<p>Welcome back to Sportsbet’s tips and predictions for Round 3 of the AFLW.</p> <p>It was another big week of Women’s footy, stacked full of action and talking points. The same though cannot be said for the huddle, with only one leg hitting. Thankfully, it’s only round 2 and while it's a short season, we have plenty of time to rebuild.</p> <p>Unfortunately, there were more significant injuries to key players last week. But, with the short nature of the competition, you have to move on pretty quickly and set yourselves to go again.</p> <p>Check out our expert tips and predictions for AFLW Round 3 below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs West Coast Eagles&nbsp;Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, September 12, 7:15pm AEST – Whitten Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This might be the Dogs’ only shot for a win this year. We mean that respectfully of course, but this legitimately might be their best chance.</p> <p>The Dogs failed to kick a goal against the Power. Despite having more of the ball and ascendency out of the middle of the ground, they simply could not convert their chances.</p> <p>Former skipper Ellie Blackburn is crying out for one of her teammates to go with her in the middle of the ground, she continues to toil away as a lone hand in the engine room for the Dogs.</p> <p>It was straight back to earth for Daisy’s Eagles as they fell to a 16-point defeat at home to Essendon. They faltered with a scoreless opening quarter and then couldn’t find a way to get closer.</p> <p>Despite the defeat, they had their moments and had an opportunity to capitalize on their draw and fortune and cash in against a struggling Dogs side.</p> <p>It’s a big night for the Dogs, with the re-opening of the Whitten Oval and the new stand, but we think the Eagles are going to ruin the homecoming.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/western-bulldogs-w-v-west-coast-w--8549718">West Coast.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Kellie Gibson (Eagles) anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Collingwood&nbsp;Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, September 13, 5:05pm AEST – Brighton Homes Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>That’s more like it, Lions.</p> <p>A nice win away against the Dees, and a new AFLW record to boot, got their season off and running. All their regular suspects were back among the best as they went to work on their shortcomings last week against North.</p> <p>It allowed star midfielder Ally Anderson to rack up 43 possessions – a new AFLW record, and nearly 500 metres gained as she ran absolutely riot.</p> <p>Coming back home, against a struggling Collingwood side, they’ll be looking at this as an opportunity to re-establish their back-to-back credentials.</p> <p>The Pies once again forgot their kicking boots, backing up last week's 4.11 with 3.8 this week, as they let the Hawks pile on the pain to get the new era under Sam Wright off to a less than ideal start.</p> <p>The Pies at least got their skipper Bri Davey back last week. While not at her prolific best straight away, will be better for the run following her delayed start to the year.</p> <p>We’re expecting the Lions to win pretty comfortably here.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/brisbane-w-v-collingwood-w--8549719">Brisbane Lions.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Britt Bonnici (Collingwood) 20 disposals + 10 tackles.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Sydney Swans vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 14, 12:35pm AEST – Coffs International Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Is it too harsh to say the Swans season went up in smoke on Sunday already?</p> <p>Not because they got done by the Saints, but the news breaking of their superstar Chloe Molloy’s knee injury and will be sidelined for the remainder of the season.</p> <p>It’s a hammer blow not just for the Swans but for the entire league.</p> <p>The Tigers got on the board after its opening week slip-up out west, holding off the Giants at home despite kicking just one goal in the second half.</p> <p>That probably won’t be enough to work against the Swans considering the firepower they have up forward and midfield, but they should be too strong with guns scattered around the field.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/sydney-w-v-richmond-w--8549720">Richmond.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Sarah Hosking (Richmond) anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Carlton vs Geelong&nbsp;Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 14, 2:35pm AEST – Ikon Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Carlton will be thanking the AFL’s new Blue-chip investment in the new smart ball technology this week. It helped them get on the board for their first win over the Suns in Mackay.</p> <p>It was a much-improved showing from the Blues from last week. Composure late in the game proved the difference as well as strength around the ground balls and clearances.</p> <p>It doesn’t get easier though. They now host a Geelong side who are already in a fight to save its season.</p> <p>Despite coming away with a draw against the Roos, they wouldn’t want to start winless after three games in a 10-week season. It would be a hell of a long way back for last year’s preliminary finalists.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/carlton-w-v-geelong-w--8549722">Geelong.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Georgie Prespakis (Geelong) most disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Port Adelaide vs Fremantle&nbsp;Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, September 14, 4:35pm AEST – Alberton Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Oh, Freo. Just when we thought we should be looking at you differently, this year, you give us that.