THE BATTLE for places in the top eight could hardly be hotter.

Clear frontrunner Sydney holds a two-win advantage over a chasing pack of finals hopefuls that arguably stretches to as many as 13 teams.

Brisbane and St Kilda have hung on to the lower end of that group of contenders in recent weeks and now meet in what looms as a critical clash for both sides to open round 14 on Friday night.

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Adelaide's season is unravelling and it now faces the Swans for the first time since the controversial ending to their match late last year, with the two sides taking vastly different paths since then.

But the most highly-anticipated match of the round is between the lowly Richmond and resurgent Hawthorn with Dustin Martin set to play his 300th match on Saturday.

Here is what to expect across round 14 and a tip for all six matches, as Carlton, Essendon, Geelong, Gold Coast, Melbourne and West Coast enjoy the bye.

Brisbane v St Kilda, Gabba
Friday, June 14, 7.40pm AEST

Last time: Brisbane 9.18 (72) d St Kilda 9.6 (60), R24 2023

What it means

Brisbane (5-6-1) is showing signs of returning to the sort of form that made it a top-four regular in recent seasons. The Lions impressed when brushing aside Western Bulldogs last week, but the 2023 runner-up now needs to make it back-to-back victories for the first time since round five if they are to stay in touch with the top eight.

St Kilda (5-8) rode its own luck to clinch a second consecutive victory in a nailbiter against Gold Coast, a week after turning around its form in the second against West Coast. But the Saints are still two wins out of the top eight with a poor percentage all but putting them a further game behind, and can ill-afford to slip up even against the gradually improving Lions.  

Game shapers

Eric Hipwood had come under fire for a lack of contribution as the Lions stumbled through the first half of the season, managing only 11 goals in 10 matches for his worst average return since his 2016 debut. That was until the key forward matched his equal-biggest haul with six majors against the Bulldogs to breathe fresh life into his, and his side's, season.

Jack Sinclair added a spark to what was at times a dull contest against the travel-sick Suns, at least until the Saints snatched victory in the dying stages. The Saints' dasher was often seen playing behind the ball and crucially had seven rebounds among his 31 classy disposals, but can expect more midfield time this week against the Lions' deep on-ball brigade.

Early tip: Brisbane by 11 points

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium
Saturday, June 15, 1.45pm AEST

Last time: Fremantle 14.11 (95) d Western Bulldogs 10.11 (71), R7 2024

What it means

The Western Bulldogs (6-7) continued their rollercoaster ride of a season with a disappointing defeat on home turf to Brisbane only a week after showing such promising signs in a win over Collingwood. The Bulldogs continue to be hit hard by injury with fresh problems now at both ends of the field, but again have their key personnel in the midfield to stay in the finals hunt.

Fremantle (7-4-1) is coming off a bye following its crushing win over Melbourne by 92 points, with the rampant display sending a warning shot across the competition. The Dockers piled on 22 goals against the Demons as they showed strong signs that their under-fire ball movement and forward set up are now clicking into gear. 

Game shapers

Tim English will carry a bigger load than usual this week as the Bulldogs edge closer to running out of tall timber both as support in the ruck and at either end of the field. English won't be helped by coming up against a Dockers outfit that can turn to height in multiple positions as a strength, and might want to push forward more to find a fresh way to make an impact.

Jye Amiss built a reputation as a sharpshooter with 45.18 through his first 23 matches to the end of last season, but he was unable to find the same range during a lean start to this year. The 20-year-old had booted 14.15 from 10 matches and managed only four goals in five matches until bouncing back with four straight goals against the Demons in a reminder of his talents.

Early tip: Western Bulldogs by nine points

Richmond v Hawthorn, MCG
Saturday, June 15, 4.35pm AEST

Last time: Richmond 14.12 (96) d Hawthorn 15.5 (95), R19 2023

What it means

Richmond (2-11) had impressed even in narrow defeats to Essendon and Geelong in recent weeks but few would have seen their stirring victory coming on the road against Adelaide. The Tigers can now ride that wave of momentum into an emotional encounter this week as they return to the MCG for Dustin Martin's 300th match.

Hawthorn (6-7) is flying as one of the most in-form teams in the competition after six wins from its past eight matches well and truly putting a horror start to the season behind it. The Hawks can start eyeing a surprise return to finals, especially if they can make the most of playing the Tigers and Eagles either side of a bye.

Game shapers

Dustin Martin might not embrace the limelight off the field but few, if any, players have made a greater impact on the grandest stages. The three-time Norm Smith medallist will again be the centre of attention in his 300th match and will be coming in refreshed and raring to go after taking the week off ahead of his milestone. The midfield star helped the Tigers return to form with five goals in two matches before being managed against the Crows last week.

