If Round One was all about the kids, and Round Two was all about the established stars, Round Three was all about the big improvers.
The Blues and the Eagles made the biggest statements over the weekend with big wins over the Saints and the Lions, both away from home, too, giving extra weight to their achievements.
The Power finally got on the board in a big way, taking themselves out of the group of four teams still chasing their first wins of the season.
On the flip side, we still have five undefeated teams, and the gap between the best and the worst has seemingly never been bigger in the AFLW.
As we enter Round Four, everyone is still chasing the Kangaroos…. They’ve jumped ahead of everyone again by so far, it’s going to take something special to catch them!
For all the latest analysis, odds, and betting tips for this week’s action, check out our AFLW Round 4 tips and predictions below.
Melbourne vs Richmond Prediction
Saturday, September 6, 12:35pm AEST - Casey Fields, Melbourne
“Call the cops,” is what Dees skipper, Kate Hore, said after they got away with one last week against the Pies.
They kept their undefeated start to the season alive, but were made to work for it out at Vic Park. Big shoutout to their leaders Hore and Tayla Harris, and also the inexperienced backline who stood up in the absence of the experienced stars.
They should find it slightly easier this week when they host the winless Richmond in the opening game of the round. The Tigers looked better around the ground and moving the ball against the Dons, but it’s still the ball use and final kick inside 50 that keeps bringing them undone.
How they’d love to get on the board here, but the Dees look ominous this year.
Head-to-head prediction: Demons by 23 points
Betting tip: Paxy Paxman 21+ disposals & anytime goal
Gold Coast vs GWS Giants Prediction
Saturday, September 6, 1:05 pm AEST - People First Stadium - Gold Coast
Someone is going to get to sing the song for the first time this season.
It’s been a tough time this season for both the Suns and the Giants. Both are besieged by injuries to key players, which have left gaping holes in the respective lineups.
Credit to the Giants, though, for staying within touching distance of the Crows for as long as they did.
Whoever can find a way to score more easily will come away with the win in this one… and that’s been hard for both sides this year.
Head-to-head prediction: Giants by 4 points
Betting tip: Tarni Evans first goal
Carlton vs Western Bulldogs Prediction
Saturday, September 6, 3:05 pm AEST - Ikon Park, Melbourne
Is the wheel finally starting to turn at Ikon Park?
After producing their best win under Matthew Buck, the Blues are playing footy the right way. Attacking, forward thinking, and with a fair degree of confidence in their own and teammates' abilities, too.
Mix the experienced heads of Darcy Vescio, Harriet Cordner, Breann Harrington, and Tara Bohanna, with the exuberance of youth and the luck of the Irish girls who have added plenty to this Carlton side, and the Blues are rising as one of the big improvers in 2025.
The Dogs have been gritty, but have ultimately lacked the polish to put teams away.
It will need to be a big shift from Blackburn, Pritchard, Fitzgerald, and Grant if they want to stun the Blues at home again as they did last year.
Not saying it’s impossible, but this Carlton side looks transformed. Finally.
Head-to-head prediction: Blues by 21 points
Betting tip: Erone Fitzpatrick 15+ disposals & 2 goals
Hawthorn vs St Kilda Prediction
Saturday, September 6, 7:15 pm AEST - Cazalys Stadium, Cairns
It might not be pretty, but the Hawks are still winning. They’d be the first to admit it — kicking just two goals and coming away with the win was a gift.
They’ve struggled for flow this year, especially without Jas Fleming and Aileen Gilroy. Can they uncover a couple more classy ball users to clean up their forward entries?
The Saints haven’t said ‘boo’ since their impressive Round 1 win. Five unanswered goals to the Eagles last week — at home — was a serious letdown.
A loss here, and the pressure will come back hard on Nick Dal Santo and the Moorabbin crew.