</p> <p>Yes, you were playing Adelaide, and they are very, very good… but that was undoing all the good work from last week and more.</p> <p>They get an immediate chance to redeem themselves with a trip to Alberton to play the Power. Port is coming off their biggest win in their short existence.</p> <p>However, their depth is set to be tested even more with skipper Janelle Cuthbertson being ruled out for the season, adding further pressure to a squad still finding its feet.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/port-adelaide-w-v-fremantle-w--8549724">Fremantle.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Julia Teakle (Port) 2+ goals</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs Hawthorn&nbsp;Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, September 15, 1:05pm AEST – Thomas Farms Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Hokball is running wild in the dub.</p> <p>Which is a fun prospect if you love footy, but you’ll hate it when it comes to playing your team.</p> <p>Two games in, two massive scores, and lots of fun footy to watch.</p> <p>They get their biggest test this week when they come to Adelaide to play the Crows, who are once again proving to be a team that will be there at the pointy end of the competition.</p> <p>This one is easily the game of the round. Expect it to be fast, back and forth, and hot in the contest.</p> <p>The Hawks will be sweating on the fitness of their skipper Emily Bates who didn’t finish last game with a calf injury. While not terminal, it would be a significant blow.</p> <p>I wonder how many tackles Ebony Marinoff will have this week after laying a whopping 19 last week against the Dockers!</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/adelaide-w-v-hawthorn-w--8549723">Adelaide Crows.&nbsp;</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Eliza West (Hawks) 15 disposals + 1 goal</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Melbourne vs North Melbourne&nbsp;Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, September 15, 1:05pm AEST – Casey Fields</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The Kangas didn’t lose any shreds of their premiership favoritism despite their draw with the Cats at home.</p> <p>All their guns were extremely busy again and look to have wasted no time getting into their work this year. It looks as if they have that extra edge this year after coming so close last year.</p> <p>They take a trip down to Casey where they will hope to continue their run through the Dees, who, despite their impressive win in round 1, are looking a step off the pace compared to where they have been the last few seasons.</p> <p>Dees skipper Kate Hore is sure to receive some attention again this week after her influence was successfully quelled by the Lions skipper Bre Konen, reducing her to just 10 disposals and a goal.</p> <p>Libby Birch might be the perfect candidate to take this matchup after crossing to the Roos from the Dees in the off-season.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/melbourne-w-v-north-melbourne-w--8549725">North Melbourne.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Ash Riddell (North Melbourne) 30 disposals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs St Kilda&nbsp;Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, September 15, 3:05pm AEST – Windy Hill</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Maybe this is the year it starts coming together for St Kilda?</p> <p>They backed up their impressive round 1 win with another solid win at home against the Swans to make their mark as one of the early improvers in this season of AFLW.</p> <p>The midfield mix of Jamie Lambert, Tyanna Smith, Hannah Priest, and the addition of Grace Kelly looks to have the perfect mix of ball-winning ability and class. Which leaves star forward Jesse Wardlaw licking her lips.</p> <p>The Dons meanwhile return home with a road win over the Eagles to get their campaign off and running. They were able to find an answer for their firepower issues up forward in the absence of skipper Bonnie Toogood with the goal load being shared around the entire forward line.</p> <p>A real battle of the midfields this one. With the Saints trio up against the likes of Maddy Prespakis, Georgia Nascawen, and Maddie Gay will be an intriguing matchup to watch.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/essendon-w-v-st-kilda-w--8549726">St Kilda.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Daria Bannister (Essendon) first goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Gold Coast Suns&nbsp;Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, September 15, 5:05pm – Manuka Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The last game of AFLW round 3 takes us to the nation’s capital for the expansion cup.</p> <p>The Suns will still be smarting and wondering how on earth they didn’t come away with the win against the Blues. Superstar Charlie Rowbottom continues to produce the most ridiculous stat lines as she continues her ascent to being the best player in the game.</p> <p>The Giants, despite the loss to the Tigers, continued to show why they are one of the teams to watch out for this season. Zarlie Goldsworthy’s star continues to shine, and Irish recruit Eilish O’Dowd again showed off how impressively she has taken to AFLW.</p> <p>The Giants have recent winning form in Canberra and will look to keep that going here. Although, it is desperation stakes for the Suns. After making the finals last year, they will be determined to not lose ground on their rivals.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/gws-w-v-gold-coast-w--8549727">GWS Giants.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Jacquline Dupuy (Suns) 2 goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFLW Premiership Odds</h2>