THE FINAL home-and-away round of the seventh AFL Women’s season kicks off on Friday night, with a double-header leading into a weekend which will determine the shape of the top eight. We run through the key points for all nine games in our Round 10 preview.

FORM

Carlton comes in off a two match losing streak, and will be keen to finish its season on a high having missed out on finals.

The Bulldogs, on the other hand, are on a two match winning streak and will be desperate to increase that to three in order to confirm their spot in the top eight.

LADDER RAMIFICATIONS

If Carlton wins, the Blues can finish as high as 10th, while the Dogs would finish eighth or ninth depending on whether or not Gold Coast wins. If the Bulldogs win, they are guaranteed to play finals, finishing as high as sixth, but no lower than eighth. The Blues will likely slip to at least 13th with the loss.

TEAM NEWS

Carlton have made one change for their last clash of the season, brining in Gabriella Pound for Imogen Milford.

The Bulldogs have been forced to make two changes, bringing back in Gemma Lagioia and Heidi Woodley for Rylie Wilcox who has been forced out due to Year 12 exams, and the injured Kirsten McLeod.

KEY PLAYERS

This battle really is going to be won in the midfield, with Carlton’s dynamic duo of Mimi Hill and Abbie McKay set to test their mettle against the likes of Kirsty Lamb, Ellie Blackburn and Jessica Fitzgerald.

We may even see the battle of the Moody sisters in the ruck, with Breann and Celine set to line up on opposite teams.

PREDICTION

The Western Bulldogs are the better team in form, and have more to play for in this clash. Carlton will try to put up a fight considering they really have nothing to lose, but the Bulldogs should be too strong in this one and should book their place in the finals.

FORM

Brisbane has been the team to beat all year and will be looking to lock up top spot tonight.

Collingwood, on the other hand, has been consistently strong recently but had a huge slip up against North Melbourne last week, and will tonight be looking to win to secure a spot in the top four.

LADDER RAMIFICATIONS

If Brisbane wins, to spot awaits unless Melbourne can somehow make up the percentage.

If the Lions lose, realistically they can only drop to second at worse because Adelaide’s percentage is too far adrift.

Collingwood must win in order to guarantee a top four spot, and even then it may come down to percentage and whoever wins the Richmond-North Melbourne clash.

If the Magpies lose, they will still play finals but it will be an elimination bout for them next week instead.

TEAM NEWS

Brisbane has made no changes to its side for this clash, while Collingwood has made three.

The Magpies have brought in Alana Porter, Ash Brazill and debutant Emily Smith, for the injured Ruby Schleicher and omitted pair Alison Downie and Imogen Evans.

KEY PLAYERS

For Brisbane, it is all about the midfield brigade of Emily Bates, Ally Anderson and Orla O’Dwyer, who have really been the backbone and at the forefront of much of Brisbane’s attacking movement this season.

For Collingwood, it is hard to go past the likes of Chloe Molloy and Stacey Livingstone, who have been a thorn in the side of many opponents this season, on seperate lines.

PREDICTION

Collingwood will come out firing and will no doubt give it everything have to ensure a win that all-important top four spot.

However, Brisbane has been a class above just about everyone all year, and especially because the game is in Queensland should prove too strong in this one.

FORM

Melbourne is peaking at just the right time of the season, and will be looking to maintain that form and secure a top two place this weekend.

The Eagles have not been in such a rich vein of form, and will be looking to finish their season on a high.

LADDER RAMIFICATIONS

A Melbourne win will mean the Demons finish top two, and whether it is first or second depends on how Brisbane fares tonight.

If they lose top two is still realistic because the percentage gap between them and Adelaide is just too great for the Crows to catch up.

For West Coast, on the other hand, a win could realistically result in a finish anywhere between 12th and 14th depending on percentage, but if the Eagles lose it will be 16th or 17th depending on Port Adelaide’s result.

TEAM NEWS

Melbourne could regain Sabreena Duffy, Maddison Gay and Jordan Ivey this week, while West Coast is not set to recall anyone from its injury list for their final match of the season.

KEY PLAYERS

Melbourne’s midfield brigade of Tyla Hanks, Olivia Purcell, Karen Paxman and Eliza West have really taken their game to another level this year.

Meanwhile for the Eagles, some of their young guns in Jaide Britton and Ella Roberts have been a great addition to the team this year and have complimented the experienced heads of Emma Swanson and Dana Hooker.

PREDICTION

Melbourne is hitting its stride at the perfect time of the season, an especially since tomorrow’s match is at Casey, the Demons should have no trouble taking care of the Eagles.

FORM

St Kilda has had its ups and downs this season, but will be looking to finish its season on a high this week with two wins in a row.

Adelaide had a hiccup a fortnight ago against Brisbane, but has for the most part been a pretty consistently dominant side in Season 7.

LADDER RAMIFICATIONS

For St Kilda, a win or loss is the difference between a 10th-place finish, or 16th, depending on other results.

For the Crows, a win means they are in the top four. It is possible for them to still finish top two, but it’s unlikely as the percentage gap between them and second placed Melbourne is quite significant.

They may remain in the top four even if they lose, but it’ll come down to percentage.

TEAM NEWS

There is a chance both Nat Exon and Clara Fitzpatrick will be back for the Saints this week, while for Adelaide, there are no probably inclusions off the injury list.

KEY PLAYERS

St Kilda’s tall timber at either end of the ground, namely Bianca Jakobsson and Kate Shierlaw, have been shining lights for in what has been a frustrating year at times.

For Adelaide, a midfield consisting of the likes of Ebony Marinoff and Anne Hatchard is really the core of the Crows’ success and where it all starts.

