Hawthorn is closing in on a top-two finish after clinching a 37-point win over GWS in Frankston.

Having all but secured a top-four berth, the Hawks have set their sights on hosting a home qualifying final after defeating the Giants 9.7 (61) to 3.6 (24) on Saturday.

Hawthorn, who has an 8-1 win-loss record, could finish on top of the ladder if results fall their way this round.

It is a remarkable transformation for first-year coach Daniel Webster’s Hawks, who had not won more than three matches a season until this year.

Emily Bates (one goal, 34 disposals and eight clearances) led the way for Hawthorn, while Aileen Gilroy (three goals) did the heavy lifting in attack in the absence of the injured Greta Bodey.

It was the 16th-placed Giants’ seventh loss for the season, although Alyce Parker was a shining light against the Hawks.

Explosive from the first bounce, midfielder Parker finished with 27 disposals, six clearances and eight tackles.

Tarni Evans lit up GWS with the first two goals in the opening three minutes, before the Hawks made up ground to be just two points behind at the first change.

Gilroy provided a first-quarter highlight after bringing out the ‘bow and arrow’ to celebrate a tight set-shot in windy conditions for Hawthorn’s second goal.

The hosts were able to trap play in their forward half but found no scoreboard reward in the second term, jumping ahead by just one point courtesy of a wayward Aine McDonagh shot at goal.

Bates finally broke through for the first major since the opening quarter, before Gilroy and Charlotte Baskaran (two goals and 10 disposals) added one apiece to put the Hawks ahead by 19 points before the final break.

Jessica Doyle peeled one back for the Giants to open the fourth quarter, but Gilroy countered with her third of the match.

Dockers maintain perfect Derby record

Former Eagle Aisling McCarthy and ruck Mim Strom produced stand-out displays to lead Fremantle to a 23-point win over West Coast in the latest instalment of the AFLW Derby.

The Dockers kicked three unanswered goals in the opening term of the match before weathering an Eagles fightback in the third quarter to secure the 5.5 (35) to 1.6 (12) win at Leederville Oval.

The result improved Fremantle’s Derby record to a perfect 7-0.

But more importantly, the Dockers (6-3) remain in contention for a top-four spot with two rounds remaining.

The Eagles’ third loss in a row dropped them to a 4-5 record, ending their finals hopes in Daisy Pearce’s first year as coach.

Strom (48 hit-outs, 15 disposals and seven tackles) won the Derby medal as best afield, with her dominance helping Fremantle win the clearance count 35-25.

McCarthy spent four seasons with West Coast before making the move to Fremantle at the end of last season.

The 28-year-old starred against her former side, tallying 20 disposals, 11 tackles and five clearances, in addition to kicking a goal.

Isabella Lewis (26 disposals, seven clearances) and Ella Roberts (17 disposals, five clearances) battled hard for West Coast.

Fremantle was hit with a pre-match blow when former skipper Hayley Miller was ruled out for a second consecutive week with a calf injury.

The Dockers lost Madeleine Scanlon to concussion during the match, while Eagles defender Belinda Smith suffered a match-ending leg injury in the second quarter.

Demons stay in finals race

Alyssa Bannan kicked four goals as Melbourne’s resurrection continued with a 13-point win over Richmond at Casey Fields.

Bannan slotted two goals in the opening quarter to help set the tone as the Demons eased to the 8.3 (51) to 5.8 (38) victory.

The Demons led by 33 points late in the match, but three goals to Richmond forward Caitlin Greiser in the last five minutes helped Richmond add respectability to the scoreboard.

Melbourne’s finals hopes looked dead and buried after its 72-7 loss to Essendon on September 27 dropped the club to a 1-4 record.

But four wins on the trot has catapulted Melbourne (5-4) right back into the finals mix with just two rounds remaining.

Melbourne faces in-form Hawthorn and struggling Collingwood in its last two matches, needing to win both to make finals.

Richmond slipped to a 6-3 record, with the loss to Melbourne putting its top-four hopes in jeopardy.

In an added blow, Richmond skipper Katie Brennan could be set for a stint on the sidelines after injuring her right ankle while being tackled in the second term, ruling her out for the rest of the match.

Richmond’s Ellie McKenzie provided the highlight of the opening quarter when she got the ball on the wing, took three bounces at full pace before nailing her goal on the run.

Not to be outdone, Bannan kicked two goals for the term, including a sensational effort with the outside of the right boot to give the Demons a six-point edge at the first break.

Melbourne’s Eden Zanker took a strong grab to kick the only goal of the second quarter, helping extend the Demons’ lead to 11 points at half-time.

Bannan kicked her third goal early in the third term, with the Tigers restricted to just three behinds for the quarter.

Melbourne put the match to bed early in the last quarter with three quick goals, including Bannan’s fourth courtesy of a free kick.

Suns prevail against Swans

Jacqueline Dupuy launched Gold Coast to its first victory of the season after kicking a late goal in their four-point win over the Sydney Swans.

Dupuy slotted the match-winner with a minute left on the clock to clinch the 7.8 (50) to 6.10 (46) result at Henson Park.

It is the Suns’ first win after seven rounds and lifts them off the bottom of the ladder, at least temporarily.

In contrast, injury-ravaged Sydney’s already slim finals aspirations end with a 2-6 record and two rounds to go.

The 15th-placed Swans were looking to make back-to-back finals but struggled to compete after losing stars Chloe Molloy (knee), Ally Morphett (foot) and Laura Gardiner (hand) to long-term injuries.

Claudia Whitfort was the main star for the Suns in her 50th match, returning from concussion to finish with one goal, 22 disposals and 10 clearances.

Tara Bohanna kicked two goals to set up an early Suns ascendancy, but the Swans rallied to reduce the margin to two points at quarter-time.

Alexia Hamilton was left lamenting a missed opportunity to send the hosts ahead after earning a free kick in front of goal in the second term.

Hamilton sent her set shot wide for a behind, before an ill-disciplined Lucy Single gave away another free kick.

But Hamilton again went wide to draw score levels at 3.3 (21), before fullback Meara Girvan popped up forward to send the visitors ahead again by six points.

The Swans dominated possession in the third quarter but could not find scoreboard reward, kicking four behinds to trail by six points at the final change.

Suns forward Taya Oliver kicked the only goal of the third term, before the Swans mounted a late challenge in the final quarter.

Lucy McEvoy and Rebecca Privitelli sent the ball between the big sticks to give the Suns a fourth-quarter scare, but Dupuy saved the day.

AAP