AFTER a weekend off last weekend, the VFL Women’s is back this weekend, and with only three rounds left in the season and only two games separating first place from seventh, there is so much of the story of the season left to be told.

The first of five matches tomorrow is in Williamstown as the Seagulls try to push on into the top six with a win over the Western Bulldogs. They are only half a game outside finals at the moment, and with a potential first finals campaign on the horizon, will not want to make things any harder for themselves by dropping a game against a Bulldogs side who really have nothing to lose for the rest of this season.

Both teams have made two changes this week. The Seagulls gain back Phoebe Chisholm and Danika Di Santo, while the Bulldogs gain back Imahra Cameron but lose both Dominique Carbone and Sarah Skinner.

An hour later and up the freeway an old rivalry returns for another instalment as Collingwood takes on Carlton. Collingwood currently finds itself pushing for a top two finish, while Carlton cannot really afford to drop many more points if it wants to play finals in 2023.

Both teams will be without a key playmaker this week, with Nyakoat Dojiok and Madeleine Di Cosmo off playing for the Under 23 All-Stars in their clash against the AFLW Academy Girls.

Game three of tomorrow’s packed schedule is in Sandringham where the Kangaroos will be hosting the Southern Saints.

The Kangaroos are in a very similar situation to Carlton in the sense that they cannot really afford to drop many more points if they want to play finals, but coming up against the top of the table Saints will certainly make that tricky. The Saints on the other hand can take a huge step towards, or perhaps even lock in, their finals place for 2023 with a win this weekend.

Marguerite Purcell and Annaleise Xanthos are among three inclusions for the Kangaroos this week, while the Saints have made six changes, including bringing in the likes of Melanie Bertuna and debutant Jemma Ramsdale.

Further down the bay, Casey is hosting the Bombers in what may turn out to be a do-or-die match for Casey’s 2023 finals hopes, with the Dees in a similar position to the Roos and Blues. Essendon on the other hand, will also be desperate for the win to give itself some breathing space inside the top six.

Debutant Ella Morris is one of three inclusions for Casey this week, while Eleanor Cornish is one of two returnees for the Bombers.

At the same time on the other side of the bay, Geelong will be hosting the Box Hill Hawks. There is only half a game separating these two on the ladder at the moment, so both will be keen for a win against the old rival.

Ingrid Houtsma and Kalani Scoullar are two of four inclusions this week for the Cats, while for the Hawks Erin Woodford is one of four inclusions while Grace McRae is out with an injury.

The only match on Sunday sees the Darebin Falcons host Port Melbourne.

Darebin will be hoping to shock Port Melbourne and pick up their first win of the season, while Port will want to bag the win to keep in touch with the top two and further cement themselves in the top six.

Injuries have not been kind to both sides this week, with Sabine Cowley Du Parquet, Simone Ruedin, Stephanie Simpson, Courteney Bromage, Lisa Davie and Kaitlyn O’Keefe all missing with injury.