A RESURGENT North Melbourne and finals fancy Geelong meet at Blundstone Arena to kick off a huge five-game Saturday.

It's the third time in four years the two sides have met in Hobart, with the Cats winning all of the meetings by an average of 40 points.

KANGAROOS v CATS Follow it LIVE

The much-improved Kangaroos (2-16) gave top-four hopefuls Carlton a huge scare last week and might have done more damage but for a third-term lapse and costly mistakes late in the game.

The Roos have shown plenty of promising signs since their breakthrough win in round 13 as their talented midfield continues to emerge, but now face their bogey side in the Cats, who have won the past 12 meetings between the teams going back to 2016.

Sixth-placed Geelong (11-7) looked to have its campaign back on track with three consecutive victories over finals contenders, but was well off the pace in muddy conditions as the Western Bulldogs exposed cracks in the Cats' game.

The Roos have lost Colby McKercher, Zac Fisher and Eddie Ford, welcoming back Jaidyn Stephenson, Zane Duursma and Will Phillips.

The Cats have recalled Tanner Bruhn, Shannon Neale and Jed Bews in place of Zach Tuohy, Brandan Parfitt and Mitch Knevitt.

Gold Coast hosts Brisbane at its People First Stadium fortress in the second QClash of the season.

The 12th placed Suns are hanging on to their hopes of a maiden finals appearance, but will need to stretch their impeccable record as hosts this season to keep pace with the finals contenders.

SUNS v LIONS Follow it LIVE

Gold Coast (9-9) again failed to break its hoodoo on the road as it paid the price for a horror show in front of goal in last week's defeat to Greater Western Sydney.

The Suns are, on the other hand, unbeaten on home turf this season but face arguably their toughest match as hosts in the QClash, even while they need to start winning away with only one more home game to come after the Lions. 

A resurgent Brisbane (11-6-1) has won seven matches on the trot – and lost only once since round seven – to continue its formidable rise to climb to third spot on the ladder.

But the Lions will be wary of taking on their nearest foes when they have everything to play for, especially after the Suns impressed with a first win in 10 matches when hosting the QClash on their home deck last year.

The Suns have axed Jed Walter, Alex Sexton and Connor Budarick, recalling Tom Berry, Jarrod Witts and Malcolm Rosas jnr.

The injury-hit Lions are without Harris Andrews and Darragh Joyce and have omitted Bruce Reville as Logan Morris, Jaxon Prior and Conor McKenna return.

In the second of the Saturday twilight games, St Kilda and Essendon clash under the roof at Marvel Stadium.

While the Saints are out of the finals race, they can still play the role of disruptor with Essendon their next target.

SAINTS v BOMBERS Follow it LIVE

St Kilda (7-11) got off the chain for its biggest victory yet in this Ross Lyon-era when piling on 17 goals to thump West Coast last week.

It was just the third time that the Saints have passed 100 points this year and a similarly attacking approach could now test a Bombers outfit that has not kept an opponent to fewer than 80 points since their worrying run of form started in round 12.

Eighth-placed Essendon (10-7-1) has plummeted out of the top four and is now at real risk of being overtaken in the race for a finals spots after five defeats in its past seven matches.

The Bombers gave up a three-goal lead in the dying stages against the Crows last week and need to bounce back quickly against the improving Saints, especially with three of the current top four still to come in the run home.

The Saints have made just one change with Anthony Caminiti back in place of the injured Liam Henry.

Darcy Parish, Peter Wright and Dyson Heppell are back for the Bombers, with Jake Kelly, Matt Guelfi and Todd Goldstein making way.

In the first of two Saturday night games, finals aspirants Melbourne and Greater Western Sydney meet at the MCG.

DEMONS v GIANTS Follow it LIVE

The Demons (10-8) slipped to 10th spot on the ladder after being overwhelmed by Fremantle last week for the second time this season. They were unable to match their nemesis at stoppages and lost the clearances 47-16.

Despite sitting outside the top eight, Melbourne still has its destiny in its own hands with five matches against fellow finals contenders to come in the final rounds.

Greater Western Sydney (11-7) has surged back into top-four contention with three consecutive victories, including a comfortable win at home over Gold Coast last week.

The Giants have their running game up and going again, and could now rubber stamp their premiership credentials with a second triumph in three weeks at the MCG ahead of a tough run home.

The Demons are bolstered by the return of Max Gawn as Bailey Laurie and Taj Woewodin have been recalled. Christian Salem and Koltyn Tholstrup are injured and Tom Sparrow has been dropped.

The Giants have a huge in as Sam Taylor returns to replace Isaac Cumming.

Another blockbuster Western Derby awaits when Fremantle and West Coast face off in the second of Saturday night's games.

The Dockers will be out to avoid a second slip up against the Eagles, who trumped their rivals when they met earlier this year.

DOCKERS v EAGLES Follow it LIVE

Fremantle (11-6-1) made a mid-season statement when thumping Melbourne in round 12, but arguably proved its top-four credentials even more with a dominant display against the same side last week.

The Dockers are playing to their strengths, with their one-two punch in the ruck and onball brigade in red-hot form ahead of the Western Derby.

West Coast (3-15) was arguably at the peak of its powers when stunning Fremantle in round six, but has faced a reality check with 10 defeats in 11 matches since.

The Eagles might be more focused on reviewing and developing their list, but putting a hefty dent in their arch-rival's top-four hopes would be more than just icing on the cake of a tough season.

The Dockers have made two forced changes as Josh Draper and Tom Emmett come in for Alex Pearce and Michael Walters.

The Eagles have loaded up, welcoming back Jeremy McGovern, Jake Waterman, Jack Darling and Elliot Yeo in place of Alex Witherden, Jamaine Jones, Jack Petruccelle and Campbell Chesser.