2018 AFL Women's season

Three rules were changed heading into the 2018 season:{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-12-13/lasttouch-rule-confirmed-for-aflw-in-2018|title=Last-touch rule confirmed for AFLW in 2018|last=Edwards|first=Nat|date=13 December 2017|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|access-date=1 February 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/three-new-rules-will-take-effect-in-the-aflw-in-2018-but-they-havent-all-been-received-well/news-story/642cc66607d637aca17250f3a1440a55|title=Three new rules will take effect in the AFLW in 2018 — but they haven't all been received well|last=Olle|first=Sarah|date=14 December 2017|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=1 February 2018}}

• A free kick is paid against a player who last touches the ball before it goes out of bounds under the following conditions,

:*A free kick will be awarded against a player who kicks or handballs the football over the boundary line without the football being touched by another player;

:*Except where a player who does not have possession stops the football being touched by an opposition player by shepherding the football across the boundary line where the football could have otherwise been touched.

:*If in doubt the umpires are instructed to throw the ball in.

• The interchange has been reduced to five players from six players in 2017.
• Time-on will occur during the last two minutes of each quarter.

{{mapbox|from=AFLW grounds 2018.map|text=Map of the grounds used during the 2018 AFLW season|text-left=yes}}

The full fixture was released on Friday 27 October 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-27/fixture-reveal-blockbuster-to-open-new-aflw-season|title=AFLW fixture reveal: Massive R1 to open 2018|publisher=Australian Football League|date=27 October 2017|access-date=27 October 2017}} Notable features of the draw include:

• Unlike the previous season, there were no double-headers with men's preseason matches.{{cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Matt|last2=King|first2=Travis|title=AFL releases fixture for JLT Community Series|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-10-26/afl-releases-fixture-for-jlt-series|website=afl.com.au|publisher=Australian Football League|access-date=26 October 2017|date=26 October 2017}}
• {{AFLW|Ade}}, {{AFLW|Fre}}, {{AFLW|GWS}} and {{AFLW|Mel}} each played four home games, while the other four clubs played three.
• Adelaide, {{AFLW|Col}}, GWS, and Melbourne each hosted matches at grounds outside of their home metropolitan area with trips to Darwin, Moe, Canberra and Alice Springs respectively.
• Carlton and Collingwood featured in the most free-to-air televised matches (three), Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs had two each, while GWS and Fremantle had one each.
• Many games were scheduled for the late afternoon to avoid the summer heat, especially in Brisbane and Western Australia.{{cite news|last1=Paxinos|first1=Stathi|title=AFL Women's fixture: Pies, Blues to fire up historic first season|url=http://www.theage.com.au/afl/womens-afl/afl-womens-fixture-historic-competition-starts-in-february-2017-20161208-gt7d7j.html|access-date=28 October 2017|work=The Age|publisher=Fairfax|date=9 December 2016}}
• All starting times are local.

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 1}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 2 February (7:40 pm)|{{AFLW|Car}}|3.4 (22)|H|{{AFLW|Col}}|2.2 (14)|Ikon Park|19,852|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-02/match-report-blues-edge-pies-in-pulsating-aflw-opener Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 February (5:05 pm)|{{AFLW|Mel}}|7.3 (45)|H|{{AFLW|GWS}}|6.3 (39)|Casey Fields|5,100|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-03/match-report-demons-win-after-giant-fright Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 February (6:45 pm)|{{AFLW|Ade}}|3.1 (19)|A|{{AFLW|Bri}}|4.7 (31)|Norwood Oval|11,120|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-03/match-report-lions-get-aflw-revenge-over-crows Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 4 February (4:35 pm)|{{AFLW|WB}}|7.7 (49)|H|{{AFLW|Fre}}|3.5 (23)|VU Whitten Oval|8,500|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-04/match-report-dogs-too-good-for-dockers Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 2}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 9 February (7:05 pm)|{{AFLW|GWS}}|1.3 (9)|A|{{AFLW|Car}}|3.12 (30)|Drummoyne Oval|4,952|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-09/aflw-storm-suspends-giants-blues-clash Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 February (5:05 pm)|{{AFLW|Mel}}|8.8 (56)|H|{{AFLW|Ade}}|4.0 (24)|Casey Fields|3,800|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-10/aflw-match-report-melbourne-v-adelaide Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 February (4:10 pm)|{{AFLW|Fre}}|6.4 (40)|H|{{AFLW|Col}}|4.3 (27)|Optus Stadium|41,975|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-10/match-report-freo-too-good-for-pies-at-new-home Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 11 February (3:35 pm)|{{AFLW|Bri}}|3.6 (24)|A|{{AFLW|WB}}|5.3 (33)|South Pine Sports Complex|5,300|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-11/match-report-dogs-stay-perfect-against-lions Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• The {{AFLW|Fre}} vs {{AFLW|Col}} match was the first football event played at the newly-constructed Perth Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2017-09-19/aflw-dockers-get-first-crack-at-perth-stadium|title=AFLW Dockers get first crack at Perth Stadium|publisher=Telstra Media|work=AFL.com.au|first=Sarah|last=Black|date=19 September 2017|access-date=27 October 2017}} It was also the only ticketed match of the season and all 54,000 available tickets were sold in advance of the match.{{cite news|title=AFL women's clash set to make history in Perth with record crowd at new stadium|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/afl-womens-clash-set-to-make-history-in-perth-with-record-crowd-at-new-stadium-20180209-h0vu3t.html|access-date=9 February 2018|work=WA Today|publisher=Fairfax Media|date=9 February 2018}}

