It was as if some of the best players in the comp got together ahead of Round 2 and decided to use this weekend for some PBs.
There were record goal tallies, record disposal counts, record scores, record individual performances, and even some record losing margins for some teams.
Are we on our way to one of the greatest W seasons ever? It’s only been two rounds, and there might be a million ‘holding the ball’ free kicks paid per game. But the footy looks like a better spectacle. And if we keep those records piling up, then we might just get there!
Five teams remain undefeated, while a couple of shock losers from the opening weekend got back on the winners' list… Didn’t the Lions take out some frustrations out in the West!
With clear air this weekend, all the spotlight is on the W for those after their footy fix this weekend…And, it’s a vital round of games in particular for those five teams that are yet to get on the board. You can’t fall too far behind in a 12-week season!
On to Round 3 we go! For all the latest analysis, odds, and betting tips for this week’s action, check out our AFLW Round 2 tips and predictions below.
Richmond vs Essendon Prediction
Friday, August 29, 7:15pm AEST - TIO Stadium, Darwin
It’s Dreamtime in Darwin to kick off the W Indigenous Round!
The Bombers have made hay to start the season, with a pair of impressive wins. Even if it took them to the dying seconds to get over the Eagles with a straight Sophie Alexander kick.
They’ll be without one of their leaders for the trip to the Top End, after skipper Bonnie Toogood was hit with a two-game ban for a dangerous tackle, but the load is being shared among the senior Bombers.
The Tigers entered the year as finals hopefuls, and find themselves at 0-2… They need to get moving and quickly.
Head-to-head prediction: Dons by 15 points
Betting tip: Paige Scott anytime goal
GWS Giants vs Adelaide Prediction
Saturday, August 30, 1:05 pm AEST - Henson Park, Sydney
That’s more like it from the Crows!
A seven-goal-to-zero final quarter flex was what they needed to restore their game. There was also a noticeable Chelsea Randall-sized hole that was filled last week, too, that made such an epic difference. She’s so good.
The Giants clinched defeat from the jaws of victory against the Pies last Saturday. They might not get many better chances than that this season to get some wins. They probably won’t win here, and it’s a long way back from 0-3.
Head-to-head prediction: Crows by 42 points
Betting tip: India Rasheed 15+ disposals
St Kilda vs West Coast Prediction
Saturday, August 30, 3:05 pm AEST - RSEA Park, Melbourne
Back down to earth with a thud for the Saints.
Their heaviest loss ever at the hands of the Demons last week. Everything they did against the Crows the previous week, they couldn’t get any of it going against the Dees.
Coming back to familiar surroundings at home against Daisy’s Eagles this weekend presents them with the chance to get things back on track.
The Eagles are building nicely. The young talent being nurtured under Pearce’s tutelage is on their way to taking the competition by storm..
They’re more than a sneaky chance here of coming home with the points here.
Head-to-head prediction: Eagles by 5 points
Betting tip: Jamie Lambert 25+ disposals
Geelong vs Sydney Prediction
Saturday, August 30, 3:05 pm AEST - GMHBA Stadium, Geelong
We’re still not over Chloe Molloy.
Two games back from an ACL… and she’s already breaking records.
It’s not just her that makes the Swans so watchable. Zippy Fish, Ally Morphett, Montana Ham, Amelia Martin… just to name a few.. They’re making serious waves in 2025 as they plot their return to finals.
The Cats were good against the Crows before getting blown away in the final quarter. With a midfield that good and with finals aspirations slipping away quickly, it makes this game all of a sudden the most important one of the season for Geelong.
Can they quell the Molloy show?
Head-to-head prediction: Swans by 13 points
Betting tip: Cynthia Hamilton, 15+ disposals & 2 goals
Port Adelaide vs Gold Coast Prediction
Saturday, August 30, 5:05 pm AEST - Alberton Oval, Adelaide
Someone’s going to get their first win of the season.
Two of the disappointing starters to the year battle it out at Alberton. You feel there’s more riding on this for Lauren Arnell’s team. Especially after their run to the prelim last year.
