Our AFLW experts tackle some of the burning questions ahead of the AFLW Grand Final, including which team will lift up the cup, and our picks for best on ground honours.
Who wins the Grand Final and why?
Marissa Lordanic: My heart wants the Daisy narrative to get up and for this legend to (potentially) go out in the way she deserves to. My head however thinks that Brisbane's best is fractionally better than Melbourne's and the Lions will lift the cup at the end of the day.
Sarah Burt: Brisbane. The Lions' defence will be hard to beat, and without having to travel and the advantage of having seen the ground before, I think they'll pull through -- just.
Jesse Robinson: The Lions will get it done comfortably at "home". I'd love the Dees to get it done for Daisy, Brisbane have looked a class above this year with the only blip this season coming against Richmond, who they comfortably dispatched when it counted in Finals.
Who wins Best on Ground?
ML: Ally Anderson for me.
SB: Ally Anderson.
JR: The Demons would be wise to put time into Ally Anderson, who has quietly been the Lion's best this year, that should free up Emily Bates to run free and control the game for Brisbane and dish out score assists to the dangerous Brisbane forwards.
What will be the best storyline out of the Grand Final?
ML: After a tightly contested match, the Lions and Dees require a period of extra time to be separated.
SB: Brisbane celebrate their Grand Final win at their brand new home base.
JR: Daisy plays on. Despite a disappointing defeat, and the world trying to retire her, it's not the last we see of Daisy Pearce.
Who is your Best and Fairest?
ML: After agonising between Mon Conti and Jas Garner, I was reminded that joint winners aren't only a thing but something that has happened before when awarding the AFLW's Best and Fairest. Both have been sensational for their respective clubs and while their teammates may pinch some votes from them, ultimately I think they will both rise to the top.
SB: Jasmine Garner is one of the greatest players the competition has seen, and her stats speak for themselves. She won the AFLCA Champion Player Award for the second time earlier this month, the only player to ever do so. This season she's averaged 22.8 disposals (with an efficiency of 67.6), 4.2 marks, 5.2 tackles, as well as 5.2 inside 50s. She's talented in both the midfield and forward line and although her and Mon Conti were neck and neck most of the season, I think her consistency and the impact she had on the results of her team this season seeing them go the furthest they ever have in the finals series is a testament to the player she is.
JR: The smart play is Jasmine Garner but my Best and Fairest is a tie between Mon Conti and Eb Marinoff. The second joint winners of the Best and Fairest after dominant seasons.
Who is your Rising Star?
ML: Tahlia Gillard, Melbourne. She's probably flown slightly under the radar thanks to her position; defenders rarely get the love they deserve as they'll tell you. But the Dee has been contributing to one of the best defences in the comp and has helped her team to a Grand Final berth.
SB: Abbey Dowrick, Port Adelaide. The midfielder played all ten games this season and her consistency was key. She averaged 14.4 disposals with 61.8% efficiency, 2.1 marks and 6.1 tackles. These stats are very impressive for such a young player and she continuously made an impact on every game. The future is bright!
JR: Ella Roberts, West Coast. She was my pre season pick for rising star and I'm sticking to it, she has been a gun in a struggling Eagles side at just 17, but a special mention to Jas Fleming who was also outstanding this season.