THURSDAY night under lights.
The season opener will return to IKON Park this Thursday night, with the Game Changers set to take on traditional rivals Collingwood in a blockbuster clash to kickstart the seventh season of AFLW.
The Blues capped off its pre-season with a final official hitout with the Demons in a historic double header on the hallowed turf of the MCG. The scoreboard may not have finished in their favour, but the Blues were able to iron out the kinks and trial a number of new combinations, with some promising signs for the season proper.
What to watch:
New Blues could be in action at IKON Park come Thursday night, with Phoebe McWilliams, Amelia Velardo, Keeley Skepper, Mia Austin and Jessica Jones all having a strong impact in the team's pre-season preparations.
Velardo will be eager to impress against her former side, likely playing an inside midfield role to support young guns Mimi Hill and Abbie McKay.
The forward combination between leading goalkicker Darcy Vescio and the former Cat in McWilliams will be key for the Game Changers, with the former set to play their 50th AFLW match – the first in Navy Blue to do so.
Recently appointed co-vice captain Jess Dal Pos raised the pressure gauge in the Blues’ practice match at the MCG and in a game that always carries a little bit of extra heat, she’ll be one to watch.
An eye on the opposition:
Collingwood will remain without midfield stars Brianna Davey and Britt Bonnici due to ACL injuries sustained in season six, but welcome a number of new additions to the fray.
Jordan Membrey will return to the forward line, while the Pies have also added tall target and former Cat, Olivia Barber. Alongside second-year Pie Sabrina Frederick, Kerryn Peterson will need to provide her usual commanding presence while Paige Trudgeon will be looking to continue where she left off in last season’s breakout campaign.
The midfield battle will be intriguing, with the Pies injecting Chloe Molloy and Ruby Schleicher into the middle throughout the pre-season, while Hill, McKay and Velardo have been building their Navy Blue connection. A familiar face in Lauren Brazzale will this time be in the black and white.
In their official pre-season hitout, the Pies demonstrated their experience against new kids on the block Sydney, with a comfortable four-goal win in Blacktown.
Last time we met:
The Blues will be out to atone for their last outing with the Pies, who claimed the four points with a three-goal win in last season’s Round 1 clash.
Abbie McKay booted her first goal in the Navy Blue that day, and was one of the Blues’ best performers alongside Brea Moody and Kerryn Peterson.
A vocal crowd were in the house to witness the spectacle, which can be expected once again as the two sides return to the Thursday night timeslot to open the season.
Game details:
IKON Park
Thursday 25 August, 7:10pm
Broadcast live on Channel 7, FOX Footy, AFLW app and Kayo.
