Gold Coast will need to devote a lot of attention to emerging GWS superstar Zarlie Goldsworthy on Friday night. Photo: AFL MEDIA

GOLD COAST (4-3-1) v GWS (2-6) (Heritage Bank Stadium, Friday 6:45 pm local time)
Despite Gold Coast being 10 points clear of GWS on the ladder, a Suns win is by no means a sure thing. Two weeks ago, in its biggest test of the season, Gold Coast was soundly defeated by Brisbane in the Q-Clash. Last weekend, it took a grandstand finish for the Suns to force a draw with lowly Port Adelaide. As for the Giants, tall forward Zarlie Goldsworthy last weekend continued setting the competition alight, booting five goals in a thrilling two-point win over Carlton. You’d think the Suns will surely regroup on their home deck, reassert themselves and take another step towards cementing a finals berth – but that’s what many pundits forecast last round. This time though, the Suns will overcome their recent hiccups and get the job done.
LAST MEETING: GWS won by 12 points.
GIL’S TIP: GOLD COAST

MELBOURNE (7-1) v FREMANTLE (4-4) (Casey Fields, Saturday 1:05pm local time)
The Demons are hungry to capture the minor premiership after stifling fellow top-four side North Melbourne last round, holding it goalless for three quarters while boosting their league-best percentage to 266.0. Many Dockers said they ran out last round a little more confident with superstar midfielder Kiara Bowers among them after a lengthy injury stint. But another Fremantle star, Ebony Antonio, is done for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn PCL. Melbourne’s galaxy of stars, including Eden Zanker and Kate Hore – first and second on the goalkicking table with 18 and 17 respectively – as well as ball-winning tandem Tyla Hanks and Olivia Purcell, who both average more than 22 disposals, should have little trouble with Fremantle, whose own finals hopes are on life support.
LAST MEETING: Melbourne won by 30 points.
GIL’S TIP: MELBOURNE

ST KILDA (4-4) v BRISBANE (6-2) (RSEA Park, Saturday 3:05pm local time)
Only a wildly inaccurate second quarter last round kept the Lions from smashing the mighty Crows. Instead, Brisbane won an arm wrestle against Adelaide, toppling the Crows from their perch on top of the ladder. The Saints last round had their four-match winning streak snapped by a feisty Dockers squad. In their last encounter, St Kilda gave Brisbane a serious scare, with the Lions winning by less than a kick, so Brisbane must align its goalkicking radar. The Saints’ finals hopes are slim, but warriors Jesse Wardlaw and Jaimee Lambert won’t easily surrender. The Lions, though, led by Ally Anderson, who is a strong contender for back-to-back AFLW best-and-fairests this year, may again be peaking at the right time. Brisbane should easily win this one and, if other results go its way, could break into the top two.
LAST MEETING: Brisbane won by 5 points.
GIL’S TIPS: BRISBANE

ESSENDON (5-3) v CARLTON (4-4) (Windy Hill, Saturday 3:05pm local time)
The Bombers nearly pulled one out of the fire last round against struggling West Coast with a fourth-quarter awakening, but they left their run too late and suffered an embarrassing defeat. The inconsistent Blues will be tougher opposition for Essendon, which can nail down a finals spot with a victory. The Bombers must again rely on their two biggest stars, Madison Prespakis and co-captain Bonnie Toogood, but will sorely miss injured co-captain Steph Cain, who’s out for at least two games, with concussion. They’ve also lost small forward Daria Bannister for a long period with a torn ACL, while her foil Georgia Gee is at least two weeks away with a calf injury. The Blues have stumbled to two straight losses after looking like a finals chance. Back a determined Essendon to rebound, make a statement and be the first of the second-year clubs to lock in a finals spot.
LAST MEETING: Carlton won by 1 point.
GIL’S TIP: ESSENDON

