<p>Round nine was the swerve we didn’t see coming, but it was the swerve we needed.</p> <p>As we enter the final third of the home-and-away season, 10 teams are jostling for the precious eight finals spots (though realistically, it’s more like seven, no one will dislodge North).</p> <p>Top-four hopefuls Melbourne and Carlton both endured shock losses, while powerhouses Brisbane have surged back into the top four.</p> <p>Closer to home, we had a dismal week here at The Huddle - only 1/9. (We’ve formally lodged a request with management to rebrand us as the official Mikayla Bowen fan club.)</p> <p>But with three rounds to go, there’s still plenty of action, and many teams will need to hit form fast to lock in a finals berth.</p> <p>For all the latest analysis, odds, and betting tips, check out our AFLW Round 10 tips and predictions below:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Hawthorn Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, October 17, 7:15pm AEDT - Alberton Oval, Adelaide</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks haven’t always been at their best this season, but they’ve found their way to an 8-1 record and comfortably nestled in the top four.&nbsp;</p> <p>They used last Saturday as a way to continue to fine tune against a depleted, and struggling Suns lineup. They likely won’t get another big test until the final round of the season before finals, although Port could be a tricky matchup here despite the lowly 13th position they currently sit on the ladder.</p> <p>If Port do want to cause an upset and try disrupt some of the Hawks’ momentum, here’s a handy tip… maybe don’t leave Anie McDonagh free to do as she pleases? But if you do get a hand on her, she might just kick the goal anyway.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Hawks should continue soaring here.&nbsp;&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-hawthorn-w--9723355">Hawks by 21 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Lucy Wales 15+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, October 17, 9:15pm AEDT - Sullivan Logistics Stadium, Perth</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>From a Sunday session to Friday night lights — it’s crunch time for Daisy’s Eagles. They’ve been the feel-good story of the season, and it would sting to lose key matches in this final stretch that could cost them a finals spot.</p> <p>The Cats, however, are still alive after comfortably beating the Giants at home, powered by their star midfield trio and potency up forward.</p> <p>This match carries huge ramifications for both clubs’ finishing positions.</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-geelong-cats-w--9723356">Cats by 5 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Georgie Prespakis 25+ disposals &amp; anytime goal&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs Sydney Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 18, 1:05pm AEDT - Casey Fields, Melbourne</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It really wasn’t a happy weekend in WA for the Dees.&nbsp;</p> <p>Between players getting stuck in lifts, traffic jams, a heavy knock to Tayla Harris, and going down to the Dockers, they’d be pretty happy with getting back to Casey as quickly as they can.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Swans snapped a four-game losing streak in blistering fashion against the Blues. Laura Gardiner brought her own footy to Henson Park, while Montana Ham was lethal whenever she got it.</p> <p>Then there’s Chloe Molloy up forward who got going again.. And proved why the Swans, despite sitting a game off the pace at the moment are still players in this season.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Dees on the rebound seems like the best way to challenge how legit a challenge they will be on the final stretch of the season. They’re good enough to pull off the result, but how much of a mood will the Dees be in after their road trip from hell?</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/melbourne-w-v-sydney-swans-w--9723358">Dees by 10 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Maeve Chaplin 20+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>North Melbourne vs Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 18, 3:05pm AEDT - Arden St Oval, Melbourne</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>21 and counting.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Roos’ stranglehold on the competition continues to get tighter as they inch closer to breaking the VFL/AFL/AFLW record for most consecutive wins.&nbsp;</p> <p>Despite it not showing up on the scoreboard, it took some time for the Roos to break free and shake off a spirited Tigers outfit, but it really seems the only thing stopping them right now are bulk injuries at the wrong time.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Crows got things back on track following the shock loss to the Tigers, and will come to Melbourne looking to give an almighty challenge to the competition pacesetters.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>This is the first of maybe only two tests the Roos might face before finals? It’s hard to see anyone getting close to them right now.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/north-melbourne-w-v-adelaide-crows-w--9723364">Roos by 17 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ruby Tripodi 2+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 18, 3:05pm AEDT - Henson Park, Sydney</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>“So you’re telling me there’s a chance”</p> <p>That’s probably what every Freo player and fan is telling themselves right about now after they pulled off a spectacular against the odds win against the Dees last week.