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 3}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 February (1:35 pm)|{{AFLW|Ade}}|6.5 (41)|H|{{AFLW|WB}}|5.4 (34)|Norwood Oval|4,900|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-17/aflw-match-report-adelaide-v-western-bulldogs Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 February (7:40 pm)|{{AFLW|Car}}|2.6 (18)|A|{{AFLW|Bri}}|6.4 (40)|Ikon Park|6,200|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-17/match-report-lions-win-to-stay-in-aflw-hunt Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 February (4:35 pm)|{{AFLW|Col}}|5.5 (35)|A|{{AFLW|GWS}}|7.6 (48)|Olympic Park Oval|3,600|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-18/match-report-giants-edge-pies-for-first-win Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 February (3:35 pm)|{{AFLW|Fre}}|6.0 (36)|H|{{AFLW|Mel}}|4.7 (31)|Fremantle Oval|3,125|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-18/match-report-dockers-knock-off-demons Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 4}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 23 February (7:05 pm)|{{AFLW|WB}}|12.14 (86)|H|{{AFLW|Car}}|2.1 (13)|VU Whitten Oval|8,987|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-23/match-report-breakout-dog-destroys-blues Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 February (3:35 pm)|{{AFLW|Bri}}|3.4 (22)|H|{{AFLW|Fre}}|2.3 (15)|South Pine Sports Complex|1,500|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-24/match-report-lions-down-dockers-in-wet Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 February (5:40 pm)|{{AFLW|Mel}}|3.6 (24)|A|{{AFLW|Col}}|9.4 (58)|TIO Traeger Park|2,000|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-24/aflw-match-report-hot-pies-bake-poor-dees Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 25 February (4:35 pm)|{{AFLW|GWS}}|2.7 (19)|D|{{AFLW|Ade}}|2.7 (19)|Blacktown International Sportspark|2,409| [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-25/aflw-match-report-gws-crows-in-dramatic-draw Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

• The Western Bulldogs' score of 12.14 (86) was, at the time, the highest score in a AFL Women's premiership match.{{cite web|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-02-23/match-report-breakout-dog-destroys-blues|title=Breakout Dog destroys Blues|publisher=Telstra Media|work=AFL.com.au|first=Dinny|last=Navaratnam|access-date=23 February 2018|date=23 February 2018}}
• Brooke Lochland's seven goals in the match against {{AFLW|Car}} is the most of any AFL Women's player in a single match to date.
• Lauren Arnell kicked Carlton's entire score of 2.1 (13)

