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.

COLLINGWOOD has thrown Conference B wide open with a 29-point demolition of Brisbane at Hickey Park on Saturday.

The first AFL Women's game played in front of no crowd was one-way traffic from the outset as Collingwood was too tough, too quick and too polished to win 5.13 (43) to 2.2 (14).

LIONS v PIES Full match coverage and stats

The four points moves the Magpies into equal second in their conference with Melbourne and Carlton – ahead of that pair's clash on Saturday night.

Collingwood led by 15 points at the first change and 24 at half-time, margins that could have been greater bar some inaccurate kicking.

They had to withstand a strong third quarter from the Lions, but were never really challenged.

Brittany Bonnici was the midfield catalyst, racking up eight of her game-high 26 disposals in the first quarter.

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The 22-year-old was everywhere, winning balls in the middle of the ground and often a nice link from defence or bail-out option to help outnumbered teammates.

Bri Davey (22) was also prolific, Jaimee Lambert (16 and six tackles) shook the attention of Cathy Svarc, while Steph Chiocci worked tirelessly to finish with 18 touches.

Sarah D'Arcy was terrific in the forward line, and her 1.4 told only part of her impact, with two shots at goal touched on the line as part of her six-mark outing.

Collingwood won the contested ball (93-74) and were able to get it into space, carving Brisbane up with 47 uncontested marks to 27.

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The only downside for the Magpies was the early injury to much-improved ruck Sharni Layton, who appeared to dislocate her finger in the first quarter and took no further part in the victory.

Eliza Hynes was thrust into the lead role and was a more than adequate replacement.

The hero
You can't go past Brittany Bonnici. Collingwood had a litany of quality players, but the headgeared midfielder shone brightest. Bonnici was everywhere, collecting 26 disposals (10 of them contested) that included five clearances. When Brisbane challenged in the second half, it was the 22-year-old that often bobbed up in the defensive 50 to help cut and minutes later would be back onball to drive Collingwood forward. She's a great foil to seasoned campaigners Davey, Chiocci and Lambert. 

The difference
It was the perfect mix between inside and outside footy by the Magpies. The Lions have developed a reputation as one of the toughest teams in AFLW, but Collingwood smashed them at contested footy (97-76) and then more impressively beat them on the spread. The speed of ball movement and transition from end to end was eye-catching, with 47 uncontested marks to 27 a telling statistic. 

Did you see that?
It was one of very few highlights for Brisbane in a flat performance, but Cathy Svarc's goal to start the third quarter was a beauty. After a nice chain of possessions from the back half, speedster Svarc ran on to a loose ball just inside the 50, took her full measure and steadied to bang through a superb goal on the run from 30m.

Your time to shine
When ruck Sharni Layton went off in the opening minutes with a dislocated finger, things could have got out of hand quickly for the visitors. Thankfully though, Collingwood had been playing two rucks in recent weeks, so it was now Eliza Hynes' chance to step up as the one-out ruck. She delivered. Hynes dominated the hit-outs, giving the Magpies a 33-15 advantage that they converted to a 23-15 clearance win. If Layton has to spend time on the sidelines, Collingwood are still in good hands.

Say what?
"We're really pleased to come up here and bring our energy. Brisbane are a really good team. We knew they'd come at us at some stage, they're the number one hard ball contested team, so we knew they'd come at us physically. We put the bit between the teeth and wanted to show we were up for it," Collingwood coach Stephen Symonds. 

"There was no atmosphere, you're playing in front of no-one. That's not a reason, that’s not an influence on the game. We were shell-shocked by the opposition who were hungrier and had more energy earlier in the game and we were playing catch-up after that," Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich.

What’s next?
The Lions have their second six-day break in succession, travelling to Melbourne for a rare Friday night game against Richmond at Ikon Park, starting at 6.45pm AEDT. Collingwood will be out to continue its march towards the finals when it hosts St Kilda on Sunday night at Victoria Park, with the game starting at 7.10pm AEDT.

BRISBANE                 0.1       0.1       2.2       2.2 (14)
COLLINGWOOD        2.4       3.7       3.10     5.13 (43)

GOALS
Brisbane: Svarc, Davidson
Collingwood: Rowe, Alexander, Molloy, D'Arcy, Membrey 

BEST 
Brisbane: Lugg, Conway, Svarc, Davidson
Collingwood: Bonnici, Chiocci, Davey, D'Arcy, Lambert, Livingstone 

INJURIES 
Brisbane: Keeffe (ankle)
Collingwood: Layton (finger)

Reports: Nil

Umpires: Adair, Melin, Pell