GWS Giants v Brisbane Lions
7.05pm (AEDT) Friday, March 16
Blacktown International Sports Park

In the first of three all-important clashes this weekend (where five teams will be whittled down to two), Greater Western Sydney and Brisbane will be playing for a spot in next week's NAB AFLW Grand Final. The Giants are in the better position to grab a place if they can dispose of the fifth-placed Lions, with both teams reliant on other results to fall their way. 

The Giants have recalled veteran midfielder Renee Forth, who replaces injured forward Aimee Schmidt after the latter sustained an ankle injury in last weekend's win over the Bulldogs. Forth played the first five matches of the season, but has spent the past fortnight on the sidelines.

AFLW: Latest news, fixture and results here

GWS will have all the momentum heading into the must-win match, having not lost in the last four rounds (including a draw in round four). Vice-captain Alicia Eva said the Giants' self-belief had continued to grow over the past month after they started the season with two straight losses.

"It is much better when you are coming off a win rather than a loss," Eva said.

"When you are 0-2 it is a challenge to get yourself up. We came off a really close loss to Melbourne, and the round two game against Carlton wasn't super, but we knew we were playing some pretty exciting footy … we haven't lost since round two.

"Momentum is huge and we are pretty pumped up, but we know Brisbane will throw everything at us."

AFLW teams: Dogs welcome back skipper for do-or-die clash

The Giants will need to be wary of the strong-finishing Lions, who have won all six of their final quarters this season.

Brisbane is unchanged despite losing to Collingwood last weekend, with key forward Sabrina Frederick-Traub confident her team would be able to get back to its best.

"We are actually up and about more than people might expect," she said.

"It's our last game, potentially, and I think everyone is going into it thinking this could be the last time we play together as a group … They are ready to give their all."

Renee Forth comes back into a Giants outfit in fine form. Picture: AFL Photos

Fremantle v Carlton
2.05pm (AWST) Saturday, March 17
Fremantle Oval

In the only game this weekend that has no bearing on the Grand Final make-up, Carlton and Fremantle will be playing to avoid the wooden spoon.

After falling 38 points behind in the first quarter against Melbourne in round six, the Blues will want to come out firing, as they look to break a four-game losing streak.

Carlton has played a defensive style of footy this season and is the most inaccurate team in the competition.

The Blues have made three changes to their line-up, bringing in West Australian Katie-Jayne Grieve, Lauren Brazzale (returning from a shoulder injury) and vice-captain Lauren Arnell. The trio replaces Laura Attard, Tiahna Cochrane and Madeline Keryk.

Fremantle defender Ebony Antonio said the team would be looking to end the season on a high.

"We will bring our fight and our hunger to win the game. We really want to show our fans we are a serious team and to be taken seriously. Hopefully we can get the win and take that momentum into next year," Antonio said.

Kellie Gibson will play her first match for Fremantle, after being joining the club from Adelaide in the off-season. Gibson suffered a hip-flexor injury in a pre-season match against the Crows. Ashley Sharp also returns to the side, while rookie Jade de Melo and forward Stacey Barr have been omitted.

Ebony Antonio and Freo will look to end the season with a home win. Picture: AFL Photos 

Western Bulldogs v Melbourne
7.10pm (AEDT) Saturday, March 17
VU Whitten Oval

The return of Western Bulldogs' skipper Katie Brennan will make for a more dynamic forward set-up as the Bulldogs face Melbourne, with a guaranteed Grand Final appearance for the winner.

Brennan has been missing since round three, after suffering ligament damage in the same ankle that plagued her last season.

"We are really looking forward to 'KB' being back in and bringing her energy and her vibe to the group," vice-captain Ellie Blackburn told the club's website.

"It definitely feels like a preliminary final this week. The girls are really excited."

Round four NAB Rising Star nominee Aisling Utri also returns to the side after sitting out last week with injury, while Kirsten McLeod will miss the clash with a hamstring injury.

It will be a battle in the middle as some of the competition's best on-ballers go head-to-head, with Melbourne trio Daisy Pearce, Karen Paxman and Elise O'Dea competing against joint 2017 best and fairest winners Emma Kearney and Blackburn, who this year have been amply supported by Kirsty Lamb.

"[We will] try to focus on what we can do when we have the footy and try and slow them down as much as possible by gaining uncontested possession. They are obviously a great outfit and their midfield is going to be a great challenge for us," Blackburn told SEN.

After smashing Carlton in the first quarter last weekend, Melbourne will have plenty of confidence going into the game, but will be without All Australian defender Melissa Hickey after she suffered a season-ending ACL injury against the Blues. Hickey underwent surgery on Tuesday, but coach Mick Stinear said the veteran defender would have an off-field role.

Hickey will be replaced by Bianca Jakobsson, who returns from a quad injury, while Sarah Lampard will play her first game of the season after injuring her hamstring prior to the home and away season.

Bianca Jakobsson returns for Melbourne's critical clash with the Dogs. Picture: AFL Photos

Collingwood v Adelaide
2.35pm (AEDT) Sunday, March 18
Olympic Park Oval

Last year Adelaide booked a ticket into the inaugural AFLW Grand Final by beating Collingwood in round seven, with Erin Phillips and Sarah Perkins combining for seven goals. In an uncannily similar scenario, a place in the Grand Final could potentially come down to the same game this year.

Adelaide coach Bec Goddard said the Crows were in the advantageous position (by playing in the last match of the round) of knowing exactly what needed to happen come the first bounce.

"The focus will be on winning, rather than the need to pile on six, seven, eight, nine goals. Because as soon as you start talking about that, you are not going to get the result you want," Goddard said.

"If Collingwood had another two weeks they would be right in the hunt for the premiership, because they are playing some really devastating football at the moment.

"We need to work out how to stop that great running and kicking game they've got going.

"Like we always say, when the foot is on the goose's neck, it's your choice to put the foot down or leave it hanging."

The Crows have named premiership duo Sally Riley and Georgia Bevan in their extended squad, to be finalised on Friday afternoon.

The Magpies will be playing for pride as they look to cap off their season with a victory at home. Having won two of its past three games, Collingwood is finally hitting form and should be in prime condition to beat the Crows.

Defender Ruby Schleicher will miss the clash with concussion, with Bree White, Holly Whitford and Sarah Dargan have been named in the extended squad. 

The Pies will look to continue their winning form against the Crows. Picture: AFL Photos