<p>As well as being the penultimate week of the regular season, AFLW round 9 is also Indigenous Round.</p> <p>The AFLW will come together this week to pay homage to the game’s Indigenous superstars and the traditional custodians of Australia.</p> <p>The occasion will be marked with special jerseys and celebrations as well as the annual Dreamtime match, which will take place in Darwin for the first time.</p> <p>With plenty of mouthwatering matchups on the cards, AFLW round 9 should be a truly captivating spectacle both on and off the field.</p> <p>For the latest analysis, odds, news and more, check out our expert AFLW round 9 tips and predictions below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Hawthorn vs Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Thursday, October 24, 7:45pm AEDT – Cazalys Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>AFLW round 9 kicks off with high-flying Hawthorn and top eight hopefuls Melbourne travelling to Cazalys Stadium in Cairns for a special Indigenous Round showdown.</p> <p>Melbourne are on a mission to make the finals and have made it clear they will not be going quietly, winning their last four in a row to sit tantalisingly in ninth.</p> <p>While four in a row is mighty impressive, all the Hawks can say is “hold my beer.” They’ve won their last six on the trot and are odds on here to make it seven.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/hawthorn-w-v-melbourne-w--8647567">Hawthorn.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Hawthorn 1-12.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Adelaide Crows vs North Melbourne Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Friday, October 25, 7:45pm AEDT – Norwood Oval</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>This is most certainly the headline match of AFLW round 9 and is not to be missed.</p> <p>It’s a top four showdown with the third placed Crows, welcoming undefeated table-toppers North Melbourne to South Australia.</p> <p>The most recent encounter between these two sides came late last year and was a 32-31 epic.</p> <p>If that was advertisement enough for this one, the time before that the Crows were the victors, by just three points.</p> <p>When these two sides throw down it’s usually destined for the highlight reel, and we gather this time will be no different.</p> <p>It’s a case of home ground advantage versus an ever-growing undefeated streak. With just two games remaining in the regular season, we think the Roos have come too far to drop the ball now.</p> <p>We’re backing them to remain undefeated, but we doubt they’ll be more than a major or two in this one.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/adelaide-w-v-north-melbourne-w--8647568">North Melbourne.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Adelaide line.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>GWS Giants vs Fremantle Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 26, 2:05pm AEDT – Henson Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Sometimes it’s just not your day, month or year. All seem true for the Giants who are probably counting down the days until the 2024 AFLW season is finally over.</p> <p>Languishing in 16th with just one win this season, it doesn’t look like things will be getting much better this week as top eight occupants Fremantle travel to Henson Park.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/gws-w-v-fremantle-w--8647570">Fremantle.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Gabby Biedenweg-Webster anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Gold Coast Suns vs Port Adelaide Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 26, 4:05pm AEDT – People First Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>They’ve done it, they’ve finally done it. The Gold Coast Suns have their first win this season.</p> <p>Annnnd back to reality. Port are looking to make it five in a row and take a step closer to sewing up a top eight spot. We are expecting them to do just that.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/gold-coast-w-v-port-adelaide-w--8647571">Port Adelaide.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Big win, little win - Port 1-39.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>West Coast Eagles vs Geelong Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 26, 6:05pm AEDT – Mineral Resources Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>A funny old match up here, with little but pride to play for. Neither team are terrible, yet both are set to miss the finals in 2024.</p> <p>We’re giving the Cats right of way here after their shock 10-point victory over the fourth placed Lions last week.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/west-coast-w-v-geelong-w--8647572">Geelong.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Essendon vs Richmond Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Saturday, October 26, 8:15pm AEDT – TIO Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Essendon’s finals charge hit a blue and white speedbump last week as they came crashing back down to earth with a 7-58 loss to minor premiers-elect North Melbourne.</p> <p>Before that, they’d won their last four in a row to catapult themselves into the eight, but now remain there on percentage alone.</p> <p>Their opponents this week Richmond may be fifth, but their form is patchy to say the least.</p> <p>Last week’s loss to ninth placed Melbourne will be cause for concern and all but ends any top four hopes the Tigers may have had.</p> <p>This game also serves as Indigenous Round’s annual Dreamtime match and will be played in Darwin for the first time ever.</p> <p>It also may be the hardest game to call in round 9, but we’re calling it in Essendon’s favour. The must-win nature of this tie for them should be enough to inspire them to a close, close victory.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/essendon-w-v-richmond-w--8647573">Essendon.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Essendon 1-12.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Western Bulldogs vs St Kilda Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, October 27, 1:05pm AEDT – Mars Stadium</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Anything but a resounding win here and it’s curtains for St Kilda in 2024. That might still not be enough with both Melbourne and Essendon currently above them in the race for the eight.</p> <p>Still, it won’t hurt and against a Doggies side who are run and done, a win, resounding or otherwise, is a distinct possibility.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/western-bulldogs-w-v-st-kilda-w--8647574">St Kilda.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Tyanna Smith first goal scorer.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Collingwood vs Carlton Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, October 27, 3:05pm AEDT – Victoria Park</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The penultimate game of the penultimate round of the AFLW regular season is a pride only affair.</p> <p>The Pies seem set for the spoon and Carlton can’t make the eight. Both have just the one win in their last five and for both Mad Monday can’t come soon enough.</p> <p>There’s some merit to backing a Collingwood upset, but not enough to sway us from the H2H odds.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/collingwood-w-v-carlton-w--8647575">Carlton.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Under total match points.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Brisbane Lions vs Sydney Swans Prediction</h2> <p><em><strong>Sunday, October 27, 5:05pm AEDT – Brighton Homes Arena</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The final game of AFLW round 9 presents the perfect opportunity for the Lions to bounce back from their shock loss to Geelong last week.</p> <p>Their opponents the Swans are languishing near the foot of the ladder and have lost their last five straight. We could see a similar scoreline to the men’s Grand Final here in all honesty.</p> <p>Also, look to proud Badimia and Whadjuk woman Courtney Hodder to turn in a huge performance for indigenous round and assure that the Lions top four quest remains on track.</p> <p><strong>Prediction: </strong><a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/australian-rules/womens-afl/brisbane-w-v-sydney-w--8647576">Brisbane Lions.</a></p> <p><strong>Betting tip: </strong>Courtney Hodder anytime goal.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>AFLW 2024 Premiership Odds</h2>