AFLW Round 1 Teams, lineups, fixtures, predictions, results, tips, odds, scores everything you need to know for the round of football

The 2021 AFLW season kicks off this week! Stay abreast of all the Round 1 fixtures, tips, news, results and reaction as they come to hand.

Jump ahead to a particular game (desktop only):

FRIDAY, JANUARY 7

St Kilda vs. Richmond, Skybus Stadium, 7:15pm (AEDT)

Team news: Both teams have named an abundance of new faces for this year's season opener. St Kilda will be without Molly McDonald, Kate Shierlaw and Nicola Xenos due to health and safety protocols, but Olivia Vesely will line up for her first game since the 2020 season, while Lucy Burke, Alana Woodward and Leah Cutting are all in line to make their Saints debut. Two-time St Kilda best and fairest winner Georgia Patrikios remains on the active list but unavailable to play due to her vaccination status. The Tigers have also named three AFLW debutants, while offseason recruits Poppy Kelly, Maddie Shevlin, Jess Hosking and Beth Lynch will also don the yellow and black for the first time.

ESPN tip: Tigers by 21 points

SATURDAY, JANUARY 8

North Melbourne vs. Geelong, Arden Street Oval, 5:10pm (AEDT)

Team news: In what is a massive blow for the home side, skipper Emma Kearney is currently isolating with COVID-19, and she will unfortunately miss Round 1. The Roos have given the nod to two draftees in Tess Craven and Jasmine Ferguson, while Kim Rennie and Amy Smith will also pull on the jumper. Mainstay Sophie Abbatangelo has not been named. For the Cats, Nina Morrison is good to go, as is sister of Carlton star Maddy Prespakis, Georgie. A number of Cats will make their club debut, too, with Chloe Scheer, Zali Friswell, Annabel Johnson, Chantel Emonson, Rachel Kearns, and Olivia Fuller all named.

ESPN tip: North by 17 points

Western Bulldogs vs. Melbourne, VU Whitten Oval, 7:00pm (AEDT)

Team news: The Demons will be close to full strength when they take on fellow AFLW pioneer club the Western Bulldogs on Saturday, meaning high-profile recruit and All-Australian forward Tayla Harris will make her club (re!)debut. Former No. 1 draft pick Gabby Newton has been sidelined by a shoulder injury and won't feature for the Dogs this season, while veteran Hannah Scott has also been left out. Rocky Cranston will play her first game for the club.

ESPN tip: Demons by 14 points

Fremantle vs. West Coast, Fremantle Oval, 8:50pm (AEDT)

Team news: The Dockers have named six debutants for the western derby, with Ann McMahon, Aine Tighe, Jess Low, Airlie Runnalls, Dana East and Makaela Tuhakaraina to pull on the jumper, while according to womens.afl, the Eagles will be at full strength after a strong preseason and have the full 30 to choose from.

ESPN tip: Dockers by 10 points

SUNDAY, JANUARY 9

Adelaide vs. Brisbane, Flinders University Stadium, 2:10pm (AEDT)

Team news: Dual premiership defender Deni Varnhagen's AFLW future remains clouded due to her refusal to be vaccinated, so will not feature in the Grand Final replay. Meanwhile, young Lion Lily Postlethwaite was ruled inactive for the upcoming season after rupturing her ACL in 2021.

ESPN tip: Lions by 7 points

Carlton vs. Collingwood, Ikon Park, 4:10pm (AEDT)

Team news: TBA

ESPN tip: Magpies by 8 points

Gold Coast vs. GWS, Great Barrier Reef Arena, 6:10pm (AEDT)