Kate Hore and her Melbourne teammates are going to provide Hawthorn with its biggest test of the season so far. Photo: AFL MEDIA

HAWTHORN (1-2) v MELBOURNE (3-0) (Kinetic Stadium – Frankston, Friday 5:05pm local time)
The way the juggernaut Demons are traveling so far, it would take an act of divine intervention to slow them down. Melbourne has been bedevilling the opposition by out-hunting it for the ball and utilising crisp and quick ball movement. Their depth in all areas of the ground means the Dees can cover for any significant outs, whether it’s Paxy Paxman through the middle of the ground a few rounds ago, or perhaps on the wing this week, with Alyssa Bannan in doubt with a sore ankle. The second-year Hawks, though, will be without goalkickers Sarah Perkins and ex-Demon Tegan Cunningham for several weeks. Melbourne wins more than comfortably.
Last meeting: N/A (first meeting)
GIL’S TIP: MELBOURNE

GWS (0-3) v ADELAIDE (3-0) (Manuka Oval, Saturday 11:05am local time)
The Crows remain a perennial powerhouse of the competition and the struggling Giants are catching them at exactly the wrong time. To make matters worse for GWS, it will be sorely missing star midfielder Alicia Eva, one of their best ball-winners, because of suspension. The Giants don’t have the personnel to counter ball magnets Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard, they lack the goalkicking firepower the Crows’ Caitlin Gould and Danielle Ponter bring, and with the equal-worst defence in the comp, they’re ill-suited to weather the coming assault on the scoreboard.
Last meeting: Round 5, Season 7 – Adelaide won by 96 points
GIL’S TIP: ADELAIDE

CARLTON (2-1) v RICHMOND (2-1) (Ikon Park, Saturday 1:05pm local time)
Make no mistake, though their win-loss records are identical, it’s the Tigers – not the Blues – who are squarely in the finals frame. Richmond rebounded last round after a shellacking by the Crows, to topple GWS, while Carlton beat up the lowly Eagles. The Tigers were huge improvers last season, while the Blues’ dysfunction led to a shake-up which has them in rebuilding mode. Carlton’s Kelley Skepper, though, was recognised for her absolute blinder last week, earning the Rising Star nomination, and with five goals, teammate Darcy Vescio is again among the comp’s leading goalkickers. Richmond’s All-Australian Mon Conti is having an outstanding start to her season, but the Tigers are missing the injured Ellie McKenzie and Jess Hosking. Still, the Tigers will be the tamers in this match.
Last meeting: Round 8, Season 7 – Richmond won by 10 points
GIL’S TIP: RICHMOND

PORT ADELAIDE (1-2) v GEELONG (2-1) (Alberton Oval, Saturday 1:05pm local time)
Last round, the Cats had the ladder-leading Kangaroos on the ropes for the entire first half but lacked the stamina and punching power to knock them out. The Power, meanwhile, are coming off their best performance since joining the league last year, besting St Kilda, thanks to a captain’s goal by Erin Phillips, for just their second AFLW win. Geelong, led by All-Australian mids Amy McDonald, Georgie Prespakis and forward Chloe Scheer, has the stronger list, but Port Adelaide was buoyed by its exciting win. Scheer’s performance in this match will be a key factor – North’s backline last round restricted her to just one shot for goal. But it’s unlikely the Power will have answers for the Cats’ star midfielders or Mikayla Bowen, who last round won plenty of ball and hit the scoreboard.
Last meeting: N/A (first meeting)
GIL’S TIP: GEELONG

SYDNEY (1-2) v WEST COAST (0-3) (Henson Park, Sunday 1:05pm local time)
The Swans started the season by getting their first-ever win, then were reasonably competitive in the next round, before getting mauled last week by the Lions. The Eagles’ start, though, has been catastrophic. Now they must make the cross-country flight for this meeting with sagging morale. Ally Morphett has been a revelation in the ruck for Sydney, teammate Chloe Molloy has provided leadership and goalkicking, and young Montana Ham continues improving with each match. Ham will miss this week with a foot injury, but the Swans will take this opportunity to build their growing confidence with a win.
Last meeting: N/A (first meeting)
GIL’S TIP: SYDNEY

