<p>Season's greetings, dub fans! It’s time for the AFLW to get off and running for Season 2025.</p> <p>Season 10 is upon us! It only feels like yesterday that there was the lockout at Ikon Park, with gates shut because everyone wanted to be there for that historic opening night.&nbsp;</p> <p>Back then, it was just eight teams. Now, we’re entering our third season with the full 18, and what a season it’s shaping up to be.</p> <p>The undefeated Roos from last year will look to defend their crown, while fellow perennial contenders—the Lions, Crows, and Dees—continue to lurk. Then there’s the new breed: the Hawks and Power, both aiming to build on their maiden finals appearances in 2024.\</p> <p>Who will rise? Who will fall? Who will become the next household name in this milestone year for the competition?</p> <p>Let’s get this show on the road. For all the latest analysis, odds, and betting tips for this week’s action, check out our AFLW Round 1 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs Collingwood Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, August 14, 7:15pm AEST - Ikon Park, Melbourne</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Round one begins the same way this all started 10 years ago.</p> <p>Carlton and Collingwood at Ikon Park. Will they get a lockout this time? Probably not -&nbsp; but wouldn’t that be nice?</p> <p>The Pies have reloaded with some fresh new young talent, including the number one pick from last year's draft, Ash Centra, and have a brand new skipper this year with superstar Bri Davey handing the reins over to Ruby Schleicher.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Blues beefed up their front half in the off-season after a season of struggling to put a score on the board - Mia Austin is going to love having Tara Bohanna standing next to her inside 50, while Darcy Vescio is set for a new role down back.</p> <p>The Pies have some injury concerns coming into this one.. So it’s a big opportunity for the Blues to start strongly.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/carlton-w-v-collingwood-w--9488281">Blues by 10 points&nbsp;</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Mimi Hill 25+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Gold Coast Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, August 14, 9:15 pm AEST - Sullivan Logistics Stadium, Perth</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Rhyce Shaw makes some football history as the first person in a full-time capacity to coach a team in both the AFL and AFLW competitions.&nbsp;</p> <p>The one-time Kangaroos men's coach assumes the role as coach of the Suns women's team this year, and faces the long travel first up to face Daisy Pearce’s Eagles.&nbsp;</p> <p>Veteran midfielder Dana Hooker is back for the Eagles this year after missing last season through pregnancy, and is set to combine with the young star who many believe can be the best player in the comp as soon as this year - Ella Roberts as the pillars of the Eagles' engine room.</p> <p>The Suns can also lay claims to having one of the best players in the comp, with star Charlie Rowbottom set to own the Suns midfield again, but she might have to go it alone this week, with her running mate Claudia Whitfort racing the clock to be fit.</p> <p>Star recruit Lily Mithen adds some bounce and sparkle in the Suns' front half, too. A massive acquisition for the Suns.</p> <p>The Daisy effect is real, but the Eagles are still building, and the Suns need to start well.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/west-coast-eagles-w-v-gold-coast-suns-w--9488282">Suns by 15 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Charlie Rowbottom 10+ tackles</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, August 16, 6:15 pm AEST - North Sydney Oval, Sydney</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Swans' traditional opening game of the year at North Sydney remains for another year.. What a glorious tradition it’s turning into.&nbsp;</p> <p>Sydney’s season hardly got going last year after the devastating ACL injury to Chloe Molloy… but fear not, Swans fans, the superstar is back and ready to make up for lost time.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Tigers are seen as one of several teams right on the precipice of contention.</p> <p>They made the finals last year but went out straight away, and as such, bolstered their front half by recruiting Paige Scott.</p> <p>Led by superstars Katie Brennan and Mon Conti, they have the pieces to do the damage, but can they do it consistently enough, though?</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/sydney-swans-w-v-richmond-w--9488284">Tigers by 20 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Caitlin Greiser 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Geelong vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 16, 3:35 pm AEST - GMHBA Stadium, Geelong</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>An absolute belter of a match for round one.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos went undefeated last year on the way to a breathtaking premiership win, and it looks like they are tipped to follow suit again this year.</p> <p>The Cats are one of the teams that could genuinely challenge them. If they stay fit.&nbsp;</p> <p>Chloe Scheer is one they desperately need out on the park every week.&nbsp;</p> <p>The midfield battle in this one is worth the price of admission alone. Garner, Bruton, Riddell, Craven vs Prespakis, Morrison, Amy McDonald, and young gun Friswell… It’s can’t-miss stuff.</p> <p>Roos should be too strong here, but watch out for the Cats to purr this season.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/geelong-cats-w-v-north-melbourne-w--9488285">Roos by 14 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Amy McDonald 20+ disposals &amp; anytime goal</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Essendon Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 16, 5:35 pm AEST - Manuka Oval, Canberra</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>After sneaking into the finals last year, the Bombers are looking to go again and be the senior Essendon team to end the finals drought that’s plagued the club for the longest time.