North Melbourne's VFLW side will be hoping to build on its stirring win over Williamstown last week with a victory over the winless Western Bulldogs this weekend.

The lay of the land is a simple one for the Kangaroos. They must win to keep their finals hopes alive.

Although the Bulldogs remain winless for the season they'll certainly be no walkovers. They've experienced something of an uptick in form in recent weeks and have well and truly taken it up to sixth-placed Collingwood and fourth-placed Saints in their past two fixtures.

The Kangaroos have made a number of changes heading into the clash, with Candice Belbin, Dearne Taylor, Meghan Gaffney and Brooke Slaney coming into the side.

Gaffney comes in for her VFLW debut after starring alongside Belbin for Tasmania last week. The pair led the Apple Isle representative side to a one-point win over the Northern Territory in the Winter Series and both come into the side in strong individual form.

Taylor will play her first game for the side since the Round 8 victory over Darebin, while Slaney comes in for the first time since Round 10.

Star midfielder Annabel Scott will be hoping to get the edge on her former side. Since arriving at Arden Street she's evolved to become one of the most influential and consistent midfielders the competition has to offer.

Taylor Moss makes way along with AFLW-listed stars Perri King, Amy Smith and Tess Craven.

Framing up a fitting send-off

After being one of the strongest contributors to the Kangaroos' VFLW program since its inception in 2021, Molly Eastman is set to play her final game for the side this weekend.

After the clash with the Bulldogs Eastman will link up with expansion side Sydney, as it begins its pre-season preparations for the upcoming campaign.

Eastman finished as runner-up in the inaugural North VFLW best and fairest last season and was elevated to the post of captain in 2022. Her importance to the team and the program have been continuously underlined during her time at the club.

With all she's given to the club in the past two years she deserves to leave Arden Street as a winner.

Aside from being her final game for North, Saturday's game will be a double-dose of milestones for the captain with the clash also being her 50th game at VFLW level.

The finals arithmetic

Once the business end of the season is reached, much like it is now in the VFLW, the state ladder and the finals permutations that go along with it is one of the largest talking points going around.

With just two games left of the home and away campaign, teams are frantically figuring out what needs to happen to secure the best finish possible.

For the Kangaroos though, it's a simple solution. Win.

Collingwood, North Melbourne and Darebin are all competing for the last place in the top six and the taste of finals football that comes along with it. Unfortunately for the Kangaroos though, their destiny is not wholly in their hands.

The Magpies are a win and percentage clear of the chasing pack. Port Melbourne or Geelong need to register a win over the team in black and white for North to have a chance at making finals.

The objective is clear. Win and hope for the best. Even if finals can't be reached this campaign, finishing the season with three straight victories will help secure momentum going into the near future.

>> The game will be streamed live on vflw.tv

Saturday, May 21

North Melbourne v Western Bulldogs at Arden Street Oval, 2:30pm AEST

B: 1. M Eastman, 17. J Jones
HB: 18 A. Melnikas, 25. L Loughnane, 24. E Macdonald
C: 2. J Mourney, 23. A Scott, 3. H Ibrahim
HF: 21. E Paterno, 44. B Gibson, 4. A Rhodes
F: 16. G Nicholas, 49. D Taylor
R: 22. E McGrath, 12. R Hicks, 15. S Skinner
I/C: 10. C. Fitzgerald, 33. T Bradley, 7. B Slaney, 40 M Gaffney, 38. C Belbin

Emg: 29. T Moss, 14. M Klaumanns-Moller, 13. K Murrihy, 30. J Hillas

INS: 40. M Gaffney, 38. C Belbin, 7. B Slaney, 49. D Taylor
OUTS: 35. A Smith, 28. P King, 26. T Craven, 29. T Moss