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Finals fever finally hits and the stakes couldn’t be higher. We break down every Round 11 swing that shook the AFLW ladder, from Port Adelaide’s long-awaited Showdown win over the Crows to Brisbane’s gritty nine-point statement against Melbourne. The weekend delivered more than results; it revealed which teams have the system and composure to handle the pressure of September, and which still flinch in big moments.
We start with the turning points that mattered: Port’s defensive shape and time-on control at Norwood Oval, Sydney’s steady climb through the gears against West Coast, and Hawthorn taking full advantage of Essendon’s waste in front of goal. Fremantle’s clean territory game against Richmond, Geelong’s suffocating setup at Mars Stadium, and North Melbourne’s ruthless efficiency against St Kilda each tell a story about form lines and finals readiness. Carlton’s big margin over GWS and Collingwood’s measured win against Gold Coast round out a weekend where disciplined structures beat chaos and scoreboard pressure won early.
Then we look ahead to a decisive final round. Can Brisbane travel and still lock the game in their front half against Collingwood? Will North’s high floor and even spread protect top spot in a heavyweight clash? Do Sydney have the control to push Adelaide to the brink, and can Geelong’s defensive grid stall Melbourne’s corridor chains at GMHBA? We call the key matchups, outline who must win to survive, and flag the tactical levers that separate real contenders: conversion under pressure, stoppage craft, and repeat inside-50s.
If you’re riding the AFLW wave into finals, this is your guide to what matters and why. Hit follow, share the episode with a friend who lives for ladder maths, and drop your top four and flag tip in the comments—who’s peaking at the right time?

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