&nbsp;</p> <p>Skipper Bonnie Toogood is fit and firing, A welcome change to last year when she spent significant time on the sidelines, which hindered the Bombers' chances in '24’.</p> <p>With an engine room of Prespakis, Nascawen, and Maddi Gay (even if she might miss the early weeks through injury), it’s a strong trio for the Bombers.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Giants are still building a team that can compete with the best. Stocked with some of the best young talent in the game in Alyce Parker and Zarlie Goldsworthy, they form the nucleus around all that the Giants might be able to do this year.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/gws-giants-w-v-essendon-w--9488286"> Bombers by 13 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Zarlie Goldsworthy 15+ disposals &amp; 2 goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, August 16, 7:35pm AEST - Whitten Oval, Melbourne</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Celebrating 10 years of the W competition? Only appropriate to have the two OGs going head-to-head in round one, then.</p> <p>It’s a big night for the Dogs too, as they host the first official AFLW game in front of the brand-spanking new Sutton Stand as they secure their home in the West.</p> <p>And, they’ll get a huge boost with the return of their favourite daughter, Ellie Blackburn, to the fold this year, after she spent most of last year on the sidelines. A big boost to the young Dogs team.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dees have too much quality on their list not to be contending or, at the very least, right up there in 2025.&nbsp;</p> <p>Hore, Harris, Hanks, Purcell, Zanker, Bannan, just to name a few. They should have too much firepower for the Doggies here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/western-bulldogs-w-v-melbourne-w--9488287">Dees by 31 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Eden Zanker first goal</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 17, 12:40pm AEST - Brighton Homes Arena, Brisbane</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Two teams that are expected to be up there yet again in 2025.</p> <p>Last year’s vanquished grand finalists, the Lions are back to mount their next ascension to the top of the AFLW mountain.&nbsp;</p> <p>There’s no love lost between these two sides either, with the Hawks nipping out a couple of Lions premiership stars to be the focal points of their side to come in and hit the ground running.&nbsp;</p> <p>But, such to the system that the Lions have bred up in Queensland, you can set your clock to them finding some stars yet again.</p> <p>Their forward line remains the most potent in the game, with Taylor Smith, Dakota Davidson, and the elusive Courtney Hodder powering the Lions to strong places.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks' engine room is their strength, and their collective ability to get on the move makes them extremely dangerous. Bates, Fleming, West, Bodey, and the acquisition of Najwa Allen from the Crows, they continue to build out that magnificent core.</p> <p>Throw in the Irish flair of Aileen Gilroy and Aine McDonagh, and the Hawks are shaping up well.</p> <p>They’ll probably start with a loss here, because the Lions don’t really lose at home, but expect both these teams to be up there again this year.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/brisbane-lions-w-v-hawthorn-w--9488290">Lions by 5 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ally Anderson 25+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>St Kilda vs Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 17, 2:10 pm AEST - RSEA Park, Melbourne</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Crows have dominated this competition from day dot. And they’re only getting stronger.&nbsp;</p> <p>This year might have some ‘last dance’ vibes about it for the Crows with the announcement that this will be coach Matthew Clarke’s final year as leader of the club.&nbsp;</p> <p>Reigning league best-and-fairest Ebony Marinoff is back and ready to lead as captain again. The acquisition of Hannah Ewings from across town is a big get for their already strong playing list..&nbsp;</p> <p>The Saints are on the right path as they build towards a first-ever finals appearance. They’ve added some great experience this offseason in inaugural Giant Nicola Barr and Charlotte Baskaran from the Hawks.&nbsp;</p> <p>It might help them not drop the games they’ve been prone to dropping in recent seasons.. But this isn’t one of them because we’re struggling to see many teams beating Adelaide this season that aren’t already top-four contenders.</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction</strong>: <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/st-kilda-w-v-adelaide-crows-w--9488291">Crows by 21 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Nimah Kelly 20+ disposals &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, August 17, 4:10pm AEST - Alberton Oval, Adelaide</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Are people sleeping on the Dockers already this season?&nbsp;</p> <p>A well-rounded list already got even stronger. A brilliant ruck, versatile midfield, and a strong mix of talls and smalls at both ends of the ground. And, with ‘Turbo’ Kiara Bowers' impending return, opposition players are running with the fear of getting tackled strongly.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Power was the surprise packet of last season, rising from nowhere to make a preliminary final.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’re fully stocked with youth, with Tilly Scholz, Shineah Goody, and star recruit Ella Heads; they’re building something seriously exciting down at Alberton this year.</p> <p>If they can get the supply out of the middle right to Houghton and Woodland up front, then they can cause plenty of headaches this season. They might start off with a big statement here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/port-adelaide-w-v-fremantle-w--9488292">Power by 13 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ashleigh Woodland anytime goal&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFLW 2025 Premiership Odds:</h2>