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NORTH MELBOURNE (3-0) v BRISBANE (2-1) (UTAS Stadium, Sunday 1:05pm local time)
On paper, this is the match of the round: the ladder leaders squaring off against last season’s runners-up. Both clubs have star-studded lists, but the Kangaroos, who always have had the talent, have been derailed in their flag quests in recent seasons. Something seems different so far this year, though, and a North Melbourne win here would go a long way toward showing that this might indeed be its year to capture its first premiership. The Roos’ tag-team ball-winning duo of Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell have been nearly unstoppable, while talls Tahlia Randall and Emma King have been vital. They also have the best defence in the competition, having allowed just 44 points to the opposition. That’ll be especially handy against the Lions, whose offence is ranked No.2. But Brisbane will be without suspended spearhead Dakota Davidson, whose eight majors have her tied for second on the goalkicking table. Two other key Lions, Cathy Svarc and Taylor Smith, must also pass fitness tests to play. North is also tough to beat on its Tassie home ground, just another reason why it will triumph.
Last meeting: Round 7, Season 7 – Brisbane won by 7 points
GIL TIPS: NORTH MELBOURNE

ESSENDON (2-1) v FREMANTLE (2-1) (Windy Hill, Sunday 3:05pm local time)
The Dockers comfortably coasted to a win last round over Hawthorn, with emerging standout forward Aine Tighe putting on her kicking boots early in the piece, and Kiara Bowers rampaging through the middle. Hitting the scoreboard early is vital for Fremantle, which has a recent history of sluggish starts. Losing tough midfielder Gabby O’Sullivan through a shoulder injury for another couple of rounds is a blow, as it will be if teammate Philipa Seth doesn’t pass a fitness test. The Bombers are without electric small forward Daria Bannister, due to concussion. Bowers matching up against Essendon’s All-Australian on-baller Madison Prespakis promises to be a scintillating contest, and the Bombers’ Steph Cain will be motivated to star against her former teammates. The slight edge goes to the Bombers here, as the Dockers’ unfamiliarity with this ground may hinder their efforts.
Last meeting: N/A (first meeting)
GIL’S TIP: ESSENDON

ST KILDA (0-3) v COLLINGWOOD (1-2) (RSEA Park, Sunday 3:05pm local time)
The Saints’ dismal start has so far been the comp’s biggest head-scratcher. They added to their fairly talented list by making out like bandits in the off-season, luring three stars from rival clubs. Yet here they are, winless, and coming off a loss on their home deck to second-year club Port Adelaide. Two of those recruits are Steph Chiocci and Jaimee Lambert from Collingwood, playing their first match against their old club. The reunion might add some spice to this contest. But what St Kilda needs more is for last season’s record-setting goalkicker Jesse Wardlaw to truly get going. Through three matches, she has only kicked one goal after booting 22 with Brisbane in the last campaign. The Pies were pipped last week on their home deck by the upstart Suns and will be smarting from that. St Kilda is rapidly running out of time in a quest to make finals, but at home, this will be the round in which it draws a line in the sand.
Last meeting: Round 6, Season 7 – Collingwood won by 2 points
GIL’S TIP: ST KILDA

GOLD COAST (2-1) v WESTERN BULLDOGS (0-3) (Heritage Bank Stadium, Sunday 5:05pm local time)
Behind their senior coach Cameron Joyce, the Suns have matured to the point at which a finals berth is now within their grasp. What has got into Gold Coast’s Jamie Stanton, who leads the AFLW goalkicking outright with 10 majors? Whatever has, the Suns are riding that and heaps of confidence after knocking off Collingwood at Victoria Park. Gold Coast has brought increased forward pressure, improved competitiveness in the middle and an all-round determination that was missing in past seasons. The Bulldogs, who last season snarled, scraped and clawed their way to a finals berth, have so far been the comp’s biggest disappointment. Ellie Blackburn, ever the Doggies’ warrior, has admirably battled, but she can’t carry the entire load. Besides, Stanton, Tara Bohanna and Jac Dupuy are also denting the scoreboard with increasing regularity. All signs point to a Gold Coast romp.
Last meeting: Round 3, Season 7 – Draw
GIL’S TIP: GOLD COAST