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 5}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 2 March (7:05 pm)|{{AFLW|Mel}}|4.10 (34)|H|{{AFLW|Bri}}|4.4 (28)|Casey Fields|2,100|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-02/aflw-match-report-dees-get-back-on-track Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 March (2:05 pm)|{{AFLW|Fre}}|3.3 (21)|A|{{AFLW|GWS}}|6.3 (39)|Fremantle Oval|2,571|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-03/match-report-giants-stay-in-aflw-race Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 3 March (6:40 pm)|{{AFLW|Ade}}|8.7 (55)|H|{{AFLW|Car}}|2.8 (20)|Norwood Oval|5,970|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-03/aflw-match-report-injury-woe-mars-crows-win Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 4 March (2:35 pm)|{{AFLW|Col}}|6.5 (41)|A|{{AFLW|WB}}|7.7 (49)|Ted Summerton Reserve|2,700|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-04/aflw-match-report-collingwood-v-western-bulldogs Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 6}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 9 March (5:35 pm)|{{AFLW|Ade}}|6.4 (40)|H|{{AFLW|Fre}}|5.6 (36)|TIO Stadium|2,159|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-09/aflw-match-report-crows-stay-in-title-hunt Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 March (3:35 pm)|{{AFLW|Bri}}|5.9 (39)|A|{{AFLW|Col}}|8.5 (53)|Moreton Bay Central Sports Complex|2,600|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-10/aflw-match-report-brisbane-v-collingwood Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 10 March (7:10 pm)|{{AFLW|GWS}}|7.4 (46)|H|{{AFLW|WB}}|4.4 (28)|UNSW Canberra Oval|4,146|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-10/aflw-match-report-giants-surge-past-dogs Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 11 March (4:35 pm)|{{AFLW|Car}}|3.4 (22)|A|{{AFLW|Mel}}|8.9 (57)|Ikon Park|6,300|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-11/aflw-match-report-carlton-v-melbourne Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Round 7}}

{{AFLGame|Friday, 16 March (7:05 pm)|{{AFLW|GWS}}|3.6 (24)|A|{{AFLW|Bri}}|10.4 (64)|Blacktown International Sportspark|2,253|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-16/aflw-match-report-lions-alive-in-gf-race Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 March (2:05 pm)|{{AFLW|Fre}}|9.5 (59)|H|{{AFLW|Car}}|6.12 (48)|Fremantle Oval|2,751|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-17/aflw-match-report-dockers-dodge-spoon Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 17 March (7:10 pm)|{{AFLW|WB}}|5.3 (33)|H|{{AFLW|Mel}}|4.7 (31)|VU Whitten Oval|7,593|[http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-17/aflw-match-report-dogs-lock-in-gf-spot Report]}}

{{AFLGame|Sunday, 18 March (2:35 pm)|{{AFLW|Col}}|8.5 (53)|H|{{AFLW|Ade}}|4.8 (32)|Olympic Park Oval|2,300| [http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-18/aflw-match-report-pies-end-crows-charge Report]}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=WDL

|loss_before_draw=true|for_against_style=points|use_goal_percentage=yes

|winpoints=4|drawpoints=2

|update=complete

|source=[http://www.afl.com.au/womens AFL.com.au]

|team1=WEB |win_WEB=5 |loss_WEB=2 |draw_WEB=0|pf_WEB=312|pa_WEB=219

|team2=BRI |win_BRI=4 |loss_BRI=3 |draw_BRI=0|pf_BRI=248|pa_BRI=196

|team3=MEL |win_MEL=4 |loss_MEL=3 |draw_MEL=0|pf_MEL=278|pa_MEL=240

|team4=GWS |win_GWS=3 |loss_GWS=3 |draw_GWS=1|pf_GWS=224|pa_GWS=242

|team5=ADE |win_ADE=3 |loss_ADE=3 |draw_ADE=1|pf_ADE=230|pa_ADE=249

|team6=COL |win_COL=3 |loss_COL=4 |draw_COL=0|pf_COL=281|pa_COL=254

|team7=FRE |win_FRE=3 |loss_FRE=4 |draw_FRE=0|pf_FRE=230|pa_FRE=256

|team8=CAR |win_CAR=2 |loss_CAR=5 |draw_CAR=0|pf_CAR=173|pa_CAR=320

|name_ADE=Adelaide

|name_BRI=Brisbane

|name_CAR=Carlton

|name_COL=Collingwood

|name_FRE=Fremantle

|name_GWS=Greater Western Sydney

|name_MEL=Melbourne

|name_WEB=Western Bulldogs|status_WEB=P

|status_text_P=Premiers

|class_rules = 1) points; 2) percentage; 3) number of points for.

|result1=Q |result2=Q

|res_col_header=Q

|col_Q=green2 |text_Q=Grand Final

}}

• Numbers highlighted in green indicates the team finished the round inside the top 2.
• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the team finished in first place on the ladder in that round.
• Numbers highlighted in red indicates the team finished in last place on the ladder in that round.

