Essendon star Bonnie Toogood will be key to the Bombers’ hopes of victory over Gold Coast, and possibly snaring a top-four spot. Photo: AFL MEDIA

GOLD COAST (5-3-1) v ESSENDON (6-3) (Mackay, Friday 6:45pm local time)
With the Bombers in fifth spot and the Suns sixth, results would have to go sideways on the weekend for one of these sides to miss out on finals. For the team that loses this match, it better be by the thinnest of margins. Both Essendon and Gold Coast have been inconsistent recently, but the Bombers gain two big ins this round, with co-captain Steph Cain and pocket rocket Georgia Gee returning to action. The Suns will be crossing every digit that their superstar midfielder Charlie Rowbottom beats the clock to be pronounced fit after her ankle injury last round. While the humidity gives the Suns an edge in their first meeting with the Bombers, Rowbottom at less than 100 per cent match fitness benefits Essendon. But in Jamie Stanton, Tara Bohanna and Jac Dupuy, the Suns have more avenues to goal, which could make the difference in a potential nailbiter.
GIL’S TIP: GOLD COAST

WESTERN BULLDOGS (1-8) v NORTH MELBOURNE (6-3) (Whitten Oval, Saturday 1:05pm local time)
Don’t let these teams’ win-loss records fool you – this is very much a danger game for the Kangaroos. Third-placed North slipping out of the top four is a longshot, but if it loses to the Bulldogs, then it would be in a spot of bother. The Dogs are coming off an emotional high, winning their first match of the season last round against West Coast, while the Kangaroos lost a heartbreaker to Adelaide. North Melbourne will be motivated to win here, and win big, to secure a double chance — which, considering earlier losses this season to other top-four sides, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane, would be handy.
LAST MEETING: North Melbourne won by 15 points
GIL’S TIP: NORTH MELBOURNE

PORT ADELAIDE (1-7-1) v GWS (2-7) (Alberton Oval, Saturday 2:35pm local time)
This match, rightfully, will have the spotlight on retiring Power captain, AFLW legend and three-time premiership Crow Erin Phillips – a foundation player and champion since the league’s inception in 2017. If the motivation to chair her off the ground in victory isn’t enough to fire up the Power in their first meeting with GWS, nothing else will ever be. Forward Gemma Houghton has been in the best form she’s ever been in for the Power and her team has showed serious fight the last two rounds, while GWS has been buoyed by the blooming of new star forward Zarlie Goldsworthy. Look for the Power, though, to end the season with a bang and send Phillips off with a flourish.
GIL’S TIP: PORT ADELAIDE

GEELONG (5-4) v HAWTHORN (3-6) (GMHBA Stadium, Saturday 5:05pm local time)
The Cats must have their claws out from the opening bounce to stay in the eight and earn a finals berth. They must avoid the low-scoring outputs they’ve had in three of the five previous rounds, in which they’ve averaged just 23 points. Connectivity between Geelong’s midfield and forward line must be on song – the Cats have to take advantage of the ball-winning and clearance work from star trio Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison and Amy McDonald. The Hawks, though, won’t make it easy for the Cats, as Emily Bates and Greta Bodey both had blinders in their win last round over Port Adelaide. If Geelong gets off to a hot start in its first ever clash with Hawthorn, it could get ugly for Bec Goddard’s side. Back the Cats to comfortably win.
GIL’S TIP: GEELONG

WEST COAST (2-7) v ADELAIDE (8-1) (Mineral Resources Park, Saturday 2:05pm local time)
Two rounds ago, Melbourne humiliated the Eagles in what looked like the proverbial glorified training run. The Crows, coming off a nailbiting come-from-behind win over the Kangaroos, are guaranteed to finish in the top two and have the firepower to roast the Eagles. And they will clinch the minor premiership if they beat West Coast and Melbourne loses to Brisbane. The Eagles couldn’t sustain the momentum from upsetting the Bombers two rounds ago and last week suffered the ignominy of being the Bulldogs’ first victims of the season. For all intents and purposes, this is a finals tune-up for the Crows, who’ll comfortably win and not only hope to avoid injuries but also that the Lions can upset the Dees to propel them to top spot and earn home ground advantage for the grand final, should they make it that far.
LAST MEETING: Adelaide won by 33 points
GIL’S TIP: ADELAIDE