Head-to-head prediction: Hawks by 12 points
Betting tip: Jamiee Lambert 25+ disposals
Sydney vs Fremantle Prediction
Sunday, September 7, 1:05 pm AEST - Henson Park, Sydney
The most exciting team in the comp vs the most disappointing?
Freo looked like contenders after Round 1, but have since conceded 100+ points in back-to-back games — including becoming the first AFLW team to lose by 100 points last week.
The Swans, meanwhile, overcame their biggest test so far by edging the Cats and are full of belief. On form, this feels like another big Sydney win.
Head-to-head prediction: Swans by 43 points
Betting tip: Lulu Pullar 15+ disposals
Adelaide vs Brisbane Prediction
Sunday, September 7, 1:05pm AEST - Norwood Oval, Adelaide
Huge clash.
Two perennial contenders are still searching for their top gear. The Crows are building back after their shock Round 1 loss, but Brisbane is harder to read. Their second-half surge against Carlton looked electric — but they still lost. That’s two home defeats already this season.
Now they head to Adelaide needing to revive their season. The usual suspects — Marinoff, Hatchard, Randall, Gould, and Kelly — continue to lead the way for the Crows.
Massive stakes here.
Head-to-head prediction: Crows by 11 points
Betting tip: Belle Dawes 25+ disposals & Ebony Marinorr 10+ tackles
Essendon vs Geelong Prediction
Sunday, September 7, 3:05pm AEST - Windy Hill, Melbourne
No Bonnie? No worries!
The Bombers continue to get the job done in 2025. Another impressive defensive display (and some fortune thanks to the Tigers' woeful kicking) saw their perfect start to 2025 remain intact.
The Dons’ engine room of Prespakis, Nascawen, and Cain all rose to the fore when the game needed to be won, and have established themselves as a midfield group that can challenge with the best.
How will Maddy go when she comes up against sister Georgie this week, with the Cats desperately chasing a win to jumpstart their season?
The Cats haven’t been playing bad footy, but they still find themselves without a win after the first three weeks.
Their draw opens up a little here over the next month, but they need to get the result here, or they can kiss any thoughts of finals footy goodbye.
Head-to-head prediction: Bombers by 6 points
Betting tip: SGM: Maddy Prespakis 20+ disposals & anytime goal into Jaqui Parry anytime goal
North Melbourne vs Collingwood Prediction
Sunday, September 7, 3:05 pm AEST - Arden St Oval, Melbourne
Catch us if you can.
15 wins in a row for the Roos now, piling up 100+ points for fun and absolutely dominating anyone standing in their way.
Can they be stopped? Well, they weren’t last week, but they were certainly given a scare when superstar Jas Garner was taken off with an ankle injury. They’ll no doubt be sweating on her fitness, but these Roos are far from a one-woman team.
The Pies were plucky against the Dees and were a coat of paint away from coming away with an amazing against-the-odds win. They’ll get their captain back for this one, but it won’t be enough to get over the Roos at home you’d think.
Can they bring up three figures for the third week in a row?
Head-to-head prediction: Roos by 51 points
Betting tip: Nell Morris-Dalton 2+ goals
West Coast vs Port Adelaide Prediction
Sunday, September 7, 5:05pm AEST - Mineral Resources Park, Perth
Two of the brightest young talents in the game going head-to-head to finish the round? Yes please!
Ella Roberts got the Eagles over the line against the Saints as she took control of the fourth quarter, while Matilda Scholz continued showing off just what she might be capable of with another impressive display from the ruck and a freakish goal from the boundary line.
The Power finally broke their duck last week, making a mess of the struggling Suns, but this presents another challenge.
Daisy’s Eagles have been one of the stories of the competition over the past two seasons. Pearce has won six games in her tenure, and she’s already the most successful Eagles W coach ever.
We think she adds a seventh here against the Power, and then we really need to start recalculating our pre-season predictions.
Head-to-head prediction: Eagles by 20 points
Betting tip: Lauren Wakfer 2+ goals