</p> <p>It’s a far cry from the team that conceded 100 plus points two weeks in a row earlier in the season, so credit to them for that. But… is that going to be the thing that costs you a finals spot? There’s a lot of percentage that needs to be made up despite sitting one game out and with teams ahead of them.</p> <p>You think they’re good enough to get the job done against the Giants who have dropped back down to the bottom four after three straight losses.</p> <p>The Giants biggest win of the season came off-field last week when they re-signed superstar Alyce Parker. How much they would have loved her out on the field this season…</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/gws-giants-w-v-fremantle-w--9723366">Dockers by 35 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Hayley Miller 20+ disposals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 18, 7:15pm AEDT - Ikon Park, Melbourne</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The biggest game of the weekend.</p> <p>The Saints are on a tear and rising high after securing their fifth win in a row. And that’s despite losing MORE players to injury! Yet, they keep finding a way.</p> <p>Jesse Wardlaw keeps on putting this team on her back and delivering in front of the sticks, while midfield ace Georgia Patrikios is delivering and standing up big time as her teammates fall around her.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Blues copped a big reality check against the Swans, they were bullied in the contest and on transition. While they were missing a couple of key pieces to injury, it was a brutal reminder of how tight this competition is in a short season with little to no room for error.&nbsp;</p> <p>Last week's loss might have blown top four. A loss here, and all of a sudden, it’s an entire finals series that is hanging in the balance.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/carlton-w-v-st-kilda-w--9723373">Blues by 10 points&nbsp;</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Poppy Scholz 2+ goals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Brisbane Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, October 19, 1:05pm AEDT - Windy Hill, Melbourne</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Bombers slide has been dramatic to say the least.&nbsp;</p> <p>Yet to even get close to winning a game since they started the season 4-0.. And their latest crushing loss on Friday night to the Dogs might be the most telling of them all.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Lions on the flip side, seem to have timed their run to perfection. Three wins in a row now, their latest, a defensive masterclass against Port Adelaide.</p> <p>After a yo-yo start to the season, they have their game in full flow and look set to be one of the teams that can really push to challenge the Roos. The move to unleash ourtney Hodder on the ball this season has only added extra layers and minutes to her growing highlight reel.</p> <p>The chase for the quadruple crown in QLD is still on, and we expect it to gather steam!</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/essendon-w-v-brisbane-lions-w--9723374">Lions by 25 points&nbsp;</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:&nbsp;</strong>Under total match points.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, October 19, 3:05pm AEDT - Victoria Park, Melbourne</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A chance for one of the cellar dwellers to get a win on the board.&nbsp;</p> <p>The hits kept on coming for the Pies, even pre-game as superstar number one pick Ash Centra was withdrawn from the game with calf awareness and is pushing it to feature in this one. Despite her career being just nine games old, you could see how sorely she was missed by the Pies.</p> <p>The Tigers fought a lot harder than the scoreboard suggested against the Roos, despite being thoroughly outclassed in the end as the champs found another gear. They look to be finishing the season with an uptick of form so we’re backing them in here.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/collingwood-w-v-richmond-w--9723377">Tigers by 15 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Mon Conti 25+ disposals&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast vs Western Bulldogs Prediction</h2> <p><strong><em>Sunday, October 19, 5:05 pm AEDT - Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s good to see the Dogs on the up.&nbsp;</p> <p>Two wins from their past three games, albeit against opposition who are deep on the struggle street, it’s been good to see the growth from one of the young sides in the competition.&nbsp;</p> <p>They’re a bit too far back to make the eight from here, but the signs of growth leading into next season would be super pleasing for Tam Heyett and co at the Kennel.&nbsp;</p> <p>The Suns finished strongly against the Hawks, kicking four final quarter goals but the damage was well and truly done. They’re counting down the weeks till this one is all done.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Head-to-head prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/gold-coast-suns-w-v-western-bulldogs-w--9723379">Dogs by 26 points</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Rylie Wilcox first goal</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFLW 2025 Premiership Odds</h2>