are to power any further up the ladder. With Melbourne beating the highly-favoured Fremantle in Perth on Sunday, it means Adelaide are well and truly in the hunt for a top-two finish if they can beat Collingwood on Sunday by enough to lift their percentage over the Magpies. The Crows’ destiny is in their own hands.

PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd (7 wins, 2 losses)

4. FREMANTLE

Played 8, 24 points, 200.6 per cent

TO COME:

R9: North Melbourne, Arden St Oval, Sat March 27 (W)

WE SAY: Dropped from first to fourth after unexpectedly losing to Melbourne by five points in a low-scoring affair at Fremantle Oval.

Freo were undefeated in the 2020 season before COVID shut the league and 2021 has always been about unfinished business. But if they are to jump up into the Top 2 again, they’ll need a big win over the Kangaroos who will be playing at home at Arden St. Regardless of the Dockers’ Round 8 loss, they enter finals in strong form with star midfielder Kiara Bowers still considered the best player in the league this season. But they will rue that loss to the Demons, because it all likelihood it has cost them a top-two spot and automatic qualification into the preliminary final.

PREDICTED FINISH: 4th (7 wins, 2 losses)

Freo star Gemma Houghton has the Dockers cooking. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Demon Brenna Tarrant gets a handball away under pressure. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

5. MELBOURNE

Played 8, 24 points, 133.9 per cent

TO COME:

R9: Brisbane, Casey Fields, Sat March 27 (L)

WE SAY: The Demons backed up their magnificent win over Adelaide in Round 7 by unexpectedly beating Fremantle in Perth in a five-point thriller. That win has secured them their first-ever finals berth in five seasons. Unlike the four teams above them on the ladder, the Demons can’t challenge for a Top 2 spot even if they beat the Lions due to their inferior percentage, but win or lose against Brisbane on Saturday, they head into finals riding high on both confidence and pride in their style of play.

PREDICTED FINISH: 5th (6 wins, 3 losses)

6. NORTH MELBOURNE

Played 8, 20 points, 147.3 per cent

TO COME:

R9: Fremantle, Arden St Oval, Sat March 27 (L)

WE SAY: The Kangaroos had their three-game winning streak ended at the hands of the Lions and their next assignment is no easier as they face Fremantle at home – who will be looking to avenge their five-point loss to Melbourne. Should the Kangaroos prevail, they will lock in their finals appearance. But their percentage leaves them vulnerable to a late Carlton surge and if they lose to the Dockers, the side will be nervously watching the Blues/Giants clash on Sunday.

PREDICTED FINISH: 6th (5 wins, 4 losses)

Kangaroo Nicole Bresnehan puts pressure on Lion Sophie Conway. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

7. CARLTON

Played 8, 16 points, 128.1 per cent

TO COME:

R9: GWS, venue still to be confirmed, Sun March 28 (W)

WE SAY: At the start of the season, the Blues were widely tipped not only to be finalists but to be 2021’s ultimate champions, so the fact that their finals chances now hang on by a thread – and will rely on how other games play out – will be disappointing for the team. They set a new AFLW record for the highest-ever score (87) when they thrashed Gold Coast by 50 points on Friday night.

If they can win big again over the Giants and North lose to Freo, then it will all come down to percentage. It could mean a nailbiting finish to the AFLW season.

PREDICTED FINISH: 7th (5 wins, 4 losses)

The Blues celebrate their big win over Gold Coast. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

8. WESTERN BULLDOGS

Played 8, 16 points, 82.8 per cent

TO COME:

R9: Richmond, Whitten Oval, Fri March 26 (W)

WE SAY: Their season was effectively ended by the Crows when they lost by 56 points and their percentage suffered terrible. But miracles can happen …

They’ll be looking to finish off their season in good fashion – and snap a three-game losing streak – when they take on Richmond at Whitten Oval on Friday night. If they can win by enough in that game and then if North Melbourne is thrashed by Fremantle and the Giants upset Carlton, then they are still a finals chance.

PREDICTED FINISH: 8th (5 wins, 4 losses)

9. GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

Played 8, 16 points, 71.6 per cent

TO COME:

R9: Carlton, Blacktown International Sportspark, Sun March 28 (L)

WE SAY: This Giants team has been through more than other this season: the sad passing of much-loved teammate Jacinda Barclay, then needed to relocate to regional NSW then Adelaide to avoid COVID-19 clusters, then having to endure the loss of their star Irish recruit Brid Stack to a neck fracture in a practice game. Despite it all, the team has amassed four wins from their eight games so far. They didn’t beat Geelong by enough in Round 8 to give their percentage a big boost, which will likely lock them out of finals. But if they can beat Carlton at home and other results go their way, then luck might just be on their side.

PREDICTED FINISH: 9th (4 wins, 5 losses)

Originally published asAFLW run home: Brutal finish ahead for finals hopefuls

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