Gabriella Pound escapes Isabella Grant’s clutches the last time Carlton played the Western Bulldogs. Photo: GETTY IMAGES

WESTERN BULLDOGS (0-5) v CARLTON (3-2) (Whitten Oval, Friday 7:15pm local time)
The Blues have a golden opportunity to firm up their place in the top eight and bolster their finals chances, while the Bulldogs – finalists last season – continue searching for their first win in a season that can only be described as disastrous. Abbie McKay had a blinder last week for Carlton in a nailbiter win over Sydney, with 25 touches, nine clearances and eight tackles, while Dogs duo Ellie Blackburn (31 touches and 12 clearances) and Alice Edmonds (35 hitouts and two goals) stood out in a loss to the Saints. In a blow for the Blues, captain Kerry Peterson will miss this contest with a knee injury. Despite making their worst start to a season, the Bulldogs continue to show plenty of fight and will get over the line here in a close contest on their home ground.
Last Meeting: Round 10, Season 7 – Western Bulldogs won by 3 points.
GIL’S TIP: WESTERN BULLDOGS

GWS (0-5) v WEST COAST (1-4) (Blacktown ISP, Saturday 1:05pm local time)
If you like high-scoring free-for-alls, this match is highly unlikely to suit your taste. These two sides so far have scored the least number of points in the comp (both are averaging in the 20s) and will be battling to avoid the wooden spoon. The Giants’ season has so far been as dismal as the Bulldogs. The Eagles will be up and about after breaking a long losing streak at home last round against Port Adelaide, but will be making their third cross-country trip in six weeks. With West Coast possessing the least potent attack in the league, and GWS having the leakiest defence, the logical result would be a deadlock for these two evenly matched sides.
Last Meeting: Round 4, Season 7 – West Coast won by 7 points.
GIL’S TIP: DRAW

MELBOURNE (5-0) v ADELAIDE (5-0) (Casey Fields, Saturday 3:05 pm local time)
With decisive wins in their last two encounters – including last season’s second qualifying final – the Demons are the only club that can claim they’ve had three-time premier Adelaide’s number. Melbourne’s inside grunt, outside run and overlapping handball style has bested Adelaide’s kick-mark game, while the Dees have matched Adelaide’s physicality. Some of the league’s biggest stars will face off. Adelaide’s Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard will clash with Melbourne’s Olivia Purcell and Tyla Hanks in the middle, while Melbourne forwards Kate Hore (14 goals), Eden Zanker (10) and Alyssa Bannan (seven) will try and outgun Adelaide’s Caitlin Gould (nine), Eloise Jones (eight) and Danielle Ponter (eight). The Demons have been nearly unbeatable at Casey and will have a slight advantage in what will be a cracker.
Last Meeting: Second Qualifying Final, Season 7 – Melbourne won by 21 points.
GIL’S TIP: MELBOURNE

ST KILDA (2-3) v HAWTHORN (1-4) (RSEA Park, Saturday 3:05pm local time)
After dropping its first three matches, then winning their next two, could St Kilda be making a late run for a finals spot? As unlikely as that may have seemed through the first third of the season, don’t rule it out. Two key drivers are in hot form: midfielder Jaimee Lambert and, though it took her a while, forward Jess Wardlaw is hitting the scoreboard and winning clearances while pinch-hitting in the ruck. Wardlaw will battle star former Brisbane teammates Emily Bates and Greta Bodey, which will be intriguing, but the Saints, with the stronger list and greater experience, should comfortably win at home.
Last Meeting: Round 2, Season 7 – St Kilda won by 53 points.
GIL’S TIP: ST KILDA

PORT ADELAIDE (1-4) v SYDNEY (2-3) (Alberton Oval, Saturday 5:05pm local time)
Much has changed since the last time these two teams met, when the Swans managed just two points in an absolute mauling by the Power. In the off-season, Sydney improved its list by importing a couple of veterans, and already has notched two more victories than in its winless maiden campaign. Ally Morphett has been an absolute juggernaut in the ruck, helping on-ballers set up attacks. Though the Swans are currently 13th, they and ninth-placed Essendon are the highest-scoring teams outside the top eight. Port’s tall forwards Gemma Houghton and Ash Saint are gelling, but of these two clubs, Sydney is improving more. The Swans will get home in a close one.
Last Meeting: Round 4, Season 7 – Port Adelaide won by 66 points.
GIL’S TIP: SYDNEY

