Georgia Clarke v Kate Lutkins
Clarke had the perfect start to 2020 kicking her team’s first goal of the season.
The up-and-coming forward made the most of the limited opportunities given to the Cats’ forward line finishing the game five disposals and two marks.
Lutkins is an experienced campaigner.
This is her fourth season of AFLW and during that time she has played in a grand final, been named All-Australian (2018) and named her side’s best and fairest (2018).
Lutkins loves to leave her opponent and take intercept marks. Last week the 31-year-old took eight marks in a wet and scrappy game against Adelaide.
Clarke will need to keep Lutkins accountable so she can’t impact the Cats’ marking contests up forward.
Melissa Hickey v Lauren Arnell
The two veterans and former Darebin Falcons teammates could end up playing on one another this Sunday.
Arnell, who is in her second season at the Lions, was the only multiple goal scorer in her team’s surprise 13-point win over the Crows last weekend.
Both of Arnell’s goals came from free kicks inside forward 50.
Hickey was back to her best in Round 1 against Fremantle taking five important marks in defence.
The captain’s influence and experience helped keep the Dockers to just six goals from their 48 forward 50 entries.
Liv Purcell v Emily Bates
Purcell re-wrote the record books last week when she collected the most disposals of any player in Geelong’s short AFLW history.
The 19-year-old had 27 disposals, five marks and four tackles in Round 1 earning herself a place in the AFLW’s Team of the Week.
Emily Bates also had a solid day out for Brisbane with 15 disposals, three marks and four tackles against the Crows.
Bates was taken with the Lions first draft pick back in 2016 and since then has been a consistent performer averaging 16 disposals a game across her four seasons.
Purcell’s pace and ability to break away from stoppages will challenge the experienced Bates.
