FREMANTLE (8th) vs CARLTON (3rd)

Where: Domain Stadium, Perth
When: Friday, 10 March
Time: 6:05pm AEST

COVERAGE

Follow Carlton’s social media channels where we’ll be posting live updates and behind-the-scenes content. FOX Footy will broadcast the match live nationally and it can also be streamed live on the AFL Live app.

FORM GUIDE

Carlton got the victory it desperately needed against the Western Bulldogs in Round 5, after two successive losses at the hands of Adelaide (three points) and Melbourne (six points). It was history in the making for the Blues - the six-point win also reaching the record books for the biggest score in AFLW history. Now sitting third, the Blues need other results to go their way and wins against the Dockers and the Lions to make the inaugural NAB AFL Women’s Grand Final on 25 March. 

Conversely, it's been a frustrating season for Fremantle, which remains the only club yet to win a game. The Dockers came heartbreakingly close against the Magpies (one point) in Round 5 and will have a point to prove in the last two rounds of the season. Coach Michelle Cowan will be making sure her girls are ready to go in their last home game of the season before the trip to Casey Fields to face Melbourne in Round 7.

WHAT THE STATS SAY

Carlton is a much higher scoring team than Fremantle, leading the goals 29-17 at an average of 5.8 per game compared to the Dockers’ 3.4. The Blues also narrowly lead in averages for disposals (179-178) and contested possessions (99-92). The Dockers have their noses in front for averages in uncontested possessions (83-81), clearances (22-19) and centre clearances (5-3). Fremantle is strong in tackles, leading 57-52 for averages per game.

SELECTED TEAMS:

FREMANTLE
B: G.O’Sullivan 22, T.Bresland 5, G.Houghton 27
HB: C.Davidson 33, K.Clinch 25, K.Donnellan 15
C: H.Miller 19
HF: L.Filocamo 4, E.Antonio 12, A.Lavell 7
F: D.Hooker 17, K.Phillips 13, A.Sharp 1
FOLL: A.Janz 30, M.Caulfield 24, K.Bentley 23
I/C: S.Cain 20, D.Okely 16, B.Whyte 38, T.Golisano 11, S.Barr 10, B.Smith 18
Emergencies: B.Devlyn 26, A.Chuot 14

In: T.Golisano , S.Cain
Out: A.Chuot, B.Devlyn

CARLTON
B: L.Attard 14, B.Davey 1, T.Lucas-Rodd 18
HB: L.Brazzale 12, D.Hardiman 31, J.Ivey 28
C: L.Arnell 13
HF: I.Ayre 22, K.Shierlaw 25, S.Audley 26
F: D.Vescio 3, B.Moody 16, S.Hosking 10
FOLL: A.Downie 30, K.Gillespie-Jones 5, K.Loynes 2
I/C: M.Keryk 4, G.Pound 6, J.Kennedy 23, A.Brown 27, B.Jakobsson 35, T.Nestor 20
Emergencies: R.Privitelli 9, K.Darby 8

In: J.Kennedy, J.Ivey
Out: R.Privitelli, N.Exon
New: Jordan Ivey (top-up player for injured Nat Exon), Lake Windouree (VIC)

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

CARLTON

Tilly Lucas-Rodd

Arguably Carlton’s best in the win over the Western Bulldogs, Lucas-Rodd led the disposal count with 17, but it was her quality of possession rather than quantity that stood out. The hard-nosed midfielder excelled with her burst running, laying three tackles, taking six marks and having three inside 50s. With Nat Exon missing through injury, expect even greater opportunity for Lucas-Rodd in the thick of the action on Friday night.

Bri Davey 

In her first game back from an injury layoff, the ever-reliable Davey didn’t disappoint with her 16 disposals. Despite a quiet first half, the Blues’ co-vice captain stood strong contest after contest, impressing with her rebound work out of the back half. Her intensity was evident with four tackles and three rebound 50s, while she also moved up the ground to power the football inside 50 twice over four quarters. One of the Blues’ barometers, Davey will be pivotal for Carlton in Perth.  

FREMANTLE

Lara Filocamo

The battle-hardened Filocamo shone in the heartbreaking loss to Collingwood, amassing 21 disposals and leading from the front all game. Her three tackles, two inside 50s and six handballs brought teammates into the game but ultimately fell short on the scoreboard. The midfielder picked at selection 29 in the NAB AFL Women’s Draft will again form part of the engine room against the Blues.

Dana Hooker

Another midfielder to shine for the eighth-placed Dockers, Hooker impressed with 20 disposals and her ability to compete across four quarters against the Magpies. She laid the second-most tackles for Fremantle with five, along with four inside 50s and one rebound 50 to show her ability to cover the ground at both ends. The Dockers will be looking for her to work in tandem with Filocamo to lead the Dockers to victory on home soil.

CONDITIONS

The weather is forecast to be sunny with clear skies, reaching a top of 32 degrees.