{{main|2018 AFL Women's Grand Final}}

In the absence of a finals series, the two teams who finished the highest on the ladder at the end of the home and away season played in the AFL Women's Grand Final.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/your-ultimate-guide-to-the-inaugural-afl-womens-competition-including-predictions-full-fixture/news-story/daa82cc47006c7a9f6835e7d82927a53|title=Your ultimate guide to the inaugural AFL Women's competition including predictions, full fixture|date=2 February 2017|work=Fox Sports (Australia)|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=4 February 2017}}

{{AFLGameHeader|title=Grand Final}}

{{AFLGame|Saturday, 24 March (12:35 pm)|{{AFLW|WB}}|4.3 (27)|H|{{AFLW|Bri}}|3.3 (21)|Ikon Park|7,083|}}

{{AFLGameFooter|notes=

}}

{{Australian rules football win–loss table legend}}

• The league best and fairest was awarded to Emma Kearney.{{cite news|title=Emma Kearney named AFLW best and fairest but future with Dogs unclear|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/mar/28/emma-kearney-named-aflw-best-and-fairest-but-future-with-dogs-unclear|access-date=6 April 2018|work=the Guardian|agency=Australian Associated Press|date=27 March 2018|language=en}}
• The leading goalkicker was awarded to Brooke Lochland of the {{AFLW|WB}}, who kicked twelve goals during the home and away season.
• The Rising Star was awarded to Chloe Molloy.
• The best on ground in the AFL Women's Grand Final was awarded to Monique Conti.{{cite news|last1=Cherny|first1=Daniel|title=Grand final star Conti's juggling act continues|url=https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/grand-final-star-conti-s-juggling-act-continues-20180324-p4z635.html|access-date=6 April 2018|work=The Age|date=24 March 2018|language=en}}
• The goal of the year was awarded to Aliesha Newman.
• The mark of the year was awarded to Tayla Harris.
• The minor premiership was awarded to {{AFLW|WB}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.afl.com.au/news/2018-03-17/aflw-match-report-dogs-lock-in-gf-spot|title=AFLW match report: Bulldogs lock in GF spot|last=Matthews|first=Bruce|date=17 March 2018|work=AFL.com.au|publisher=Telstra Media|access-date=22 March 2018}}
• AFLW Players Association awards
• The most valuable player was awarded to Courtney Gum.{{cite news|title=By Gum, Courtney wins major AFLW award - Nine Wide World of Sports|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/2018/03/26/14/18/by-gum-courtney-wins-major-aflw-award|access-date=6 April 2018|work=wwos.nine.com.au|language=en}}
• The most courageous player was awarded to Chelsea Randall.
• The best captain was awarded to Daisy Pearce.
• The best first year player was awarded to Chloe Molloy.
• Chelsea Randall was named the captain of the 2018 AFL Women's All-Australian team. The grand finalists, Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions, along with Melbourne each had 4 players selected, with all eight clubs represented in the final team by at least one player.{{cite news|title=AFLW All-Australian team 2018: Chelsea Randall captain, four Bulldogs named|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/aflw-allaustralian-side-2018-chelsea-randall-captain-four-bulldogs-named/news-story/6df4632ba6c61aee67074154d6d20e4f?nk=1b7349cf11c83d831d62c6b69708376e-1523027599|access-date=6 April 2018|work=Fox Sports|date=27 March 2018|first=Lauren|last=Wood}}
• The wooden spoon was "awarded" to {{AFLW|Car}}.{{cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/womens-afl/carlton-parts-ways-with-aflw-coach-damien-keeping-after-the-blues-claimed-the-wooden-spoon/news-story/3a8b0b7e84428671cbb63f611b997d01|title=Carlton parts ways with AFLW coach Damien Keeping after the Blues claimed the wooden spoon|last=Harrington|first=Anna|date=20 March 2018|work=Fox Sports Australia|publisher=News Corp Australia|access-date=22 March 2018}}

• Numbers highlighted in blue indicates the player led the season's goal kicking tally at the end of that round.
• Underlined numbers indicates the player did not play that round.

• 2017 AFL Women's draft

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://womens.afl/ Official AFL Women's website]

{{2018 AFL Women's season}}

{{AFL Women's}}

Category:AFL Women's seasons

Category:2018 in Australian rules football