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.

FREMANTLE has produced a brilliant final quarter to down the Western Bulldogs by 15 points in one of the most exciting games in NAB AFL Women's history.

Ebony Antonio led the Dockers to their sixth straight win with 19 disposals and a brilliant momentum-shifting goal in the last term, with the visitors booting four goals to one after the final change.

FULL MATCH COVERAGE Check out all the news and stats

The 10.6 (66) to 8.3 (51) result set the record as the highest aggregate score between two AFL Women's sides.

Ashley Sharp and Mia-Rae Clifford were outstanding for Fremantle with five goals between them, while usual stars Sabreena Duffy and Gemma Houghton were well held.

Bulldogs forward Danielle Marshall had one of the most bizarre passages of the year, as she attempted a set shot halfway through the last quarter with her right foot before getting smothered.

The forward gathered the ground ball seconds later and nailed the goal on the run with her left foot instead.

WATCH IT LIVE How to follow the AFLW this weekend

Isabel Huntington was outstanding as an interceptor across half-back for the Bulldogs, while Ellie Blackburn led the way for most of the day with two goals.

The Bulldogs led for most of the day and looked like they would cause an upset after Docker Katie-Jayne Grieve gave away two 50 metre penalties in succession to start the third quarter, allowing Aisling McCarthy to kick the easiest goal of her life.

The moment…
The Bulldogs looked to be pulling away until Ashley Sharp took a strong contested mark in the goal square for the second of her three goals for the day. The Fremantle forward became the focal point with Roxanne Roux rested and Gemma Houghton misfiring.

The late changes
Sapre a thought for Bulldogs defender Lauren Spark who woke up on Sunday morning battling migraines and vertigo. Dogs vice-captain Brooke Lochland has struggled to get a clean run at it this season and was a late omission as the Bulldogs manage her body. After suffering a hamstring injury at the start of this year, Lochland has played just two matches in 2020.

Big steps for the little whippets
Eleanor Brown (11 disposals) and Elisabeth Georgiostathis (13 disposals) were outstanding in the backline for the Bulldogs. The two took turns to shut down Sabreena Duffy (five disposals) and managed to generate plenty of rebounds off the flanks.

Don't say it…
The Dockers have won all six of their games and are a real chance at finishing the season unbeaten, but don't let Fremantle coach Trent Cooper hear that. That thought has not crossed the minds of the Dockers even for a second. Finals aren't even yet guaranteed with Carlton, Melbourne and Collingwood breathing down their necks in Conference B.

Say what?
"From a communication standpoint on the field it was definitely a lot easier, you could hear from line to line." - Bulldogs defender Issy Huntington on the absence of a crowd.

"We had a mindset that we were playing a team who were the top of the ladder. If we just tried to shut it down and made it a dour game we weren't going to learn anything from it." - Bulldogs coach Nathan Burke on the aggressive game style.

"The most crucial point of the game was probably the contested mark by Sharp in the goal square when the momentum was against us." - Fremantle coach Trent Cooper on what changed the game.

"Not really a factor it all, it wasn't too weird. Local footy you have hardly anyone that comes down to watch you so it was a bit like that really." - Fremantle midfielder Kara Antonio said on the crowd lockout.

What's next?
The Bulldogs face the red-hot Kangaroos at Arden Street next Saturday at 3.10pm AEDT, while the Dockers will fly home to host Melbourne at 1.10pm AWST. 

WESTERN BULLDOGS               2.0     4.1     7.3     8.3     (51)
FREMANTLE                             1.2     4.3     6.5     10.6   (66)

GOALS
Western Bulldogs: Blackburn, McLeod 2, Munyard, McCarthy, Berry, Marshall
Fremantle: Sharp 3, Clifford 2, K. Antonio, Miller, Pugh, E.Antonio, Flood

BEST 
Western Bulldogs:  Huntington, Blackburn, McCarthy, Georgiostathis, Newton, Brown
Fremantle: Bowers, E. Antonio, Gooch, Miller, K. Antonio, Clifford

INJURIES 
Western Bulldogs: Nil
Fremantle: Nil

LATE CHANGES
Western Bulldogs: Brooke Lochland (managed) replaced by Brittney Gutknecht, Lauren Spark (unwell) replaced by Nicole Callinan
Fremantle: Janelle Cuthbertson (soreness) replaced by Sarah Garstone

Reports: Nil