Heartbreak was the tale of last week for the Southern Saints.

In trying conditions, the red, white and black battled hard in the incredibly tense affair, but were unable to come away with the win after Collingwood kicked away late.

But with a second chance and their premiership ambitions unchanging, Peta Searle’s women will be intent on turning last week’s dejection into elation.

With their finals hopes in the balance, the Saints will leave nothing in the tank when they take on Melbourne University at Adcon Stadium.

Last time they met: 

SOUTHERN SAINTS  1.2  1.3  4.7  6.13 (49)  
MELBOURNE UNI  1.2  2.2  2.3  3.3 (21)

Tilly Lucas-Rodd starred last time the Saints and Mugars met.

The Southern Saints locked away its third consecutive win after knocking off Melbourne Uni at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval back in Round 6. 

Peta Searle’s women trailed at the major break, but overcame their sluggish start to pile on five goals to one in the second half.

Former Blue Tilly Lucas-Rodd was exceptional with 27 disposals and six marks, while Jacqui Vogt (three tackles, one goal) and Leah Olsen (14 disposals, five marks) were influential in the win.

Key forwards Kate Shierlaw and Caitlin Greiser also booted two goals apiece to begin the Saints’ rise up the ladder.

What it means:

It’s simply do or die for the Southern Saints, with their finals hopes resting in the outcome of the match.

While a loss spells an end to a scintillating 2019 campaign, a victory over Melbourne Uni will see the red, white and black advance to the preliminary final to face either Collingwood or the Western Bulldogs.

The stat: 

The Southern Saints recorded 82 marks against Melbourne Uni last time they met, winning the count by 24.

It led to a similar advantage in the inside-50s (49-28), with many of the Saints’ marks taken inside the attacking arc.

Tara Bohana, Ali Brown, Clara Fitzpatrick, Lucas-Rodd, Shierlaw and Vogt each reeled in a team-high six marks for the afternoon.

Should the Saints have control in the air, it will go a long way in keeping their finals campaign alive.

The match-up: 

Jenna Bruton has been one of the best players in the VFLW this season.

Two of the league’s premier midfielders are likely to go head-to-head on Sunday afternoon, with Ali Drennan and Jenna Bruton set for battle.

The reining AFLW Club Champion for North Melbourne has averaged 22 disposals for the season, racking up a season-high 30 touches and six tackles against the Southern Saints.

Drennan has been just as impressive for the Southern Saints, leading her side to many victories off the back of her toughness and incredible work ethic.

The co-captain missed this season’s earlier encounter against the Mugars and has been quiet in recent weeks.

A huge semi-final performance may just change the conversation.

It’s a big week for:

Caitlin Greiser will come up against her former side for the second time in Season 2019 and will be intent on furthering the Southern Saints’ finals hopes.

The former soccer striker highlighted her marking and potency in front of goal with two majors back in Round 6, but missed out on a hefty bag after unlucky misses took her final tally to 2.5.

Greiser was held goalless last week and will be determined to fire against the black and blue.

Tilly Lucas-Rodd is also poised for a huge outing after being one of the best afield in last week’s qualifying final loss.

The 23-year-old racked up a team-high 24 disposals and clunked four marks in blustery conditions.

Game Day Information

GETTING THERE

Trams and buses will be running to Adcon Stadium (North Port Oval) all throughout the day.  Visit PTV to work out what time you'll arrive at the ground.

BROADCAST

Listen to the game on Women’s Australian Rules Football Radio on RSN Carnival 2, 1116 SEN and through the Official VFL/VFLW app.  

The game will be streamed live through the Official VFL/VFLW app and on vfl.com.au.