THE FINALS picture will look a lot clearer at the conclusion of this weekend, with a number of "eight-point" matches in the round six fixture.

Supporters will not be permitted to attend NAB AFLW matches from Saturday, March 14, due to the everchanging nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Friday, March 13

Geelong v North Melbourne, GMHBA Stadium, 7.10pm AEDT

• Geelong is now two from two after dropping its first three matches. The forward line has been continually tweaked, but the combination of Phoebe McWilliams, Kate Darby, Anna Teague and Georgia Clarke seems to have done the trick.
• While the Kangaroos can't completely guarantee themselves a finals spot if they get this win over the line, the wheels would have to fall off and spontaneously combust for the team to miss April action, if indeed they get Friday night's four points.
• Tip: North Melbourne is on a roll, and while Geelong plays well at home, the Kangaroos' midfield runs just too deep. Roos by 19 points.

Saturday, March 14

Brisbane v Collingwood, Hickey Park, 2.10pm AEST

• Brisbane suffered its first loss for the year, falling to Fremantle on Sunday. The Lions have once again benefited from a healthy list this season, but looked somewhat literally off the pace against the rampaging Dockers.
• It's been an up-and-down – but still vastly improved – season from Collingwood this year, but the Magpies will take some confidence from their comfortable win over Western Bulldogs. Chloe Molloy's best position for the side – forward, midfield or even back to defence – is still to be determined.
• Tip: As a cross-conference game, this has big ramifications for both sides, with effectively a bonus four points on offer. Brisbane has been more consistent this season, and should just get over the line by five points.

St Kilda v Richmond, RSEA Park, 5.10pm AEDT

• The Saints had their opportunities but were ultimately outclassed by Carlton last week. They've been competitive in most games, but have struggled to hit the scoreboard, kicking the second-fewest goals this year.
• Richmond's winless season rolls on. It's been a frustrating season for the Tigers, who have kicked the third-fewest goals, given away the most free kicks and conceded the highest number of points.
• Tip: St Kilda has been close in a number of games this year, but will be too strong for the beleaguered Richmond. Saints by 17 points.

Melbourne v Carlton, TIO Traeger Park, 6.10pm ACST

• Melbourne comfortably has the strongest defence in the competition, conceding just 16.8 points a match. The addition of Libby Birch has been enormous, as has the move of Daisy Pearce behind the ball.
• Carlton's defence hasn't been quite as stingy, but Kerryn Harrington and Charlotte Wilson are building some good form together. Both are capable of strong intercept marks and have neat foot skills, setting up the rebound well.
• Tip: Second v third in Conference B, this is crunch time. The winner of the Alice Springs clash will have a handy four-point buffer over the loser, the latter falling back into the chasing pack. Blues by three points.

Sunday, March 15

Western Bulldogs v Fremantle, VU Whitten Oval, 1.10pm AEDT

• Things are starting to unravel at VU Whitten Oval. The Dogs sit 11th for disposals, last for long kicks, second-last for contested possessions but oddly enough, second for clearances.
• It's just full-steam ahead for Fremantle. The Dockers are only the second team to be undefeated after five rounds, with Brisbane in 2017 also notching up the achievement.
• Tip: Fremantle isn't quite as strong on the road as it is at home, but the Dockers will be too powerful up forward for the Bulldogs. Dockers by 26 points.

Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney, Hisense Stadium, 2.40pm ACDT

• Adelaide has one of the longest injury lists in the competition, but will be hoping Erin Phillips (soreness) and Eloise Jones (shoulder) are available for this must-win clash. Scoring once inside 50 is a huge issue; the Crows are last-place in the competition with a percentage rate of just 24.1.
• GWS is facing a season-defining fortnight with matches against fellow Conference A sides Adelaide and Geelong. Star midfielder Alyce Parker bounced back to her best against Richmond, finishing with 24 disposals (up from 11 the week before).
• Tip: Both sides have been hot and cold at the best of times this year, but Adelaide just runs a little deeper. Crows by seven points.

West Coast v Gold Coast, Mineral Resources Park, 2.10pm AWST

• West Coast would be hoping to rebound after a very poor performance against a strong Melbourne side. Hitting the scoreboard has been the biggest issue; the Eagles are averaging a competition-low 15.4 points a match.
• Gold Coast is facing the second leg of a fairly hellish travel schedule, backing up a game in Mackay with one in Perth. The Suns tired as last week's game progressed – could it be an issue again?
• Tip: The Suns are still the most outside of chances of making finals and have more to play for. Gold Coast by 14 points.