James Worpel was struggling to find as much of the ball as usual just as the Hawks started to turn their season around, but he seems to have rediscovered his role. The lean patch was partly due to teammate Will Day returning to the side, but Worpel looks comfortable again as he spends more time in the midfield and adds balance to the Hawks' on-ball brigade.

Early tip: Hawthorn by 14 points

Adelaide v Sydney, Adelaide Oval
Saturday, June 15, 7pm ACST

Last time: Sydney 11.8 (74) d Adelaide 10.13 (73), R23 2023

What it means

Adelaide's (4-8-1) finals hopes are on the brink of collapse after failing to win either of its back-to-back matches against sides around the same mark in Richmond and Hawthorn. The Crows have next to no margin for error as they sit three wins outside the top eight and in 15th place, but must find a way to stun the high-flying Swans that broke their hearts in controversial fashion late last year.  

Sydney (11-1) brushed aside its latest challenger in Geelong, even after giving up a six-goal lead. The Swans' midfield, including ruck recruit Brodie Grundy, was the key to the 65-point turnaround but with their defensive and forward groups also firing, it appears that only complacency against an opponent looking for a dose of revenge might prevent a ninth win on the trot.

Game shapers

Max Michalanney has been one of few Crows to grow their reputation this year especially since the 20-year-old has stepped out of his role as a lockdown defender and more into the midfield. The father-son pick up could be asked to combine those two skill sets as the Crows come up against the Swans' imperious on-ball brigade that is a key to their success.

Errol Gulden might be playing off the back of a top-five finish in the Brownlow Medal last year but has been able to fly under the radar at times during the Swans' blistering first half of the season. The tireless midfielder has perhaps been overshadowed by the form of Isaac Heeney and Chad Warner, but was back to his brilliant best against the Cats with a season-high 37 disposals as the Swans set themselves as the team to beat.

Early tip: Sydney by 21 points

North Melbourne v Collingwood, Marvel Stadium
Sunday, June 16, 1pm AEST

Last time: Collingwood 16.9 (105) d North Melbourne 10.10 (70), R11 2023

What it means

North Melbourne (1-11) will enter a match riding a wave of momentum from a victory the week beforehand for the first time in more than a year. The Roos showed encouraging signs for the future as they built a 33-point lead over the Eagles, but were all the more impressive for bouncing back even after giving up that advantage to snatch their breakthrough win. 

Collingwood (7-4-2) is building nicely into the season even as several influential players remain sidelined, with some unavailable for multiple weeks to come. The Pies might look to rest rather than risk some more of their key players, especially with the lowly Kangaroos up next with a bye to follow.

Game shapers

Jy Simpkin has stumbled through an injury-hit first half of the season that started with being on the receiving end of a horror high hit on the cusp of round one. But the Kangaroos' inspirational skipper was back to his best in the win over the Eagles with season-highs for 28 disposals, five clearances and two goals, with the latter including the major that reclaimed the lead in the dying stages. 

Brayden Maynard seemed to relish his role as the villain as he was targeted by opponents and booed by Demons fans whenever he touched the ball until the Pies gradually dismantled their opposition. The rugged defender will again be in the spotlight this week, this time to celebrate his 200th match while enjoying near-career highs for disposals and rebounds.

Early tip: Collingwood by 27 points

Greater Western Sydney v Port Adelaide, Engie Stadium
Sunday, June 16, 4pm AEST

Last time: Greater Western Sydney 13.15 (93) d Port Adelaide 9.16 (70), SF 2023

What it means

Greater Western Sydney (7-5) sits in the top eight only on percentage after giving up any advantage it had built with its early-season surge, suffering five defeats in the past seven matches. The Giants have been hit hard by injury to key players but have few excuses for failing to run out games after being outscored in the second half in their past five games and by a total of 36 goals, compared to their 19.

Port Adelaide (8-4) held onto its place in the top four even while having the weekend off with a bye. The Power will have appreciated the extra time to prepare for the return bout against the side that knocked them out of the finals last season, although they will face the Giants in unfamiliar surroundings with just their third ever visit to Engie Stadium and their first since 2013.

Game shapers

Brent Daniels was the leader of the Giants' mosquito fleet as they made an undefeated start to the season through their opening five matches, booting seven goals and directly assisting the same. But the 25-year-old had struggled to hit those same heights since being struck down with injury in the Giants' first defeat of the season against the Blues, until rediscovering his touch against the Hawks with 27 disposals as he added a spark to the midfield.

Ollie Wines has been in the spotlight for less than ideal reasons after he was substituted out of the clash with Hawthorn due to heart palpitations, and has more recently been linked with a move away from Port Adelaide. But the former co-captain has brushed all that aside to gather 26 disposals in consecutive weeks while also hitting the scoreboard as his versatility turns into a key weapon for the Power.

