Mel & Gemma break down the first half of the season, including most enjoyable teams to watch, who has been disappointing, and which players have caught the eye, while also previewing two massive round seven games: Geelong v Hawthorn & Melbourne v North Melbourne.

Which team is the in-form side of the competition, what are the Cats getting right, and why a traditional AFLW rivalry now looks different.

Recommended reading: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-15/mick-stinear-effect-geelong-aflw/107151114

In our first interview episode, three-time Adelaide premiership player Anne Hatchard joins us to chat about her move to Gold Coast, becoming a mum - to both daughter Dallas and her young teammates - and just how far the Suns can go this year.

The numbers making St Kilda’s fall especially stark, why Hawthorn v the Western Bulldogs is a game with plenty to prove, and Hickey’s ladder predictor.

A look at what specifically has improved for Richmond this year, why the Demons look like an older version of themselves, and why Yartapuulti v Gold Coast is going to be box office footy.

On this week’s episode we chat about what’s going wrong for the Eagles, how Melbourne has kept its spark alive despite so much chance, what to expect from Melbourne v Brisbane in round three, and Hickey’s Hot Take.

We discuss Jacqui Dupuy’s influence on the Hawks, why Adelaide v Sydney was game of the round, why Melbourne v GWS is way more interesting than initially thought, and Hickey’s Hot Take.

We look back at the success of the season opener on the Marvel Stadium deck, Mel’s accurate call that Tyanna Smith would be a ‘level up player’ this year, how Geelong beats the Roos, and which game is the most curious of the round.

We’re kicking everything off with a reflection on last weekend’s Australia v Ireland match, some key injuries heading into round one, what the new ruck rules mean for the AFLW, and Sunday’s season opener between St Kilda and Carlton.