AFLW Tips and Predictions - Round 9 2026

Round 9 of the AFLW season kicks off Pride Round with the ladder in a knot.

North Melbourne, Melbourne and Geelong are all 7-1 on 28 points, split only by percentage with the Roos on top at 260.0 after a 71-16 demolition of Sydney that cost them Emma Kearney to a hamstring in her 100th game.

Gold Coast, Carlton, the Western Bulldogs and Sydney are locked on 24 the Suns points, arriving there via their first ever QClash win. Fremantle, Hawthorn, West Coast and Richmond are all 4-4 and fighting over eighth, with the Eagles finally breaking their Derby duck.

Port Adelaide and Adelaide sit on 12 after the Power’s Showdown win, Brisbane have eight and Essendon finally broke the drought against GWS, recording their first win of the season.

Some huge matchups ahead in Round 9, with Melbourne vs Gold Coast on Saturday night shaping as match of the round.

For the latest news, analysis, and insights, check out our expert AFLW Round 9 tips and predictions below.

Western Bulldogs vs Essendon Bombers Prediction

Friday, October 9, 7:15pm AEDT - Mission Whitten Oval, Melbourne

The Bulldogs open Pride Round off the back of a 128-84 contested possession rout in filthy conditions, holding St Kilda to a single point.

Essendon have Madison Prespakis at 31.8 disposals a game, second only to Ash Riddell, but they beat GWS while being smashed 50-23 for inside 50s and surviving on efficiency alone.

That won’t fly at the Whitten Oval.

Head-to-head prediction: Western Bulldogs Women.

St Kilda vs Collingwood Magpies Prediction

Saturday, October 10, 1:05pm AEDT - RSEA Park, Melbourne

Its spoon on Saturday afternoon as 18th takes on 17th at RSEA Park. For St Kilda this is about as inviting as the draw gets, as they try to bounce back from a regrettable performance where they only managed to score one point. 

Collingwood have one win themselves, but Ash Centra was superb in defeat against Melbourne with 30 disposals, seven clearances and a goal and Tarni White was dynamic in the midfield. 

We keep waiting for the Saints to find something. We’re not tipping it just yet.

Head-to-head prediction: Collingwood Women.

Port Adelaide Power vs West Coast Eagles Prediction

Saturday, October 10, 3:05pm AEDT - Alberton Oval, Adelaide

Port snapped a four-game slide with a 14-point Showdown win, Abbey Dowrick claiming her second straight Showdown Medal with 23 disposals, nine clearances and eight tackles.

West Coast are riding an emotional high after beating Freo for the first time in club history, Ella Roberts kicking the sealer to go with 22 disposals and 12 contested possessions.

Alberton is a hard trip at the best of times and backing up that sort of week is harder again.

Head-to-head prediction: Port Adelaide Women.

Geelong Cats vs GWS Prediction

Saturday, October 10, 5:05pm AEDT - GMHBA Stadium, Geelong

Seven straight wins, Chloe Scheer equal top of the goalkicking on 18, Jackie Parry on 16, with Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison and Mikayla Bowen running the midfield as they please.

GWS have one win from eight, a percentage of 71.4 and have just lost Sara Howley for four to six weeks.

Alyce Parker has been contributing well through the midfield for GWS but it won’t matter in this one. 

Head-to-head prediction: Geelong Women.

Richmond Tigers vs Adelaide Crows Prediction

Saturday, October 10, 7:15pm AEDT - IKON Park, Melbourne

Richmond’s team sheet tells the story: two top-ups named, Paige Scott and Bec Miller dropped, Emelia Yassir injured and Mon Conti sidelined with an Achilles complaint.

That’s a side still nominally chasing eighth fielding something close to a reserves line-up, a week after managing three goals against Geelong.

Adelaide sit at 12th on the ladder with a scratchy 3-5 record, but Ebony Marinoff is averaging 24.4 disposals and the Crows have a settled spine.

Head-to-head prediction: Adelaide Women.

Gold Coast Suns vs Melbourne Demons Prediction

Saturday, October 10, 8:15pm AEDT - Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay

The game of the round, and it’s tightened this week with Melbourne heading north without Mia Austin, who sits equal third for goals with 16, and without Kate Hore.

The Suns are flying. Charlie Rowbottom has been the best midfielder in the competition for a month, Havana Harris is kicking clutch goals, and co-captains Lucy Single and Niamh McLaughlin are driving a young group that has just made QClash history.

Melbourne still have Olivia Purcell at 29.9 disposals and a percentage of 189.4, so we’ll back them in. We won’t enjoy it.

Head-to-head prediction: Melbourne Women.

North Melbourne Kangaroos vs Fremantle Dockers Prediction

Sunday, October 11, 12:35pm AEDT - Arden Street Oval, Melbourne

Losing Emma Kearney for four to six weeks matters for North’s September. It does not matter for a Sunday lunchtime at Arden Street.

Ash Riddell leads the competition at 34.5 disposals, Jasmine Garner went for 31 and 10 clearances against Sydney, and Tahlia Randall has 16 goals.

Fremantle hold eighth by percentage alone and are coming off a Derby loss that ended their long hold over West Coast.

Head-to-head prediction: North Melbourne Women.

Hawthorn Hawks vs Brisbane Lions Prediction

Sunday, October 11, 1:05pm AEDT - Kennedy Community Centre, Dingley Village

Craig Starcevich has described Brisbane’s injury list as savage, and at two wins from eight the Lions’ finals hopes end here if this one goes wrong.

Hawthorn were beaten by Carlton in horizontal rain last week, but they’re home, they’re ninth on percentage, and they have the league’s leading goalkicker in Aine McDonagh on 18.

Jenna Richardson also leads the competition for marks with 54, which gives the Hawks an intercept game a depleted Brisbane will struggle to crack.

Head-to-head prediction: Hawthorn Women.

Sydney Women vs Carlton Women Prediction

Sunday, October 11, 3:05pm AEDT - Henson Park, Sydney

Two sides level on 24 points, heading in opposite directions. Sydney were beaten by 55 points and lost ruck Ally Morphett to a season-ending ACL injury inside the opening five minutes.

Carlton arrive off a gutsy wet-weather win in which skipper Abbie McKay set a club AFLW disposal record with 34 touches.

Chloe Molloy has 13 goals and will compete, but she was playing in outnumbers against North and the Blues have spent the week planning specifically for her.

Head-to-head prediction: Carlton Women.

Odds are subject to change.*