AFLW Tips and Predictions - Round 12 2026

It all comes down to this.

Round 12 is the last round of the AFLW home-and-away season. The eight is all but locked in, so this week is about final ladder positioning and momentum heading into finals footy.

North Melbourne and Geelong are both 10-1 on 40 points. The Roos are well ahead on percentage, so the Cats are a long shot to finish on top.

Geelong made it 10 wins in a row last week in dominant fashion. They beat Freo by 30 points and looked sensational, we wouldn’t be ruling them out just yet. Dees also look to have a third-place finish locked in, they just need to get past the ninth placed Crows on Sunday arvo.

Then it gets messy. Gold Coast, Carlton, the Dogs and Sydney are all 8-3 and already through to the finals, but only one of them will finish in the top four.

Hawthorn hold eighth on 24 points and can seal their spot with a win over West Coast. Even if they lose, Adelaide would need to beat Melbourne to have any chance of sliding into finals contention.

Spare a thought for Collingwood. The Pies were held goalless by Port, finishing with just 4 points. News just in that Collingwood AFLW coach Sam Wright will step aside following Round 12.

With finals starting next week and the first Friday night AFLW Grand Final set for November 27, who's peaking at the right time?

For the latest team news, analysis and AFLW Round 12 odds, check out our AFLW Round 12 tips and predictions below.

Geelong Cats vs Western Bulldogs Prediction

Friday, October 30, 7:15pm AEDT – GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Ten straight wins. Can anyone stop the Cats?

Geelong's only loss this season came in Round 1 against, you guessed it – North Melbourne.

Chantal Mason kicked three goals against Fremantle last week, and Georgie Prespakis had 28 disposals. Jackie Parry missed that game with concussion, so keep an eye on the team sheet.

The Dogs are already in the finals, but they've lost Jess Fitzgerald to a hamstring injury and could only manage 20 points against the Dees in Round 11.

A win keeps the Cats in the hunt for top spot, and the Dogs could still finish anywhere from fourth to seventh. We're backing Geelong at home.

Head-to-head prediction: Geelong Cats Women.

Betting tip: Georgie Prespakis 25+ disposals.

St Kilda Saints vs Port Adelaide Power Prediction

Saturday, October 31, 1:05pm AEDT – RSEA Park, Melbourne

Port did everything they could last week. They kept Collingwood goalless and won by 48 points.

At 5-6, the Power's finals hopes are all but gone, so this is about finishing the season strong. Matilda Scholz had 24 hitouts against the Pies and she leads the competition in hitouts this season.

St Kilda are 1-10 and were beaten by 52 points by Brisbane at home last week.

Port should have too class here.

Head-to-head prediction: Port Adelaide Power Women.

Betting tip: Matilda Scholz 20+ hitouts.

Richmond Tigers vs North Melbourne Kangaroos Prediction

Saturday, October 31, 3:05pm AEDT – Windy Hill, Melbourne

The ladder leaders were made to work for it against Adelaide in Hobart, but they got the win, 38-29.

Ash Riddell had 33 disposals and Jasmine Garner had 32. Riddell has been one of the best midfielders in the league this season, averaging more than 34 disposals per game.

Richmond pushed the competition’s dark horse, Gold Coast Suns all the way last week, going down by just four points up in QLD.

A great effort, but likely won’t be enough against North Melbourne.

Head-to-head prediction: North Melbourne Kangaroos Women.

Betting tip: Ash Riddell 30+ disposals.

Brisbane Lions vs Carlton Blues Prediction

Saturday, October 31, 5:05pm AEDT – Brighton Homes Arena, Ipswich

Brisbane have found some late-season form, unfortunately its come once their season was already done and dusted.

They've beaten Port Adelaide and St Kilda in back-to-back weeks. Sophie Conway had 26 disposals and kicked a goal in the 52-point win over the Saints.

The Carlton women are 8-3 and gearing up for another finals campaign. They kept GWS to just three goals last week, with Abbie McKay leading the way with a standout performance.

The Lions won't make it easy in Ipswich, but the Blues have more to play for.

Head-to-head prediction: Carlton Blues Women.

Betting tip: Abbie McKay 20+ disposals.

West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn Hawks Prediction

Saturday, October 31, 7:15pm AEDT – Sullivan Logistics Stadium, Perth

It's simple for Hawthorn. Win and their finals spot is sealed.

The Hawks held on to beat Essendon 25-20 in a physical game, featuring a ridiculous 229 tackles.

Áine McDonagh sits second on the goal scorers tally, with 23 for the season. She consistently converts opportunities into points for this Hawks side.

West Coast are 4-7 and out of the running after going down to Sydney by 22 points.

It's a long way to travel, particularly coming off such a brutal contest last week. This one could go either way, but the Hawks have more on the line – we’ll lean towards Hawthorn.

Head-to-head prediction: Hawthorn Hawks Women.

Betting tip: Áine McDonagh 2+ goals.

GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Suns Prediction

Sunday, November 1, 12:35pm AEDT – Henson Park, Sydney

Gold Coast got the job done against Richmond, but only just.

Havana Harris kicked four goals, Charlie Rowbottom had 33 disposals and Niamh McLaughlin had 32. Rowbottom is averaging more than 32 disposals a game this season and has an outside chance to win the AFLW’s Best and Fairest.

GWS are 2-9 and could only manage 23 points against Carlton last week.

The Suns should be able to close this one out, no dramas.

Head-to-head prediction: Gold Coast Suns Women.

Betting tip: Charlie Rowbottom 30+ disposals.

Essendon Bombers vs Collingwood Magpies Prediction

Sunday, November 1, 1:05pm AEDT – Windy Hill, Melbourne

Both sides are 1-10, and both will be glad to see the end of this season.

Essendon have parted ways with coach Natalie Wood after the loss to Hawthorn. Maddy Prespakis was everywhere, despite adding another tally to the L column.

Collingwood have lost four straight and failed to kick a goal against Port.

Prespakis is averaging more than 30 disposals a game. Expect her to have plenty of the ball again at Windy Hill, likely leading the Bombers to victory.

Head-to-head prediction: Essendon Bombers Women.

Betting tip: Maddy Prespakis 30+ disposals.

Adelaide Crows vs Melbourne Demons Prediction

Sunday, November 1, 3:05pm AEDT – Thomas Farms Oval, Adelaide

Adelaide gave North Melbourne a real fight in Hobart and Ebony Marinoff had a hand in everything. The Crows sit in ninth are the only side with a realistic chance of sneaking into the top eight.

But they’ll need to win here and still would only be in with a shot if West Coast beat the Hawks on Saturday night.

Melbourne have been outstanding all season, between Olivia Purcell, Maeve Chaplin and Tyla Hanks, their midfield dismantled the Dogs in Round 11.

That midfield has been too good for most teams this year and we’re expecting them to prove it again in Round 12. We're tipping the Dees.

Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Demons Women.

Betting tip: Olivia Purcell 25+ disposals.

Fremantle Dockers vs Sydney Swans Prediction

Sunday, November 1, 5:05pm AEDT – Cockburn ARC, Perth

Chloe Molloy kicked five goals against West Coast and the 22-point win locked Sydney into the finals.

Fremantle would need a big win, a Hawthorn loss and help on percentage to sneak into the eight, so this one is more about pride.

The Dockers were well beaten by Geelong last week, managing just 34 points despite their best efforts.

Sydney are gunning for a top-four finish and have one their last couple of games in spectacular fashion. We’ll take Sydney Swans on this one.

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Swans Women.

Betting tip: Chloe Molloy 2+ goals.

Odds are subject to change.*