Blues-Magpies rivalry set to heat up in AFLW opener
Justin Chadwick |
Carlton love nothing more than beating Collingwood, but can the Blues ensure the 2024 AFLW wooden spooners and their prized No.1 draft pick endure a painful start to 2025?
The AFLW season kicks off on Thursday night with Carlton hosting Collingwood at Ikon Park and West Coast taking on Gold Coast in Perth.
The Eagles’ match was initially set to be played at Leederville’s Sullivan Logistics Stadium, but the muddied field convinced the league to switch the game to West Coast’s home base at Mineral Resources Park.
Collingwood finished last in 2024 with a 1-10 record, while Carlton (4-7) also struggled on the way to a 14th-placed finish.
The Blues did at least get bragging rights over Collingwood last year, and will be aiming to dish out another dose of pain on Thursday night.
“We want to beat the Pies,” Carlton coach Mathew Buck said.
“You always like to beat Collingwood, there’s no doubt about that – across the whole football club, men’s and women’s programs, whether it’s VFL or AFL.
“It was a nice close game last year, with a kick from Dayna Finn that put us back in front to ultimately win the game, so they’ve been close in the past and I think it might be close again.”
The Magpies are being tipped to be big improvers this season, and will unleash No.1 draft pick Ash Centra against the Blues.
Centra, who dominated while playing at Vic Metro and the Gippsland Power, is tipped to be the next big thing.
Father-daughter recruit Violet Patterson, the daughter of Stephen Patterson, and former Docker Airlie Runnalls will also run out for the Magpies.
On the other side of the country, West Coast will be out to prove the doubters wrong in Daisy Pearce’s second season at the helm.
The Eagles won a club-record four games last season, but most pundits are still tipping them to finish near the bottom of the ladder.
West Coast will hand a debut to No.7 draft pick Lucia Painter and No.57 pick Kayla Dalgleish, with the match marking the first time Bella Lewis and Charlie Thomas lead the side as co-captains.
Suns coach Rhyce Shaw has named five debutants, including Gold Coast academy graduates Havana Harris, Nyalli Milne and Mia Salisbury.
Harris was the No.2 pick at last year’s AFLW national draft.
Sydney, who fell to 15th last season, will be out to make a strong start when they host Richmond on Friday night.
On Saturday, Geelong face a tough task against defending premiers North Melbourne at GMHBA Stadium, GWS face Essendon, and injury-hit Melbourne take on the Western Bulldogs.
Sunday’s action has Brisbane up against Hawthorn, St Kilda taking on powerhouse Adelaide, and Port Adelaide hosting Fremantle.
AAP
