THE BLUES will hit the road on Friday night as they seek to bounce back against the Saints at RSEA Park.
Both sides will be looking to return to the winner’s list and close the gap between themselves and the top eight as we head toward the pointy end of season seven.
What to watch:
With 10 players aged 22 or under featuring in last week’s clash, the young Blues will need to respond after their disappointing last-start loss against the Giants. Having blooded five AFLW debutants this season, alongside another three club debuts, the resolve of the group will be tested in the important match-up with the Saints.
Mua Laloifi will look to continue her career-best campaign, having spent the last three consecutive weeks among the coaches’ votes for her instrumental role in the Blues’ defence. A week after amassing a Carlton record of 14 intercepts, Laloifi went one shy of the tally in Round 6, in an enthralling battle with Cora Staunton.
Abbie McKay was another shining light for the Blues – of her 23 disposals, seven were clearances while she also laid eight tackles, having a direct involvement in five of Carlton’s seven scores. She is now averaging over 21 disposals from her six games so far this season. With Georgia Patrikios excelling for the Saints, the battle of the young guns in the middle of the ground will be one to keep a close eye on.
An eye on the opposition:
St Kilda took it up to Collingwood last week but the scoreboard eventually ended in heartbreak, with the Saints falling agonisingly short after they were unable to capitalise on their opportunities.
The result leaves them sitting on eight premiership points - the same number as the Blues - and 11th on the ladder overall. Their wins have come against the Swans and the Hawks, with the Saints having recently fallen to teams at the top end of the ladder.
Kate Shierlaw has been in career-best form, sitting equal-top of the league’s goalkicking table with 11 goals for the season, averaging just under two per game. Patrikios has slotted back into the St Kilda line-up seamlessly, averaging 16.7 disposals and 4.3 clearances per game, ably supported in the middle by Hannah Stuart, who starred in Round 6 with 25 disposals and two goals.
Olivia Vesely and Rebecca Ott are on track to return to the St Kilda side, while ruck Erin McKinnon won’t line up for the Saints due to concussion.
Last time we met:
The Blues accounted for the Saints in dominant fashion the last time the two sides met, recording a 46-point win on their home deck.
Breann Moody and Darcy Vescio hit the scoreboard with two goals apiece, while Keeley Sherar and Jess Good registered their first goals at AFLW level on the day.
Game details:
RSEA Park
Friday 7 October, 6:10pm AEDT
Broadcast live on 7Mate, FOX Footy, AFLW app and Kayo.
