CARLTON'S AFLW Game Changers will be hoping to end their season on a high when they take on Fremantle on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams are out of the race for a Grand Final spot, but with a long off-season approaching they would be keen to build momentum for next season with a win.
And with the two sides occupying the bottom two spots on the ladder they’ll be playing to avoid a last-place finish.
The Blues have made three changes to their side from last week, headlined by the return of vice-captain Lauren Arnell from a concussion.
Lauren Brazzale and Katie-Jayne Grieve also come into the team, with Madeline Keryk, Tiahna Cochrane and Laura Attard all omitted.
Carlton was forced onto the back foot early against Melbourne last Sunday, but fought hard after the first break and outscored the Demons over the final three quarters.
They should take some confidence from that strong finish, but coach Damien Keeping will need to make sure his side is up and running from the first bounce this week.
Star forwards Tayla Harris and Darcy Vescio have worked hard all season, but with just seven goals between them for the year they would both be looking to make a bigger impact on the scoreboard.
They’ll need good service from a midfield group that led last week’s fightback. Young gun Georgia Gee has improved every game, and playing on the wing against Melbourne had her best performance yet with 10 disposals and a goal.
Senior players Sarah Hosking, Breann Moody and Shae Audley have all had excellent seasons and will be looking to finish with strong performances.
Fremantle has already doubled its win total from AFLW season one but still face the prospect of finishing at the foot of the ladder in season two.
It started the season 2-1 with excellent wins over Collingwood and Melbourne but has struggled in recent weeks, losing its last three games.
However, it pushed Adelaide right up to the final siren in a four-point defeat last week and has shown plenty of improvement.
Dana Hooker looms as the key match-up, as she is averaging 16.3 disposals per game and leads Fremantle’s goalkicking with four majors.
The Blues will be looking to finish the year on a high on Saturday. (Photo: AFL Photos)
She is ably supported by the midfield brigade of Kara Donnellan, Hayley Miller and Lara Filocamo, and their work in the centre sees Fremantle leading the league in clearances.
Last time the two sides met was in Round 6 last year, where the Dockers prevailed by 16 points in their only win of the season.
Once again, the two teams meet at the tail-end of the season, and once again neither is in the position they would have hoped for.
But the Blues will still be hoping to reverse the result this time around and finish the season on a high note.