GREATER Western Sydney has all but guaranteed it will play in the NAB AFLW finals for the first time with a hard-fought victory over reigning premier Adelaide on Sunday.

Played behind closed doors at Hisense Stadium in Adelaide's inner western suburbs, the Giants – on the back of a dominating performance from midfield gun Alyce Parker - orchestrated the perfect smash and grab to defeat the Crows by five points, 4.2 (26) to 3.3 (21).

CROWS v GIANTS Full match coverage and stats

A couple of important milestones were set in the process – the Giants beating the Crows for the first time, which was also a new benchmark for wins in a season, with four.

The Giants (4-2) have moved to second in Conference B with two games to play, while the Crows (2-4) will need a minor miracle to sneak into the finals, trailing third-placed Brisbane by a game and a half.

Irish star Cora Staunton booted a massive goal from just inside the 50m arc at the start of the final quarter to give the Giants a little bit of breathing room.

The Crows booted two goals in the opening quarter when they had the wind, but they didn't kick another major until former Giant Courtney Gum kicked truly at the 15-minute mark of the fourth quarter.

The third term proved to be decisive with the Giants holding the Crows goalless and getting one of their own courtesy of Britt Tully converting a 50m penalty.  

Parker was outstanding for the Giants with 30 disposals, Tait Mackrill and Rebecca Beeson were strong and Staunton kicked two goals.

Crows star Erin Phillips was pivotal through the midfield in her return from knee soreness, Deni Varnhagen provided plenty of run on the wing in her first game of the season and midfielders Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff found plenty of ball.

Giants defender Jess Allan was a late scratching after coming down with a cold on Sunday morning, but after being assessed by the team doctor, didn't show symptoms of COVID-19 and was allowed to stay around the team.

Did you see that?
Goals were like gold in a low-scoring slugfest. So, when Irish star Cora Staunton launched a massive set-shot kick from just inside the 50m arc at the start of the fourth quarter, the GWS supporters understandably made plenty of noise. It was a huge kick in more ways than one.

The ladder now
The Giants have all but punched their finals ticket for the first time with their fourth win of the season, moving to second in Conference B. In contrast, the Crows are fifth in Conference B, a win and a half behind third-placed Brisbane. The Crows need to win their final two games and rely on other results going their way to defend their title.

The hero
Alyce Parker has been outstanding for the Giants all season, and Sunday was no different. The gun midfielder had a game-high 30 disposals including 15 contested possessions, and couldn't be stopped against a star-studded Crows midfield featuring Erin Phillips, Anne Hatchard and Ebony Marinoff.

Five minutes of madness
Courtney Gum's second goal of the game with a few minutes on the clock put the Crows within striking distance of stealing victory. However, the Giants were able to hold firm and secure a valuable win. 

Say what?
"Adelaide had to win and I felt that we wanted to win. What I talked about to our players before the game was I hoped you wouldn't see that, that in fact, at quarter-time, you'd be able to say that we wanted it more than they did. In the context, I was pretty pleased." – Giants coach Alan McConnell

"I think it will be really challenging for us to make finals from here. If you do the maths, there might be a 0.05 per cent chance, but ultimately that was our opportunity to put ourselves right back into the mix." – Crows coach Matthew Clarke. 

What’s next?
The Giants have a six-day turnaround before they host Geelong at GIANTS Stadium next Saturday afternoon (5.10pm AEDT), while the Crows hit the road to face Gold Coast at Fankauser Reserve next Sunday afternoon (12.10pm AEST).

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

ADELAIDE                                     2.1     2.1     2.3     3.3     (21)
GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY     1.1     2.2     3.2     4.2     (26)

GOALS
Adelaide: Gum 2, Rajcic
Greater Western Sydney: Staunton 2, Hicks, Tully

BEST 
Adelaide: Hatchard, Marinoff, Phillips, Gum, Biddell, A Foley
Greater Western Sydney: Parker, Beeson, Mackrill, Tully, Bennetts, Staunton

INJURIES 
Adelaide: Sophie Li (AC joint)
Greater Western Sydney: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Adelaide: Nil
Greater Western Sydney: Jess Allan (illness) replaced in the selected side by Emily Goodsir

Umpires: Mitchell, Bryce, Lewis

Reports: Nil