Early tip: Greater Western Sydney by 17 points

FREMANTLE has blown a crucial chance to secure four points amid a congested top eight, the pressure and pace of the Western Bulldogs proving far too much in a 67-point thrashing at Marvel Stadium.

The Dogs – keeping their own finals hopes well and truly alive with a hard-working, scintillating performance – kicked five goals to one in the second term to set up the 23.11 (149) to 12.10 (82) victory.

BULLDOGS v DOCKERS Full match coverage and stats

The loss is set to be compounded for Fremantle by what appears to be a relatively serious right hamstring injury to veteran Michael Walters, the 33-year-old trudging forlornly from the ground in the second term.

Fremantle was coming off the bye, and it showed. The Dockers – like they did against Melbourne – struggled to get going while the Western Bulldogs were sharp.

The Dogs kicked 2.2 from their first five inside 50s, Cody Weightman celebrating his return from a serious elbow injury with the opening goal from a somewhat lucky free kick and finishing with three for the match.

Sam Sturt kicked two in the opening term, his second an impressive effort that started with a useful intercept halfway up the field, before getting the follow-up handball and burning the Dogs defenders for pace.

While Fremantle's midfield has been a cut above the competition this year, the combination of Tom Liberatore, Marcus Bontempelli, Ed Richards and Adam Treloar held firm against Nat Fyfe, Caleb Serong, Andy Brayshaw and Hayden Young, overwhelming the Dockers' normally resolute defence as they started to build out the match-winning lead.

The momentum continued into the second half – half-back Lachie Bramble (in arguably a career-best game) drifted forward and was duly rewarded, Tim English plucked the ball from a sea of opponents and Jamarra Ugle-Hagan booted two in a minute and suddenly the Dogs had kicked another five in the first 12 minutes of the term.

It was the type of fast, high-pressure footy of which Dogs fans know their side are more than capable, but don't always produce. The result saw the margin balloon out to 58 points, before Young began to assert himself in the centre bounces, dragging the Dockers back into the game.

Fremantle didn't lie down, kicking six of seven goals either side of three-quarter time, just to make things a little bit interesting, but Weightman's third put paid to any idle musings of a comeback.

Without Alex Keath (hamstring), the Bulldogs defence looked slightly outsized by the Docker talls, but the Dogs solved that issue by simply limiting the supply into Fremantle's forward line, while young key back James O'Donnell also impressed in his 21st game.

Molto, molto bene, Bontempelli
The Bulldogs skipper has been ill all week, missing two training sessions and only taking part in the mildest of captain's runs on Friday. You wouldn't have known it by his second goal, coming in the second term. Manned by not one, but three Fremantle players – and no slouches in Alex Pearce, Luke Ryan and Karl Worner – he brought the ball to ground, wheeled around and snapped truly to take the margin to 21 points. While possibly spending more time in attack throughout the game after his interrupted lead-in, Bontempelli was excellent with 30 disposals, seven clearances and three goals.

A crucial miss
With the margin at just 16 points late in the second term, Josh Treacy had a set shot from directly in front, about 25m out from goal. Simple? Not so. The Dockers key forward appeared to get his grounded foot caught up somewhat in the turf, stabbing at the footy as it sprayed wildly left. The Bulldogs promptly kicked 4.1 either side of the half-time break before Fremantle had another shot on goal, coincidentally another Treacy behind.

The rise and rise of Hayden Young
The return of the tagger – Young's role if the Dockers opt to employ the close checker – has perhaps lessened the acknowledgement of the midfielder's offensive weapons. At half-time, he had 11 disposals and two clearances, but as Fremantle flirted with the idea of hauling in the Bulldogs, it was Young who drove the charge. He recorded 15 touches after the break, as well as four clearances, his fourth quarter somewhat limited by a knock to the knee.

WESTERN BULLDOGS          4.5     9.8     15.11     23.11 (149)
FREMANTLE                         4.1     5.4       9.5       12.10 (82)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: West 4, Weightman 3, Ugle-Hagan 3, Lobb 3, Bontempelli 3, Gallagher 2, English 2, Treloar, Richards, Bramble
Fremantle: Sturt 3, Banfield 3, Treacy 2, Jackson 2, Frederick, Amiss

BEST
Western Bulldogs: Liberatore, Bontempelli, Treloar, Bramble, Dale, West
Fremantle: Young, Serong, Banfield, Jackson, Clark

INJURIES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Fremantle: Walters (hamstring)

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Fremantle: Heath Chapman (hamstring awareness) replaced by Karl Worner

SUBSTITUTES
Western Bulldogs: Caleb Daniel (replaced Anthony Scott at three-quarter time)
Fremantle: Matthew Johnson (replaced Michael Walters in the second quarter)

Crowd: 21,796 at Marvel Stadium