As the AFL season progresses towards the finals, the battle for the top eight spots intensifies, with nine teams vying for limited places. Currently, Gold Coast finds itself outside the finals after a brief stint in the top four just three weeks ago. Meanwhile, league leaders Collingwood are pulling ahead, but only a few wins separate Brisbane in second place from Gold Coast in ninth. This close ranking adds an extra layer of intrigue to the remaining fixtures leading up to September.
Historically, the latter part of the season has witnessed significant upheavals, as exemplified last year when Carlton and Essendon held strong positions yet ultimately failed to make the finals, mirroring the potential volatility that could unfold this year. As it stands, teams like Carlton, Sydney, Port Adelaide, and Essendon are on equal points, each facing challenges in maintaining momentum, particularly with the resurgence of Sydney’s key players.
Analysts, including Essendon legend James Hird, suggest that the cut-throat nature of this year’s competition means that it’s indeed a case of nine teams competing for eight positions. To secure a finals berth, teams are likely to require at least 14 wins, coupled with favourable percentage standings.
An in-depth look at the remaining fixtures for each team reveals some interesting match-ups:
- Collingwood (1st, 48 points) looks likely for a top finish, having a favourable fixture ahead, needing to avoid major slip-ups.
- Brisbane (2nd, 42 points) has a mixed run of games, needing to find consistency against both strong and weaker opponents.
- Geelong (3rd, 40 points) has a relatively easy run-in that could see them elevate to second if they capitalise on their fixtures.
- Adelaide (4th, 36 points) is poised to maintain their position with a promising schedule offering potential easy victories.
- Hawthorn (5th, 36 points) faces a challenging end to the season and must perform exceptionally to secure their spot.
- Fremantle (6th, 36 points) has the chance to consolidate their position, but requires solid performances to ensure at least 14 wins.
- GWS Giants (7th, 36 points) are hitting form but need to secure wins against tricky opponents to clinch a finals spot.
- Western Bulldogs (8th, 32 points) have a good chance to finish strong, provided they can navigate their remaining games effectively.
- Gold Coast (9th, 32 points) is still in contention for finals but must recover from recent losses and leverage their schedule to sneak into the eight, particularly as they have an additional game to play.
With the stakes so high, every game will be critical as teams push to secure their place in the finals, making for a thrilling climax to the season.