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WEST COAST (2-6) v WESTERN BULLDOGS (0-8) (Mineral Resources Park, Saturday 2:05pm local time)
It’s been non-stop drama at the Eagles these last three weeks. In Round 7 they copped an almighty belting from the top-of-the-ladder Demons, prompting their senior coach Michael Prior to whinge in the post-match presser about the unfairness of having to play against them — only to walk back those comments the next day. Credit West Coast for persevering to pull off one of the season’s biggest upsets last week by beating finals contender Essendon on the road. Just a few days after the Eagles’ stunning win, Prior stepped down, handing the reins to caretaker Rohan McHugh for the final two matches. How does all of this affect the injury-decimated Bulldogs’ chances in this match? Not positively. West Coast clearly backed itself in last round – even if Prior’s comments appeared not to – and will likely use those efforts as fuel to inspire it to finish strong.
LAST MEETING: Western Bulldogs won by 32 points.
GIL’S TIP: WEST COAST

RICHMOND (4-4) v GEELONG (4-4) (Ikon Park, Saturday 7:15pm local time)
Four is the magic number. Both sides are 4-4 and in their last game against each other, Geelong won by – you guessed it – four points. Last season these teams were also the competition’s biggest improvers, with both making finals, while this season, realistically, only one will at most. In the final round the Tigers must tangle with red-hot Collingwood at Victoria Park, while the Cats host the struggling Hawks. Although Geelong is on the road this weekend, the Tigers are far worse for wear on the injury front, with Ellie McKenzie and Jess Hosking at least two weeks away from returning. While Mon Conti is enjoying yet another superb season for Richmond, the Tigers will be extremely hard-pressed to mind the trio of Geelong star midfielders Georgie Prespakis, Amy McDonald and Nina Morrison, as well as spearhead Chloe Scheer. The Cats are primed to finish strong with back-to-back wins.
LAST MEETING: Geelong won by 4 points.
GIL’S TIP: GEELONG

SYDNEY (4-4) v COLLINGWOOD (5-3) (Henson Park, Sunday 1:05pm local time)
Rather sneakily, the Magpies are closing in on a surprise finals berth. They’ve ridden the red-hot form of superstar Bri Davey, mid-forward Mikala Cann and rejuvenated ruck Sabrina Frederick to win their last four matches. Along the way, Collingwood has beaten quality sides Brisbane and Geelong. Few pundits would’ve expected the Swans – winless last season – to have an even win-loss ledger at this juncture, with a credible shot to make the eight. Sydney’s Sophia Hurley captured last round’s Rising Star nomination, but the club’s finals chances recently took a major hit after ruck sensation Ally Morphett suffered a season-ending wrist injury. The Swans’ Laura Gardiner is in the frame for the AFLW best-and-fairest, but Sydney’s supporting cast isn’t as strong and seasoned as Collingwood’s, which should book its finals ticket with a comfortable win.
LAST MEETING: Collingwood won by 31 points.
GIL’S TIPS: COLLINGWOOD

ADELAIDE (7-1) v NORTH MELBOURNE (6-2) (Norwood Oval, Sunday, 4:35pm local time)
While North Melbourne boasts a champion midfield, featuring Jasmine Garner and Ash Riddell, and an impressive win-loss record, its two losses this season were against fellow top-four sides Melbourne and Brisbane. From those results alone, logic dictates the Kangaroos will again be vulnerable in this blockbuster against the Crows, coming off a stinging loss to the Lions. Adelaide is especially dangerous on the rebound and despite losing to Brisbane, the Crows dodged a major bullet when star midfielder Anne Hatchard avoided a serious injury after being involved in a nasty collision. Hatchard and teammate Ebony Marinoff are a nearly unstoppable tandem and with Danielle Ponter and Caitlin Gould, Adelaide has the firepower the Kangaroos lack.
LAST MEETING: Adelaide won by 14 points.
GIL’S TIPS: ADELAIDE

HAWTHORN (2-5) v PORT ADELAIDE (1-6-1) (Kinetic Stadium – Frankston, Sunday 5:05pm local time)
This game is a coinflip. The Power have been much stronger in attack than the Hawks this season, but Hawthorn has a far superior defence. Credit the Power for nearly pulling off an upset win last round over possible finalist Gold Coast, while the Hawks two rounds ago showed resilience in knocking off the Swans. Hawthorn was victorious against Port Adelaide in their last meeting, and the Power have two significant outs in Janelle Cuthbertson and Indy Tahau. Back the Hawks in a tight one.
LAST MEETING: Hawthorn won by 13 points.
GIL’S TIP: HAWTHORN