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.

GOLD Coast has kept its slim finals chances alive and underlined its status as the season's best expansion team with a 25-point win against West Coast on Sunday.

The Suns, who have two wins and a draw from their past five games, jumped Geelong and Adelaide to sit one win outside the top three in Conference B with the grinding win.

They held their ground at stoppages and outclassed the Eagles when going forward, kicking 5.3 (33) to 1.2 (8) at an empty Mineral Resources Park in Perth.

The loss left West Coast anchored to the bottom of Conference B with one win from six games.

EAGLES v SUNS Full match coverage and stats

Luke Dwyer's team won the clearances (16-13) and inside 50s (29-26) but was unable to capitalise in attack.

Gold Coast sharpshooter Kalinda Howarth was the star, booting four goals, including brilliant back-to-back snaps in the third quarter to separate the teams.

She kicked the opener and a goal on the siren, putting an exclamation point on her day out, which saw her constantly elude the Eagles' defenders.

The Suns' backline was also rock solid all day, keeping the Eagles to 0.2 across the first three quarters.

THE RUN HOME Is the Crows' flag defence over?

Eagles midfielder Hayley Bullas kicked her team's only goal when she won a free kick for a high tackle late in the final quarter, staying composed and converting her 30m set shot. 

West Coast was bruised and battered by the final siren and looks to have lost Irish rookie Grace Kelly to a left knee injury after she left the game on a stretcher in the second quarter.

She will undergo scans and the Eagles said the initial diagnosis was positive.

The first blow
Howarth's big day started with just over five minutes to play in the first quarter when she emerged from a rolling maul with the footy and slammed it on her right boot. Roughly 25m out and on an angle, her goal nous was obvious and it gave the Suns reward for a bright opening that had seen them have the better of the midfield battle without capitalising. 

Sliding doors moment 
Approaching the end of the third quarter, Dana Hooker used her skill to start a chain that ended with a contested mark for Parris Laurie. The tall Eagle, who led the ruck, lined up 15m out on a slight angle and would have cut the margin to seven points if she'd converted and given the Eagles the reward they deserved for the hard, contested style they played. She didn't and the Suns took the ball up the other end and Howarth kicked two goals in a minute, effectively ending the low-scoring contest. 

Did you see that?
Former Fremantle and Western Bulldogs half-back Belinda Smith has established herself as a speedster and she showed off her wheels early in the third quarter. She burnt off Jordann Hickey, took a bounce and set up a forward entry, letting her Gold Coast opponent know afterwards. It was a great display of pace, but the story of the day for the Eagles was their inability to capitalise.  

Playing to the siren 
As Suns midfielder Molly Ritson streamed off half-back and kicked long in the last two minutes of the game, Eagle Courtney Guard was scrambling back to make a contest at the drop of the ball. She courageously put herself in the hole and took a big hit when Gold Coast's Brittany Perry crashed through to take a brilliant mark. The contest was over, but Guard kept playing the way the Eagles want, setting an example for her teammates.

FULL FIXTURE Every round, every game

Say what?
"On the end of three road trips they were entitled to be worn out, but I just loved the way they turned up. I thought West Coast's pressure was outstanding. That's as much pressure as we've had to play under physically. We just had to wait for our opportunities, probably late in quarters and take our chances." – Gold Coast coach David Lake 

"We had plenty of the footy but just couldn't convert. Full credit to Gold Coast, they really made us pay. We just know that we've got to get better in certain areas of the game, which is finishing off our work. We've had a good chat about that after the game." - West Coast coach Luke Dwyer  

What's next?
The Suns return home after three road trips and host Adelaide at Fankhauser Reserve next Sunday at 12:10pm AEST, needing to win to keep their season alive. The Eagles travel to Ikon Park to meet Carlton next Saturday at 1:10pm AEDT.

WEST COAST               0.0   0.1   0.2   1.2 (8)  
GOLD COAST               1.2   2.2   4.3   5.3 (33)

GOALS
West Coast: Bullas
Gold Coast: Howarth 4, Hickey

BEST 
West Coast: Hooker, Smith, Cameron, Swanson, Atkins
Gold Coast: Howarth, Hampson, Stanton, Surman, Dunn, Watson, Ahrens

INJURIES 
West Coast: Grace Kelly (left knee) 
Gold Coast: Kate Surman (nose)

LATE CHANGES
West Coast: Maddy Collier (calf) replaced in the selected squad by Danika Pisconeri     
Gold Coast: Nil

Reports: Nil