ALL EYES will be on North Melbourne and Collingwood clashing under Saturday night lights at Marvel Stadium, in a match which could have lasting effects on the make-up of the finals.

Brisbane versus Adelaide looks to be an intriguing affair on Sunday, while the Western Bulldogs will host Melbourne for the annual Hampson-Hardeman Cup.

Friday, February 19

St Kilda v Geelong at RSEA Park, 7.10pm AEDT

• It will be St Kilda's third game in four weeks at Moorabbin, a ground which can often throw up a tricky wind. The Saints recorded 14 fewer inside 50s and clearances against Carlton last week, but have regained defensive recruit Bianca Jakobsson from a corked back.
• The Cats have now lost three on the trot, and while two have come against top-tier sides North Melbourne and Collingwood, last week's loss to the Dogs would have hurt. There are no big concerns over the midfield core winning the ball or the backline as a whole, but there's a disconnect between the middle and the forward line.
• Tip: This could be quite the torrid affair, with both sides having had a few scoreless quarters this season. It's time for the Cats to break the duck, but it'll be close. Nine points.

WATCH IT LIVE Saints v Cats

Saturday, February 20

Carlton v Richmond at Ikon Park, 3.10pm AEDT

• The troops have returned, and Carlton is on the board in 2021. The Blues looked a different side with Mua Laloifi and Gab Pound in defence. Maddy Prespakis saw off Georgia Patrikios, but now another former Calder Cannons teammate in Mon Conti awaits.
• Things seemed to click for Richmond in the last quarter against Collingwood, running in waves and finally converting some chances in front of goal. This is another stern test, and the Blues won't be caught quite as off guard, having seen what the Tigers can do at their best
• Tip: While it won't be quite the comprehensive rout seen in the round one match last year – Richmond's first at AFLW level – Carlton is still a class above the expansion team. Blues by 23 points.

WATCH IT LIVE Blues v Tigers

Fremantle v Gold Coast at Fremantle Oval, 2.10pm AWST

• The Dockers reigned supreme last week, knocking off the might of Adelaide on its own home deck, and recording 10 straight wins in the process. The backline was only caught off guard when Erin Phillips was shifted forward late, and the pressure around the ground forced numerous turnovers from the Crows.
• Things just aren't going to plan for the Suns. They seriously struggled with the wet conditions against the Giants, and while key backs Lauren Ahrens and Jade Pregelj are coping remarkably well with adversity, they'd have less to deal with if the Suns won more ball around the ground.
• Tip: Like last year's semi-final between these two sides (albeit the Suns' fourth consecutive road trip), this could get ugly. The Dockers are at the top of their game, and the Suns are very inexperienced. Dockers by 39 points.

WATCH IT LIVE Dockers v Suns

North Melbourne v Collingwood at Marvel Stadium, 7.10pm AEDT

• The Roos don't lose often. In fact, last week marked just the fourth time North hadn't sung the song after a game, with two of those losses coming against Melbourne. We're unlikely to see the Roos concede six goals in a quarter again, but this will be far from a walk in the park.
• Collingwood and North are building a nice little rivalry – the Pies lost to the Roos by just two points in last year's semi-final, but got the win with some strong attacking play in January's practice match. New senior assistant coach Scott Gowans will also be carrying some important IP, having coached the Roos for two years before being forced out by a COVID-19-induced restructure.
• Tip: The last time North Melbourne lost two games in a row was in 2019, and the perfect weather conditions under the roof at Marvel should suit their ball movement. This is the match of the round. Roos by three points.

WATCH IT LIVE Kangaroos v Magpies

Sunday, February 21

Brisbane v Adelaide at Hickey Park, 12.10pm AEST

• Brisbane is loving life at the top of the ladder, piling on goals for fun when the need strikes. Sunday proves to be their first big test, the Lions having comfortably accounted for expansion sides Richmond, Gold Coast and West Coast. Veteran forward Lauren Arnell is in career-best form, and keys Dakota Davidson and Jesse Wardlaw are benefiting from her smarts.
• Inaccuracy struck the Crows once again while playing Fremantle, kicking 1.7 and slumping to a 30-point loss. Erin Phillips had an impact when moved forward, but the switch possibly came too late. Skipper Chelsea Randall (concussion) should be a big inclusion this week.
• Tip: These two sides have history, having participated in the first AFLW Grand Final and playing in some tight contests since then. A tough call given the Lions' strong form, but the Crows might just have the edge. Eight points.

