Tayla Harris will be just one of many Melbourne stars that Geelong will have to try and stop on Thursday night. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

GEELONG (3-1) v MELBOURNE (4-0) (GMHBA Stadium, Thursday 6:15pm local time)
Outside of their elimination final last season, this match stands to be the Cats’ biggest ever test: a date on their home deck under the lights with the red-hot reigning premiers. If recent history is any guide, Geelong is not yet an elite side, as evidenced by the fact it wasn’t able to defeat premiership contender North Melbourne a couple of rounds back. The Cats have made tremendous strides, however, and the likes of Amy McDonald, Georgie Prespakis, Nina Morrison and Chloe Scheer form quite the formidable nucleus. But Melbourne is currently riding a record 13-game winning streak and its galaxy of stars is not only uber-talented, but also epitomise team-oriented footy. The Cats will challenge but fall short.
Last meeting: N/A (first meeting)
GIL’S TIP: MELBOURNE

RICHMOND (3-1) v FREMANTLE (2-2) (Ikon Park, Friday 1:05pm local time)
The Tigers so far are the comp’s fourth quarter queens, winning two of their three matches so far by finding an extra gear when they need it, late in the piece — tributes to both their collective resilience and fitness. The Dockers faded last round in the second half and this week will be without their superstar midfielder, Kiara Bowers, who’s coping with an injured knee, while stalwart mid Gabby O’Sullivan, who’s recovering from banged-up shoulder, is a test. Fremantle will be hard pressed to keep up with Richmond ball-magnet Mon Conti, currently second in the
AFLCA voting for AFLW Player of the Year. Tigers’ captain Katie Brennan and new foil Caitlin Greiser have been deadly up forward, too, so Richmond should get the chocolates here.
Last meeting: Round 3, Season 6 – Fremantle won by 30 points
GIL’S TIP: RICHMOND

CARLTON (2-2) v SYDNEY (2-2) (Ikon Park, Friday 4:05pm local time)
Eyes should be immediately cast to the first centre bounce, and then to all ruck contests thereafter, to get a sense of who might win this contest between two evenly matched sides. Carlton’s Jess Good and/or All-Australian Breann Moody will square off with sensational Swan Ally Morphett. From there, it’ll be a case of which of the two midfields has the more ravenous appetite for ball-winning and clearances at stoppages. Carlton was pipped by Richmond last round while the Swans defeated the Eagles. The Blues and Sydney have similarly potent offences, but the Swans have been more prone to conceding big scores. That, plus the Blues being at their home ground, gives the hosts the slight advantage.
Last meeting: N/A (first meeting)
GIL’S TIP: CARLTON

WESTERN BULLDOGS (0-4) v ST KILDA (1-3) (Whitten Oval, Friday 7:15pm local time)
The Bulldogs’ bark last round proved more pronounced than their bite and they couldn’t quite complete their fightback against the rising Gold Coast Suns, while the Saints finally got in the win column, playing an inspired final term, led by new recruits Jesse Wardlaw and Jaimee Lambert, to defeat Collingwood. As disastrous as this season has been so far for the Doggies, after making the finals last season, they have shown no visible signs of low morale or lack of passion, with their skipper Ellie Blackburn directing the troops. But the rejuvenated Saints will be riding momentum and motivation to prove last round was no fluke and will triumph at the Kennel.
Last meeting: Round 8, Season 7 – Western Bulldogs won by 15 points
GIL’S TIP: ST KILDA

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WEST COAST (0-4) v PORT ADELAIDE (1-3) (Mineral Resources Park, Friday 7:15pm local time)
This is the week West Coast gets off the mat and wins its first match of the season. Both Emma Swanson and Dana Hooker played their best matches of the season last week, and when they fire together, they can cause some damage. But the Eagles must contend with the Power’s talented tall timber of Ash Saint and ex-Docker Gemma Houghton, who returns to her native West Australia. Port Adelaide, though, will sorely miss a third tall in its attack, Indy Tahau, who ruptured her ACL last round and will be gone for the remainder of this season.
Last meeting: Round 1, Season 7 – West Coast won by 12 points
GIL’S TIP: WEST COAST

COLLINGWOOD (1-3) v ESSENDON (3-1) (Punt Road Oval, Saturday 11:05am local time)
The Bombers are far and away the best of the second-year clubs and this season they’re off to a flyer. While midfielder Madison Prespakis has been Essendon’s biggest star, ruck Stephanie Wales won her second Rising Star nomination last round, which will make her battle with Collingwood ruck Sabrina Frederick intriguing. The Magpies couldn’t stifle the surging Saints last week and will have their hands full with an energised Essendon team that has shown it can finish matches strongly. Playing on a neutral deck, rather than the Magpies’ home base, will only give an added edge to the Bombers.
Last meeting: Round 5, Season 7 – Collingwood won by 11 points
GIL’S TIP: ESSENDON

NORTH MELBOURNE (3-1) v GWS (0-4) (Arden Street Oval, Sunday 12:05pm local time)
For a half last round, the winless Giants were hanging in there against the mighty Crows, but that’s unlikely to happen this weekend when the powerful Kangaroos – smarting from a heartbreaking loss to Brisbane in Tasmania – host Greater Western Sydney. The Kangaroos will be keen to course correct and have the disciplined personnel to carry that out. Pinpoint passer Jenna Bruton was a welcome return last round for North Melbourne, which has magician Jasmine Garner playing at the peak of her powers and leading the AFLCA Player of the Year race. Emma King, Tahlia Randall and Kate Shierlaw are also firing up forward.
Last meeting: Round 3, Season 6 – North Melbourne won by 27 points
GIL’S TIP: NORTH MELBOURNE

HAWTHORN (1-3) v BRISBANE (3-1) (Kinetic Stadium – Frankston, Sunday 2:05pm local time)
The Lions’ confidence was buoyed last round by handing the Roos their first-ever loss at their Tasmanian fortress. Ally Anderson and Jade Ellenger were instrumental in leading Brisbane’s comeback and the rest of the Lions are not about to rest on their laurels after an inspiring win. Brisbane will not allow the struggling Hawks – who scored a round low 1.5 (11) last weekend – get a sniff, let alone upset them. Hawthorn, meet woodshed.
Last meeting: Round 9, Season 7 – Brisbane won by 54 points
GIL’S TIP: BRISBANE

ADELAIDE (4-0) v GOLD COAST (3-1) v (Unley Oval, Sunday 4:05pm local time)
Like the Cats, Gold Coast faces a massive test this weekend – an away game against the omnipotent Crows. Last round the young Suns showed why they are a finals contender this year with their rapid, skilful ball movement. They’re one of the comp’s most exciting teams with league-leading goalkicker Jamie Stanton and teammate Tara Bohanna both regularly drilling majors, and hardnosed mid Charlie Rowbottom winning plenty of contested ball. But again, like the Cats, the Suns don’t yet have the experience or skills to match it with the AFLW’s elite teams. Adelaide’s list is teeming with A-graders such as Ebony Marinoff, whose 40 touches last round fell just two short of Ash Riddell’s all-time record of 42. Nothing less than an extraordinary four-quarter effort would possibly get Gold Coast over the line.
Last meeting: Round 6, 2021 – Adelaide won by 70 points
GIL’S TIP: ADELAIDE