CARLTON will be out to extend its seven-match winning streak when it takes on an undermanned Hawthorn on Saturday night.

Carlton became the first side in VFL/AFL history to have a seven-match winning streak as well as a seven-match losing stretch in the same season when it held off Richmond in a cliffhanger. 

BLUES v HAWKS Follow it LIVE

The less-than-convincing victory was enough to lift the Blues into a wildcard spot for the first time this year though a clash with the Hawks is just the first test of its credentials with a tough month to come.   

Hawthorn had cracks exposed in its Launceston fortress as Melbourne visited for the first time and raced away to as much as a 96-point lead before the hosts woke up.

The Hawks added some respectability to the scoreboard in the second half but still saw their path to a double chance narrow with clashes against the in-form Blues and later the Lions looming large on their run home. 

The Blues have made just one change as Harry Dean returns in place of the injured Lewis Young.

The Hawks are boosted by the returns of Karl Amon and Jarman Impey, and hand a debut to Oliver Greeves, with Jack Dalton out injured and Bodie Ryan and Flynn Perez omitted.

Carlton v Hawthorn at the MCG, 7.35pm AEST
NO LATE CHANGES

Adelaide hosts Gold Coast in the final match on Saturday after bouncing back from its disappointing defeat in the Showdown with a scintillating start against West Coast that soon put the result beyond doubt. 

The Crows were able to put the cue in the rack from early in the second term but might rue not taking the opportunity to boost their percentage in the race for the top four with the Swans and Dockers away, and Pies and Giants at home to come. 

CROWS v SUNS Follow it LIVE

Gold Coast played with more vigour as it pushed Collingwood to the line in a wild contest but still slumped to a sixth straight defeat for the first time since 2019.

The Suns are a win and four places outside the wildcard spots as a season that promised so much is on track to end without finals especially with all their remaining games against sides currently sitting above them on the ladder.  

Adelaide v Gold Coast at Adelaide Oval, 7.40pm ACST
NO LATE CHANGES

The Crows have regained Riley Thilthorpe and Wayne Milera, who replace Billy Dowling and Hugo Hall-Kahan.

Will Graham and Oscar Adams are back for the Suns, replacing the suspended Ben Long and omitted Ben Jepson.

Greater Western Sydney v Geelong at Engie Stadium, 4.15pm AEST

LATE CHANGES
Greater Western Sydney: Nil
Geelong: Mark O'Connor, replaced in the selected side by Mitch Knevitt

GIANTS v CATS Follow it LIVE

St Kilda v Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, 1.15pm AEST

LATE CHANGES
St Kilda: None
Port Adelaide: Mitch Zadow (illness) replaced in selected side by Jacob Wehr

SAINTS v POWER Full match coverage and stats