WATCH IT LIVE Lions v Crows

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne at VU Whitten Oval, 3.10pm AEDT

• The Dogs will be aiming for three wins in a row for the first time since the end of 2018-start of 2019, but this looms as a big task. Opposition teams have yet to find an answer for Izzy Huntington's marking up forward, or Ellie Blackburn's stellar form around the ground.
• Melbourne should be riding high, having produced some of its best ever footy against North Melbourne, piling on six goals in a quarter. The tall, multi-pronged attack of Tegan Cunningham, Jackie Parry, Eden Zanker and Alyssa Bannan is hard to shut down, with smooth mover Kate Hore the icing on top.
• Tip: The Hampson-Hardeman Cup is hotly contested between two of the forerunners of AFLW football, who played exhibition matches dating back to 2013. Dees should have too many paths to goal though, 19 points.

WATCH IT LIVE Bulldogs v Demons

Greater Western Sydney v West Coast at Blacktown International Sportspark, 5.10pm AEDT

• GWS should have some confidence under its belt after a mature performance against Gold Coast in the wet. Bec Beeson's form in the midfield is building nicely alongside star Alyce Parker, while the backline looked steadier, given it was Lou Stephenson's second match, after missing much of January due to work commitments.
• West Coast produced one outstanding quarter of footy against Brisbane, catching their more experienced opponents on the hop, but inaccuracy killed them, kicking 1.5. If the Eagles can keep up that pressure for longer, they'll be much better placed.
• Tip: Who knows what weather conditions Sydney will throw up this week, but back-to-back trips across the country could affect West Coast. Giants by 14 points.

WATCH IT LIVE Giants v Eagles

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ERIN Phillips reminded everyone why she's the best player in the AFLW, almost single-handedly ending Brisbane's unbeaten run with a stunning individual outing at Hickey Park on Sunday.

In scorching Brisbane conditions Phillips kicked four goals – including the sealer in the final minute – to propel Adelaide to a 6.9 (45) to 5.3 (33) victory.

LIONS v CROWS Full match coverage and stats

The two-time premiership star was unstoppable playing in the forward 50, gathering 21 disposals, hauling in eight marks and finding time for four clearances in her best on ground performance.

She kicked two goals in the opening term as the Crows jumped their opponents to race to a 17-point lead.

The home team did not relent though and scratched and clawed their way back into the match with a high workrate.

Ebony Marinoff (28 disposals) and Anne Hatchard (19) were also highly involved for the victors, who now join Brisbane with a 3-1 record.

The home team got within five points midway through the final quarter and had plenty of chances inside 50, but their rushed, tired disposals were often turned over by a well-organised Adelaide defence.

Adelaide never relinquished the lead.

Orla O'Dwyer had her best game in Lions colours with 14 disposals, five tackles and an incredible work ethic, while Bree Koenen was phenomenal in the defensive 50, highlighted by her fourth quarter rundown tackle on Hannah Munyard to stop a certain goal.

Brisbane played the second half without Lily Postlethwaite who injured her knee and did not return.

The moment
There was plenty to choose from for best-on-ground Erin Phillips, but her goal on the stroke of three quarter-time not only encapsulated her dominance, but drove a proverbial stake through Brisbane's heart. After the Crows had peppered the goals late in the quarter for no reward, Phillips took a huge contested mark among three opponents just 15m from goal. She went back and kicked her third to give the visitors a 13-point lead and some much-needed breathing space entering the fourth quarter.

Did you see that?
Thankfully it didn't cost the Crows in the end, but Hannah Munyard would be breathing a sigh of relief after being run down by Bree Koenen in the fourth quarter. With the game in the balance, Munyard took an uncontested mark 20m from goal and turned around to jog into what she thought was an open goalsquare. That was until Koenen mowed her down from behind to win the Lions a free kick.

Something for the Match Review?
Adelaide skipper Chelsea Randall could have a nervous wait after a final quarter incident saw Brisbane's Greta Bodey assisted from the field. After Taylor Smith's goal brought the Lions back within a point, Bodey was running towards a loose ball from the following centre bounce, and had her head over it, when Randall collided with her from the opposite direction. Bodey returned to the field to close the match out.

Say what?
"It was definitely a step up in quality. We'll get lots of learning from key moments in the game. We got scored against in the last minute of the second quarter, third quarter and last quarter. I know we had the slow start, but getting scored against late in quarters … is pretty deflating." – Brisbane coach Craig Starcevich

"We needed someone to finish the work. We were playing reasonably good footy but weren’t able to really make the most of our chances other than Erin who was outstanding in all aspects." – Adelaide coach Matthew Clarke

BRISBANE     0.0       3.0       4.1       5.3 (33)
ADELAIDE     2.5       4.6       5.8       6.9 (45) 

GOALS
Brisbane: Bodey 2, Davidson, Hodder, Smith
Adelaide: Phillips 4, Forth, Woodland

BEST 
Brisbane: O'Dwyer, Koenen, Bodey, Bates, Anderson, Campbell
Adelaide: Phillips, Marinoff, Hatchard, Jones, Randall, Foley

INJURIES 
Brisbane: Postlethwaite (knee), Campbell (knee)
Adelaide: Nil

Reports: Nil

Crowd: TBC at Hickey Park

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