Round six was the one that broke the internet. North Melbourne’s 32-game unbeaten streak, the longest in AFLW, AFL or VFL history, is over, with Hawthorn grinding out a seven-point win in Cairns. 

The Roos hadn’t lost since the 2023 Grand Final. While the Kangaroos were being tamed, Melbourne quietly kept doing what it’s done all year. The Dees put Carlton away by 34 points to move to 6-0 and sit alone on top of the ladder, with North Melbourne, Geelong and Sydney all a game back at 5-1.

At the other end, Essendon, Carlton and St Kilda are all still winless heading into the back half of the season.

Grand Final weekend for the men's means a shortened AFLW slate spread across Thursday and Friday, before the round wraps up in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney on Sunday.

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights, check out our expert AFLW tips and predictions for Round 7 below.

Geelong Cats vs Hawthorn Hawks AFLW Prediction

Thursday, September 24, 7:15pm AEST - GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Geelong’s five-game winning streak has been built on efficiency in front of goal, and the Cats look dangerous again after running away from Collingwood with a 6.1 third term at Victoria Park. 

Chloe Scheer booted four goals, and Georgie Prespakis continues to dictate terms through the middle, even carrying a tag most weeks.

Hawthorn arrives full of confidence after the biggest win in the club’s short AFLW history, toppling North Melbourne in Cairns. Aine McDonagh remains one of the most dangerous small forwards in the league and gives the Hawks a genuine avenue to goal against my defence.

Geelong at home, with form and a settled side, should have too much polish. We’ll take the Cats to make it six on the trot.

Head-to-head prediction: Geelong Cats.

Essendon Bombers vs West Coast Eagles AFLW Prediction

Friday, September 25, 12:05pm AEST - Windy Hill, Melbourne 

Essendon remains the competition’s great enigma as they are 0-6 despite Madison Prespakis putting up video game numbers, including a 37-disposal effort in the loss to Gold Coast.

The Bombers simply can’t turn possession into scoreboard pressure, managing one goal in that outing. 

West Coast has found some form under the radar, backing up a narrow win over St Kilda with Ella Roberts continuing to look like one of the competition’s best young talents.

The Eagles’ midfield got on top late against the Saints and that trend could continue here.

Two struggling sides, but the West Coast has the momentum and is more dangerous when they have the ball in their hands. We’ll take the Eagles to record a third straight win.Head-to-head prediction: West Coast Eagles.

Western Bulldogs vs Port Adelaide AFLW Prediction

Friday, September 25, 2:05pm AEST - Mission Whitten Oval, Melbourne

The Bulldogs leapfrogged Fremantle back into the top eight with a scrappy, wind-affected win at Cockburn ARC, grinding out a 10-point victory built on a strong second quarter.

It wasn’t pretty, but they now have four wins from six.

Port Adelaide has now dropped three straight, falling to Sydney despite a milestone 100th game for Justine Mules-Robison and a strong shift in the middle from Abbey Dowrick.

The Power just hasn't had enough composure going forward when it’s mattered most.

Home ground and finals pressure favour the Dogs here.

Head-to-head prediction: Western Bulldogs.

West Coast Eagles vs Brisbane Lions AFLW Prediction

Friday, September 25, 4:05pm AEST - Ikon Park, Melbourne

Carlton has lost back-to-back matches, first to North Melbourne and then comprehensively to the Demons, where the Blues were beaten in every key metric.

Mimi Hill and Abbie McKay remain dangerous, but the late-game composure that carried Carlton to their first four wins has slipped.

Richmond, by contrast, has now won two games in a row after grinding out an arm-wrestle against GWS, with Monique Conti continuing to be one of the most damaging midfielders in the league.

Carlton at home against a Tigers side building momentum shapes as a genuine coin flip.

We’ll lean towards the home side to get the victory.

Head-to-head prediction: Carlton Blues.

