Snapshot of round 22 AFL action

THEY SAID IT: “It’s in the lap of the gods”. Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge. Their loss to Port Adelaide means the Bulldogs are out of the top eight and now also need other results to go their way in round 23. The last defending premiers to miss out on the top eight were Hawthorn in 2009. The Western Bulldogs opponent on Friday night? Hawthorn.

MAN OF THE ROUND: Returning from a broken collarbone, Melbourne key forward Jesse Hogan spearheaded their win over Brisbane with six goals.

KEY MOMENT: In a Friday night thriller, Sydney star Lance Franklin produced a goal of the year contender in the third quarter. Reminiscent of his superb running goal against Essendon in 2010, Franklin took possession on the wing, burned off Daniel Talia, kept running and then goalled on the run from a tight angle.

TALKING POINT: Who “wins” the wooden spoon? While much of the AFL’s attention rightly is on who makes the finals and the top-eight order, it is tight at the other end of the ladder, too. Carlton’s win means they cannot finish last and it will come down to Brisbane’s home game against North Melbourne next Saturday for who gets the No.1 draft pick.

STATS THAT MATTER: In-demand GWS midfielder Josh Kelly was outstanding in the win over West Coast, recovering after a big collision with Josh Kennedy to end the game with a club-record 43 possessions.

TRIBUNAL WATCH: St Kilda defender Jake Carlisle was booked twice for striking in a quarter-time melee against North Melbourne. Port Adelaide’s Tom Jonas will come under scrutiny for his high off-the-ball hit that floored Western Bulldogs’ star Luke Dahlhaus. Sydney’s Zak Jones is facing a rough conduct charge for a late hit on Adelaide onballer Brad Crouch. Melbourne defender Bernie Vince will come under video scrutiny for a spoil that collected the head of Brisbane captain Dayne Beams.

KEY INJURIES: Josh Green (Ess, foot), Jake Stringer (WB, hamstring).

WHAT’S NEXT: It comes down to round 23. Luke Hodge v Bob Murphy, or Hawthorn v Western Bulldogs on Friday night. Melbourne can still miss the finals if they are upset by Collingwood on Saturday and the same applies to Essendon in Sunday’s home game against Fremantle. Geelong v GWS at Simonds Stadium on Saturday night is a potential preview for the finals. St Kilda must beat Richmond on Sunday and rely on other results and the same applies to West Coast in their home game against Adelaide. If the Crows lose, it could cost them top spot. The Tigers must win to secure fourth spot and the double chance.

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