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BRISBANE (4-1) v COLLINGWOOD (2-3) (Brighton Homes Arena, Saturday 7:15pm local time)
The Lions are currently playing excellent football, winning four on the trot after their first-round upset loss to Richmond. Last season’s AFLCA Player of the Year Ally Anderson is in peak form and Dakota Davidson is back to her goalkicking best, booting three majors last week after serving a one-match suspension. While for the Magpies, Sabrina Frederick is dominating the ruck and playing some of her best football. Collingwood, though, has been inconsistent this season and doesn’t have the personnel to go with the star-studded Lions. Brisbane scored at will the last time they played the Pies and the same scenario may well yet again unfold.
Last Meeting: Round 10, Season 7 – Brisbane won by 45 points.
GIL’S TIP: BRISBANE

ESSENDON (3-2) v GEELONG (3-2) (Warrnambool, Sunday 1:05pm local time)
The Bombers last week missed a chance to solidify their top-eight spot and fell to Collingwood, while the struggling Cats, who currently sit in sixth position, didn’t meet the challenge when elite teams North Melbourne and Melbourne came calling on the Cattery. But this should be the week Geelong gets its groove back. With Amy McDonald, Georgie Prespakis and Nina Morrison running through the middle and Chloe Scheer and Jacqui Parry in attack, the Cats are too talented to miss out on finals, but they’ll have to contend with red-hot Bombers Madison Prespakis (it’s always a good battle when she takes on her sister) and sharpshooter Bonnie Toogood. This should be a hard-fought battle, with the Cats coming out on top.
Last Meeting: Round 7, Season 7 – Geelong won by 15 points.
GIL’S TIP: GEELONG

RICHMOND (3-2) v GOLD COAST (3-2) (Ikon Park, Sunday 3:05pm local time)
Here’s another cracker on the cards, with a finalist from last season, the Tigers, taking on an emerging top-eight threat in the Suns. Both sides play an exciting and entertaining style of footy, as they both like taking the game on. Richmond’s Katie Brennan and Mon Conti are two of the comp’s most exhilarating players, but their side is missing some important injured soldiers, most notably midfielder Ellie McKenzie (ankle), whose return date remains unclear, as well as and identical twin on-ballers Sarah (hamstring) and Jess Hosking (ankle). The Suns, with a top-five attack, have three players – Jamie Stanton (12), Tara Bohanna (seven) and Jac Dupuy (seven) – among the league leaders in goals. The Tigers’ injuries look as though they’ll finally catch up with them this round, while Gold Coast is no longer daunted by road matches. The Suns will take another step towards finals.
Last Meeting: Round 6, Season 7 – Richmond won by 4 points.
GIL’S TIP: GOLD COAST

FREMANTLE (3-2) v NORTH MELBOURNE (4-1) (Fremantle Oval, Sunday 5:05pm local time)
Last round, the Dockers surprisingly won an important showdown against the Tigers without their two biggest stars, Kiara Bowers and Ebony Antonio. Meanwhile, the Kangaroos, despite not being in the beast mode they’re normally in, easily stifled the Giants. Out west this weekend, Fremantle will once again be without the injured Bowers, while it sweats on whether Anotnio can pass a fitness test. North Melbourne, with Jasmine Garner, Ash Riddell, Jenna Bruton, the rest of its formidable ball-winning crew and its league-leading defence, would be a heavy enough burden for any opposing team to deal with, but the banged-up Dockers won’t be able to put the clamps on these Roos, who, at the season’s pointy end, will be vying for a flag. The Dockers may put up a fight at times, but North will likely coast to victory.
Last Meeting: Second Qualifying Final, Season 6 – Fremantle won by 38 points.
GIL’S TIP: NORTH MELBOURNE