AFLW Round 3 – Thoughts, Observations and Tipping.

 

• Media is covering all AFLW news and views, I turn on the radio and can find sections dissecting and predicting the footy. There are articles in the papers. There are radio shows dedicated to talking footy, and it’s great to welcome Almanac writer Kate O’Halloran and her new ‘Kick Like a Girl’ radio show that is broadcast Mondays at 12 on 3RRR. Regulars like ‘Chicks Talking Footy’ and the ‘Outer Sanctum’ are back in the swing. There is conversation and coverage.

 

• The Almanac site is covering many games, so there’s great fun to be had and some great writing. Kate and her mother are hilarious at the Collingwood v Melbourne game and there’s nothing quite like a Jamie Simmons (Igor) piece about his beloved Brisbane Lions and ants and sox.

 

• The new players seem ready made for footy. They are strong, with great skills and have the game in their systems from coming through the academies. Old stars look mild in comparison, but their experience, strength and nous are needed to round out the teams.

 

• The teams, old and new, seem to be getting faster, fitter and stronger.

 

• There was a tweet of young Geelong supporters, girls, fan-girling their Geelong Cats and the joy and love on their faces was a magnificent sight.

 

• I see old and current players of AFLW across the media platforms, as well as stalwarts of the game like coaches Bec Goddard, Michelle Cowan, Daisy Pearce, Emma Kearney, and Sharni Layton, doing TV and radio spots and special comments.

 

• The Conferencing system seems out of whack already, and if you look at the two conferences side by side, Conference A has all the winning teams and it leads into Conference B (like a regular ladder) and they are all in a row. That means that Conference B leader is still under the last of Conference A. There will be some serious missing out when it comes to finals.

 

• The AFLW App has improved from last year but still needs work. It is hard to find out where the radio streaming is on the app, and I ended up having the live game on my phone as I was driving and listening to it as if it was the radio.

 

• I miss not having a game to go to this weekend in Victoria. I am ready to couch potato all weekend.

 

• It is great that all games can be watched on the AFLW App.

 

• The conversations about AFLW 2019 are around footy, footy and footy.

 

• More goals are being kicked.

 

• Serious injuries suck.

 

My Predictions for Round 3:

 

North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs:  I have tipped North as they have homeground advantage and they have such a talented array of players. I hope the Doggies win, which they could well do. This is the Friday night game in Tassie. This may turn out to be the game of the round.

 

GWS Giants v Carlton: Carlton haven’t got a snowflakes chance. I hope the weather plays nice in Blacktown. Who knows with Western Sydney at this time of year.

 

Fremantle v Collingwood: Have to go for Fremantle.  They are a vision this year and Collingwood are more than wobbly.

 

Adelaide Crows v Geelong Cats: I fear Adelaide’s experience may overwhelm the Cats, and they have to travel too.  It might be a good contest if the Cats bounce back from last week’s loss to the Dogs.

 

Brisbane Lions v Melbourne:  This may also be a cracker of a game, with Melbourne wanting to continue their winning ways and Brisbane wanting the win desperately.  I have tipped Brisbane as it is a home match, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Melbourne take the cookies.

 

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