Melbourne Demons vs North Melbourne Kangaroos AFLW Prediction

Friday, September 25, 7:15pm AEST - Ikon Park, Melbourne

The game of the round, and arguably the season. This is a rematch of last season’s preliminary final, and it now doubles as a top-of-the-table clash with a psychological twist; North Melbourne has just lost for the first time since 2023, while Melbourne has yet to be beaten in 2026.

Tyla Hanks was everywhere against Carlton with a game-high 32 disposals, and Olivia Purcell has quietly been one of the best players in the league all year.

The Demons have won every statistical battle they have been in this season.

North Melbourne will want to respond immediately, and few sides in AFLW history have had the depth to bounce back the way this group can.

Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell remain two dangerous players in the competition, and a wounded Roos side is a dangerous problem.

It’s desperately close, but the Demons’ unbeaten record and home advantage should edge them out for the win in what’s expected to be a classic.

Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Demons.

Adelaide Crows vs Fremantle Dockers AFLW Prediction

Sunday, September 27, 12:35pm AEST - Unley Oval, Adelaide

Adelaide has won three of its last four, snapping a seven-game losing streak against arch-rival Brisbane with a nine-point win built on clearance dominance. 

India Rasheed’s composure in front of goal against the wind was a highlight, and Ebony Marinoff continues to be one of the most reliable contested-ball winners in the league.

Fremantle’s finals hopes took a hit in their loss to the Bulldogs, a game the Dockers led at three-quarter time before fading.

Kiara Bowers and Mim Strom remain the engine room for this side, but four losses from their last five is a worrying trend.

We like Adelaide to win the game, given their home advantage and their form compared to Fremantle.

Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Crows.

Collingwood Magpies vs GWS Giants AFLW Prediction

Sunday, September 27, 1:05pm AEST - Victoria Park, Melbourne

Collingwood remains the competition’s most frustrating watch, being competitive in games without ever finishing the job, and now 0-6 after being run down by Geelong’s dominant third-quarter performance.

Ruby Schleicher and Brit Bonnicci continue to work hard, but scoring remains the fundamental issue.

GWS pushed Richmond to the wire last week, storming back with 6.0 in the third quarter through the likes of Georgia Garnett, only to fall seven points short.

There are signs of life in this Giants outfit, even in defeat.

Neither side inspires huge confidence, but GWS showed more going forward last week and should get the win in what is expected to be a low-scoring contest.

Head-to-head prediction: GWS Giants.

Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions AFLW Prediction

Sunday, September 13, 3:05pm AEST - Arden Street Oval, Melbourne

Sydney continues to impress in its post-Hurley era, with Chloe Molloy scoring three goals in her 75th game to see off Port Adelaide and push the Swans to 5-1.

Zippy Fish has stepped up nicely at the stoppages in Hurley’s absence, and this group looks finals-bound.

Brisbane’s finals aspirations took a genuine dent with the home loss to Adelaide, a result that snapped their run of success in that rivalry.

The Lions were let down by skill errors in the conditions at Brighton Homes Arena, despite winning enough possession to win the game.

Sydney at home, full of confidence, should get the victory against a Brisbane side searching for answers.

Head-to-head prediction: Sydney Swans.

Gold Coast Suns vs St Kilda Saints AFLW Prediction

Sunday, September 27, 5:05pm AEST - People First Stadium, Gold Coast

Gold Coast flexed its muscles against Essendon, with Charlie Rowbottom having 36 disposals and Niamh McLaughlin with 33. 

The duo put together the kind of midfield performance that has quietly pushed the Suns into the top four, and the Suns have arrived as a genuinely dangerous team right now.

St Kilda remain without a win as they remained competitive for stretches of the game.

However, they couldn’t finish the job against West Coast, with their injury list growing by the week after losing Carys D’Addario and Saoirse Lally during the loss at RSEA Park.

This one looks one-sided on paper, and we don’t see enough reason to back the Saints to end the drought this week.

Head-to-head prediction: Gold Coast Suns.