They felt the wrath of North Melbourne last week, as Jas Garner and Ash Riddell ran rings around them away from home.
It’s been a baptism of fire in the return to the coaching chair for Rhyce Shaw. 0-2 and really up against it yet again with his young and inexperienced Suns team.
It appears Lucy Single or bust for the Suns at the moment; she needs help around the ground.
You could almost pencil the loser of this one in for the wooden spoon..
Head-to-head prediction: Power by 12 points
Betting tip: SGM: Matilda Scholz + Genna Houghton anytime goalscorers
Western Bulldogs vs Hawthorn Prediction
Saturday, August 30, 7:15pm AEST - Whitten Oval, Melbourne
That was a nice surprise from the Dogs!
You could tell they were up for the fight against the Tiges, and it took them all the way to a nourishing victory in a year where it looks as if wins might be hard to come by.
Their mix of role players and young talent really came to the fore. Their forward line combination of Emma McDonald and Elaine Grigg is going to cause some problems for opposition defences in the years to come. Isabel Pritchard is also an insane talent with the perfect teacher in Ellie Blackburn.
The Hawks were good enough to just scrape over the line against the Blues on a cold night in Frankston. A late strike to the usually accurate Anie McDonagh was the difference at the death as the Blues blew some opportunities.
Against a team not as defensively well-drilled as the Blues are, they might cause some real problems for the Dogs' defence through the sheer amount of entries they create. And if they have their kicking boots on, this might get tough quickly for the home side.
Head-to-head prediction: Hawks by 34 points
Betting tip: Grace Baba first goal
Collingwood vs Melbourne Prediction
Sunday, August 31, 1:05pm AEST - Victoria Park, Melbourne
Beware of the Dees! They mean absolute business in 2025.
Skipper Kate Hore took one week of ‘easing into it’ up forward before going into the midfield full-time against the Saints… boy did she make her presence felt.
Coach Mick Stinnear would be happy she was comfortable and prevalent there after they lost one of their prime pieces, Liv Purcell, to a knee injury for the rest of the season, but the Dees have enough quality and depth to cover her.
The Pies got on the board against the Giants! Even if they snatched one away at the death. They’re slowly but surely getting their best team on the park, but it looks like they will be without superstar Bri Davey for some time yet.
The Dees are humming, and looking like they’re going to take very few prisoners this year.
Head-to-head prediction: Demons by 31 points
Betting tip: Shelly Scott 2+ goals
Fremantle vs North Melbourne Prediction
Sunday, August 31, 3:05 pm AEST - Fremantle Oval, Perth
North Melbourne has broken quite a number of records in recent times and is on the cusp of adding another one to their impressive era here. Should they get over the Dockers, they will assume the record for most AFLW wins in a row.
Two of their all-time greats had career days against the Power, with Riddell smashing the most disposals in a game record and Jassie Garner kicking half a dozen and winning a stack of the ball. They’ve all picked off right where they left off last season.
The Dockers felt the brunt of the Lions on the rebound and were overwhelmed at home. It’s a tough one to draw the Roos immediately after that, but if they think they’re going to be up there contending, they will run this one close.
The Roos train will keep on rolling, though.
Head-to-head prediction: Roos by 14 points
Betting tip: Mia King + Erika O’Shea - 15+ disposals
Brisbane vs Carlton Prediction
Sunday, August 24, 5:05pm AEST - Brighton Homes Arena, Brisbane
The Blues were gallant against the Hawks. But for some errant kicking, they probably could have come away with a result and really taken a scalp.
They go up a weight class here again as they travel north to take on the Lions. Last year’s vanquished Grand-Finalists responded to the shock first-up loss by putting a new club-record score, and the third-highest ever score in AFLW on the Dockers.
It was the tune-up that their star-studded forward line needed, as they all got a lick of the ice cream and got on the board.
The Blues’ defence has been good over the opening two weeks, but this is a totally different kettle of fish.
Head-to-head prediction: Lions by 24 points
Betting tip: Yasmin Duursma 15+ disposals