PREDICTION

Expect St Kilda to give it everything in its last match of the year and really take it up to the Crows as we have seen in seasons past. Ultimately, Adelaide should prove too strong and take the win.

FORM

Geelong had a slight hiccup last week against Adelaide, but for the most part has produced a solid season of improvement.

Sydney, on the other hand, has had a tough first season despite showing glimpses of potential, with a win alluding the Swans.

LADDER RAMIFICATIONS

Geelong will be playing its first finals series this year, and will most likely finish between 5th and 8th regardless of the result.

For Sydney, bottom spot awaits no matter what, but if the Swans win they will finish the season on the highest of possible highs with their inaugural points.

TEAM NEWS

In positive news for the Cats, they have no one on their injury list at the moment and can effectively select from a full strength squad.

Meanwhile, the Swans will have to make at least one change, with Montana Ham coming out of the side because of Year 12 exams.

KEY PLAYERS

Much of Geelong’s success starts from the back, so the likes of Meg McDonald, Annabel Johnson and Claudia Gunjaca proven cornerstones of Geelong’s rise this year.

For Sydney, it has really been Ham who has shone brightest, so the Swans are going to have to find someone to step up in that midfield and fill the void she leaves. Cue the continued rise of fellow youngsters Cynthia Hamilton and Sofia Hurley.

PREDICTION

Geelong should be too strong in this one, gearing up for finals with a solid hitout.

FORM

Neither of these sides have had particularly dazzling seasons, but will be keen to finish it off on a high this weekend with a win.

LADDER RAMIFICATIONS

For both Fremantle and Hawthorn, a win or a loss means a finish anywhere between 10th and 15th or 16th, depending on other results.

TEAM NEWS

Hawthorn will have to make a number of changes, with Jasmine Fleming and Emily Everist coming out of the team this week due to Year 12 exams.

Fremantle appears likely to welcome back Kara Antonio from injury this week for one last hoorah before she retires.

KEY PLAYERS

The most crucial cogs for both sides are in their midfield.

Hayley Miller and Kiara Bowers have really carried Fremantle through a frustrating campaign, while Tilly Lucas-Rodd has really lead from the front for the Hawks.

PREDICTION

This is one of the most 50/50 matches for the whole weekend.

Both teams have a stalwart of the competition retiring, but the fact that the game is in Fremantle swings the pendulum slightly in the home side’s favour.

FORM

Both of these sides have shown glimpses in their inaugural season, but have also been inconsistent at times. They are both coming off frustrating losses last week and would love nothing more than to finish off their seasons with a win.

LADDER RAMIFICATIONS

Essendon can only finish as high as 10th, but could drop to as low as 15th or 16th if they lose, and depending on other results.

Meanwhile for Port, even a win will not see them finish any higher than 15th, but a loss will see them stay put in 17th.

TEAM NEWS

Essendon may get Mia Van Dyke back this week from injury, while Port Adelaide is unfortunately not set to get regain anyone off its injury list in time before the season is up.

KEY PLAYERS

The key for either side to get the win is to shut down their opponent’s best players – Erin Phillips, and Hannah Ewings for Port, and Bonnie Toogood and Madison Prespakis for the Bombers. Essendon and Port are two sides whose success usually rests on the influence of a few, so shut those down and you’re halfway to success.

PREDICTION

If the preseason practice match is anything to go by this should be an entertaining tussle. However, the Bombers have been more consistent this year and should get the win.

FORM

Both teams have had a great season, and come into this crucial match off the back of solid wins last week against Collingwood and GWS respectively.

LADDER RAMIFICATIONS

To put it simply, this is a battle for top four and it all depends on how Collingwood fares.

Because of percentage, the winner will finish in the top four and earn a double chance – especially if Collingwood loses – and the loser will finish in the bottom half of the eight.

If North wins and Collingwood wins though, Richmond will drop out of the four and neither North or the Tigers will finish in the top four.

TEAM NEWS

Over at Arden St it is a wait and see regarding whether Emma Kearney will play due to knee soreness, but it has been confirmed that Hannah Bowey will make her debut this weekend.

Meanwhile, there are a number of Tigers that may or may not play this week due to injury, including Katie Brennan, Poppy Kelly, Eilish Sheerin and Courtney Wakefield.

KEY PLAYERS

For both sides, it is their midfielders who are the top of the tree.

On one side you have Ash Riddell and Jasmine Garner, taking on the likes of Monique Conti and Grace Egan.

PREDICTION

This is another one of those genuine 50/50 clashes this weekend. There is a lot to play for for both sides, but Richmond really is in a rich vein of form that seems hard to topple. Richmond in a close one.

FORM

Both of these sides have had inconsistent last months or so, but will be keen to see out the year on a high with a win this weekend.

LADDER RAMIFICATIONS

Although Gold Coast’s finals chances are not technically over, the Suns would have to win by a considerable amount and hope the Bulldogs lose to Carlton in order to have any chance of sliding into eighth.

But with the Bulldogs likely to beat Carlton tonight, Gold Coast is likely to stay put in ninth either way.

GWS is among a bunch of teams that could finish anywhere between 10th and 15th or 16th based on percentage and other results, regardless of win or loss.

TEAM NEWS

For the Giants, it is a wait and see as to whether Alicia Eva and Brid Stack will be right to play this week, while it is unclear whether Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster will be back for the Suns from a knee injury.

KEY PLAYERS

For Gold Coast, the likes of Lauren Bella, Tara Bohanna and Charlie Rowbottom have all had great seasons, while for GWS Cora Staunton and Alyce Parker are absolute rocks of the side, along with the emerging Tarni Evans.

PREDICTION

These is an interesting clash that has notoriously been both low scoring and weather affected in previous years. However, the Suns have made significant improvement this year and they should finish their season off with a win.