Unbeaten Essendon are out to make an AFLW assertion once they tackle competitors heavyweights Adelaide for the primary time.
There are solely 5 groups left with excellent information after two rounds this season, together with reigning premiers Melbourne – the raging flag favourites.
The different 4 lock horns in spherical three, with Geelong internet hosting North Melbourne on Friday evening earlier than the Crows and Bombers do battle on Saturday.
Essendon, of their second season, have gained consecutive matches for the primary time however face an enormous problem in opposition to three-time premiership powerhouse Adelaide at Sturt’s Wigan Oval.
“We’re really excited to play against a top-four team and see if we stack up,” Bombers co-captain Bonnie Toogood instructed AAP.
“It’s about proving to ourselves and gaining that confidence and belief that we have the ability.
“We’re not going to carry again. We’re going to place our greatest foot ahead and ensure we take it as much as the Crows.”
Under coach Natalie Wood, Essendon were the most successful of the four expansion sides last season, winning four of 10 games.
Toogood believes the Bombers are ready to take the next step this season with significant growth from players including Sophie Van De Heuvel, Georgia Gee, Sophie Alexander and Amelia Radford.
“We’ve had such enchancment throughout the bottom and that comes from having one other 12 months collectively to construct our connection – not simply on the sphere however off the sphere,” Toogood said.
Adelaide gave up a total of just 40 points in convincing wins over Port Adelaide and Richmond over the opening two rounds but won’t rest on their laurels against the Bombers.
“You by no means know what is going on to occur on that footy subject,” versatile Crow Stevie-Lee Thompson told AAP.
“We’ve watched a good few (Essendon) video games and we’re not going to take them calmly.
“It’s going to be a hard contest. No matter who we play, they always come 10 times harder (against the Crows).”
At the opposite finish of the ladder, 5 groups are nonetheless looking their first wins of the season.
Greater Western Sydney have been boosted by the return of Isabel Huntington and Emily Pease from long-term lay-offs with knee accidents for his or her conflict with Richmond at Blacktown on Saturday.
Former No.1 draft choose Huntington returns after greater than 20 months on the sidelines.
Her former membership the Western Bulldogs are rank outsiders as they try and open their account in opposition to Melbourne at Casey Fields.
The two sides will once more do battle for the Hampson-Hardeman Cup, performed in honour of two pioneers of ladies’s soccer.
St Kilda and Port Adelaide are each out to style success for the primary time this 12 months of their Sunday conflict at RSEA Park, as are West Coast once they host Carlton at Mineral Resources Park.
Beaten grand finalists the Brisbane Lions suffered a shock defeat of their season opener however are chasing successive wins once they host Sydney within the closing recreation of spherical three.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
