Bombers Daria Bannister (left) and Bonnie Toogood celebrate a goal in Round 1 against Hawthorn. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

While on paper, the heavyweight bout of the round appears to be the Richmond-Adelaide clash, don’t write off the other eight contests. After all, two of last weekend’s three most thrilling matches involved non-finalists from last season, as both the Carlton-Gold Coast and Sydney-GWS battles went down to the wire.

The Suns and Eagles have played some thrillers against each other, while the Swans will be riding a wave of euphoria from their first-ever victory when they host an increasingly confident Geelong side. Last season’s grand finalists Brisbane and also the Western Bulldogs will be keen to get back on the winners’ list, while a remade St Kilda outfit is out to atone for a dismal performance last round.

RICHMOND v ADELAIDE (IKON Park, Friday 5.05 pm local time)
It took a resourceful Tigers side to exercise all their resilience to rally late to pip the Lions, last season’s runners-up, by a goal, with ball-winner Mon Conti shining, goalkicker Katie Brennan firing, and the G-Train, Caitlin Greiser, rumbling as Brennan’s foil. But evergreen flag threat Adelaide has too strong a spine for most other teams to match with, with Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff dominating contested possessions, Chelsea Randall directing the troops from the backline, and new talent Yvonne Bonner kicking goals. Niamh Kelly was a revelation as a ball-magnet last round and looks to build on her stellar form.
Last time they met: Season 7, Round 2, Adelaide won by 9 points
GIL TIPS: ADELAIDE

GOLD COAST v WEST COAST (Heritage Bank Stadium, Saturday 11.05 am local time)
These two sides have played some entertaining tussles over the last few seasons on opposite sides of the country. This time may be a bit different, though. The Suns made a brave, late charge last round against the Blues, while the Eagles looked wasteful and lethargic against the Dockers. Gold Coast has a good nucleus of talent that appears to be improving each year, while West Coast hasn’t yet burst forth with its play over the course of a full season to suggest a breakout year is on the cards. Gold Coast is at home and will ride the momentum from last weekend’s grandstand finish, to handily win.
Last time they met: Season 7, Round 2, Gold Coast won by 33 points
GIL TIPS: GOLD COAST

PORT ADELAIDE v BRISBANE (Alberton Oval, Saturday 1.05 pm local time)
Both these sides lost their respective matches last week — the nascent Power were blitzed by the Crows in a Showdown, and the Lions were upset by the Tigers, a young, hungry flag hopeful. The Power were well and truly in their contest, with star forwards Gemma Houghton and Ash Saint clicking, but that was only for one strong quarter. That doesn’t bode well for their match against a far more experienced opponent still smarting from losing last season’s Grand Final, seeing three of its brightest stars depart, and dropping a home season-opener. Last season’s best and fairest winner, Brisbane’s Ally Anderson hasn’t missed a beat and teammate Dakota Davidson remains a strong spearhead. Expect to hear the Lions’ mighty roar often in this one.
Last time they met: First AFLW meeting between the two clubs
GIL TIPS: BRISBANE

SYDNEY v GEELONG (North Sydney Oval, Saturday 1.05 pm local time)
Good on the Swannies for finally saluting after 10 previous unsuccessful tries, in front of their home fans, no less. Ally Morphett, Aliesha Newman, and Rebecca Privatelli all lifted to drag Sydney over the line, but last season’s most improved club, the Cats, aren’t about to be upset by the Bloods, especially not after riding a tidal wave of momentum after smashing a fellow finalist, the Doggies, last round. Geelong’s Georgie Prespakis and Amy McDonald are increasingly forming one of the comp’s deadliest ball-winning duos and should dominate clearances in the middle and set up their forward line with plenty of scoring shots.
Last time they met: Season 7, Rd 10 — Geelong won by 75 points
GIL TIPS: GEELONG

PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO THRIVE BY BECOMING AN OFFICIAL FOOTYOLOGY PATRON. JUST CLICK THIS LINK.

WESTERN BULLDOGS v HAWTHORN (Mars Stadium, Sunday 1.05 pm local time)
The Doggies managed only 17 points against the Cats last week and Ellie Blackburn was the only player on her side to earn any AFL Coaches Association votes, while the Hawks fell to their expansion cousins, the Bombers. Look for the Doggies’ experience — and a bit of mongrel from their loss last week — to propel them to bully the young Hawks, still deficient in their contested ball skills, into submission.
Last time they met: Season 7, Round 4, Western Bulldogs won by 30 points
GIL TIPS: WESTERN BULLDOGS

COLLINGWOOD v FREMANTLE (Victoria Park, Sunday 1.05 pm local time)
Tough match to tip here, with the Pies playing well last week for a half against reigning premier Melbourne, before completely falling away, while the Dockers won a war of attrition against a wasteful West Coast side, which last season was weak. Fremantle hopes to get a “Turbo” charge if the aptly nicknamed superstar Kiara Bowers can return to action from knee soreness which last week made her a late withdrawal. Bowers potentially matching up on Pies’ megastar Brianna Davey, who last week had one of the comp’s best performances, would be as intriguing as it would be entertaining. The Pies’ midfield has taken a hit with off-season defections, which benefits the Dockers, who have played well at Victoria Park.
Last time they met: Season 7, Round 8 — Collingwood won by 29 points
GIL TIPS: FREMANTLE

NORTH MELBOURNE v CARLTON (Arden Street Oval, Sunday 3.05 pm local time)
The real Darcy Vescio, the Carlton superstar savant of the competition, flexed their muscles last round in a narrow win over Gold Coast. As heartening as that was to watch for AFLW fans, Vescio can’t do it themselves against an opponent as talent laden as the Kangaroos. Truth is, the science isn’t far enough advanced to clone a fair number of Vescio copies to compete with the likes of North champions such as ball-magnets Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell, ruck-forward Emma King, and contested marker and goalkicker Tahlia Randall. The Roos will make a triumphant return to Arden Street.
Last time they met: Season 6, Round 4 — North Melbourne won by 30 points
GIL TIPS: NORTH MELBOURNE

ESSENDON v ST KILDA (Windy Hill, Sunday 3.05pm local time)
The Saints, the biggest winners at the last off-season AFLW trade table, adding three bona fide, big-name stars to their best 16, had easily the worst showing of any club in the comp last round, scoring a league-low 16 points, from a paltry two major scores. The Bombers, the best of last year’s expansion sides, are coming off a win and playing at home, riding stellar performances by Madison Prespakis, Steph Cain, and Bonnie Toogood, but the Saints, for all their struggles, bring experience to this party. Something is truly wrong if St Kilda isn’t champing at the bit to redeem itself after an embarrassing opening round, which is why the Saints will dig deep and win.
Last time they met: First AFLW meeting between the two clubs
GIL TIPS: ST KILDA

GWS v MELBOURNE (Manuka Oval, Sunday 5.05pm local time)
After watching this absolutely loaded side last round, you could easily get the impression that the ruthless Demons are on a mission to smash the competition, week in and week out. There were no passengers last round in Melbourne’s all-in roasting of the Pies, which frankly should scare the hell out of the comp. The young Giants are reasonably talented but are coming off a Sydney Derby loss. Melbourne has a fast and furious run-and-gun style which can leave rivals exhausted in their wake, but it also can beat opponents with grunt in the middle and muscle in the backline and goalsquare. The Demons remain the comp standard bearers and should handily win.
Last time they met: Season 6, Round 6 — Melbourne won by 37 points
GIL TIPS: MELBOURNE