THE AFL’S GRANDSTAND LAST ROUND:
* All positions in the top eight might change hands
* Seven clubs assured of playing finals (Brisbane, Geelong, West Coast, Richmond, Collingwood, GWS, Essendon)
* Four clubs can finish eighth (Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn, Adelaide, Port Adelaide)
THE DEFINING MATCHES:
* Collingwood v Essendon, MCG, Friday night. The Magpies must win, and hope West Coast and/or Richmond lose, to have a hope of a top-four finish and double-chance in the finals. An Essendon win might secure them a home elimination final, although it’s a long shot as it rests with GWS also losing to Gold Coast.
* Geelong v Carlton, GHMBA Stadium, Saturday afternoon. A Geelong win will ensure they get a home qualifying final – though it will be played at the MCG, not in Geelong – and give them a chance of finishing top, should Brisbane lose.
* Gold Coast v GWS, Metricon Stadium, Saturday afternoon. The Giants need to win or risk gifting Essendon home-ground advantage in their probable meeting in week one of the finals, should the Bombers beat Collingwood.
* West Coast v Hawthorn, Optus Stadium, Saturday night. An Eagles win will deliver them a top-four finish, and also a chance of finishing second and a home qualifying final. Lose, they might drop out of the top four. Hawthorn must win and rely on the Bulldogs losing to have any chance of reaching the playoffs.
* Western Bulldogs v Adelaide, Ballarat, Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs will secure eighth spot and a finals berth with victory. Adelaide must win by a healthy margin, and sweat on Hawthorn and Port Adelaide results, to replace the Dogs in eighth spot.
* Richmond v Brisbane, MCG, Sunday afternoon. Brisbane will keep top spot with a win and, even if they lose, should still finish second and get a home qualifying final. Richmond will ensure a top-four spot with victory but lose and they likely slide to fifth should Collingwood win.
* Port Adelaide v Fremantle, Adelaide Oval, Sunday twilight. Port will know if they’re a hope of making the finals by the first bounce, with their fate resting with the Bulldogs – should the Dogs win, the Power no chance. A Dogs loss, and Port will know what winning margin they require to steal eighth spot.