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BRISBANE (6-3) v MELBOURNE (8-1) (Brighton Homes Arena, Saturday 6:05pm local time)
But if the Demons, they will clinch top spot and the right to potentially host the premiership decider. Lose, and at the very worst, they take second spot, which is still good enough to host a couple of finals at least. With departed Brisbane stars such as Jesse Wardlaw (St Kilda), Emily Bates (Hawthorn) and Greta Bodey (Hawthorn), you can’t help but wonder if the Lions, not Melbourne or Adelaide, would be sitting atop the ladder had those players stayed. Of course, Brisbane could put that to rest by upsetting Melbourne and giving the other top-four sides something to think about in advance of the finals. But in reality, Season 7 runner-up Brisbane is under pressure to hold onto fourth spot, which either Essendon or Gold Coast will snatch if the Lions lose — which, based on how this season has played out, seems likely. Brisbane hopes to welcome back injured stars Sophie Conway and Ruby Svarc, while the Dees, who boast the league’s deepest list, may have key forward Tayla Harris back in the fold. Melbourne defeated the Lions on their home deck in last season’s grand final and are poised to repeat their effort.
LAST MEETING: Melbourne won by 4 points
GIL’S TIP: MELBOURNE

CARLTON (4-5) v ST KILDA (5-4) (Ikon Park, Sunday 1:05pm local time)
The Saints overcame a terrible 0-3 start to now have a decent possibility of making the eight. The form St Kilda is currently in spells trouble for the struggling Blues, who’ve lost their last three matches and are careening toward another losing season. Wardlaw and Jaimee Lambert have been in red-hot form for the Saints, who are up and about after a shock upset of Brisbane, giving them four wins from their last five contests. If St Kilda is victorious, and either Gold Coast, Geelong or Sydney lose, it will qualify for the eight. Senior coach Nick Dal Santo will have his players prepared to get the job done.
LAST MEETING: Carlton won by 27 points
GIL’S TIP: ST KILDA

COLLINGWOOD (5-4) v RICHMOND (4-5) (Victoria Park, Sunday 3:05pm local time)
The Magpies were flying, winning four on the trot until Sydney got the best of them last weekend. Was this a hiccup for Collingwood, or did the Swans’ win signal the Magpies coming back down to earth? From their form from those four rounds, the Sydney loss seems like an anomaly. The Tigers’ injury list is too long for them to put up a serious fight against the Magpies who, with a win and favourable results from other matches, could spring from 10th and into the finals. For Collingwood, it’ll be time once again for Sabrina Frederick, Bri Davey and Mikala Cann to shine.
LAST MEETING: Collingwood won by 38 points
GIL’S TIP: COLLINGWOOD

FREMANTLE (4-5) v SYDNEY (5-4) (Fremantle Oval, Sunday 2:05pm local time)
If results unfold in such a way that make this a must-win match for eighth-placed Sydney, the AFLW season is in for an intriguing crescendo. At 13th on the ladder, the Dockers are a dreaded “mathematical chance” to make the finals, but it’s an extremely unrealistic scenario. The Swans are sorely missing injured ruck Ally Morphett, who’s done for the season, while Fremantle is without star Ebony Antonio, but hopes key forward Aine Tighe will prove her fitness in time. A potential midfield clash between the Dockers’ Kiara Bowers and the Swans’ Laura Gardiner would be highly entertaining. If the Swans win, their ascendance from winless wooden spooners to finalist in the space of 12 months would be one of the most heartwarming stories of the season. But it’s perhaps too big an ask of a second-year club to realise that leap traveling cross-country, missing a big star and lacking overall experience as a unit.
LAST MEETING: Fremantle won by 14 points
GIL TIPS: FREMANTLE