THE RUN HOME FOR THE AFL FINALS CONTENDERS
RICHMOND
Top, 15-4, 60 points, 135.7 per cent
The reigning premiers survived a scare from Geelong but remain the pacesetters. A top-two finish and a home qualifying final at their MCG fortress beckon.
To come: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium), Essendon (MCG), Western Bulldogs (MCG)
WEST COAST
2nd, 56, 14-5, 124.1
The Eagles got back on the winner’s list against Fremantle to shore up second spot but will almost certainly lose midfielder Andrew Gaff to a lengthy suspension.
Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval), Melbourne (Optus Stadium), Brisbane (Gabba)
GWS
3rd, 50, 12-6-1, 120.8
The Giants are back in the top four but their smashing of Carlton cost them Brett Deledio (calf), Dawson Simpson (ankle), Sam Taylor (hamstring) and Toby Greene (hamstring).
Adelaide (UNSW Canberra Oval), Sydney (Spotless Stadium), Melbourne (MCG)
MELBOURNE
4th, 48, 12-7, 132.8
The Demons romped back into the top four with a huge win over Gold Coast but Simon Goodwin’s men still face a tricky run home.
Sydney (MCG), West Coast (Optus Stadium), GWS (MCG)
HAWTHORN
5th, 48, 12-7, 121.4
The Hawks beat Essendon in an MCG thriller to move closer to a finals berth. It could come down to the last match against Sydney.
Geelong (MCG), St Kilda (Etihad Stadium), Sydney (SCG)
COLLINGWOOD
6th, 48, 12-7, 117.1
The Magpies suffered yet another injury – a hamstring strain to Darcy Moore – in their tight loss to Sydney.
Brisbane (Etihad Stadium), Port Adelaide (MCG), Fremantle (Optus Stadium)
PORT ADELAIDE
7th, 48, 12-7, 114.9
The Power’s top-four hopes took a hit with a loss to Adelaide but two of their last three games are at home.
West Coast (Adelaide Oval), Collingwood (MCG), Essendon (Adelaide Oval)
SYDNEY
8th, 48, 12-7, 1 09.6
The Swans halted their freefall with a win over Collingwood but there’s still plenty of work to do.
Melbourne (MCG), GWS (Spotless Stadium), Hawthorn (SCG)
GEELONG
9th, 44, 11-8, 118.8
The Cats lost to Richmond but with two home games against strugglers to come, they should climb back into the eight.
Hawthorn (MCG), Fremantle (GMHBA Stadium), Gold Coast (GMHBA Stadium)
NORTH MELBOURNE
10th, 44, 11-8, 110.1
The Kangaroos squeaked past Brisbane at the Gabba but their run home got tougher after the Dogs and Crows enjoyed morale-boosting wins.
Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium), Adelaide (Adelaide Oval), St Kilda (Etihad Stadium)
ESSENDON
11th, 40, 10-9, 102.3
The Bombers’ loss to Hawthorn might have cost them a finals spot. They have a tough run but have shown good form in the latter half of the season.
St Kilda (Etihad Stadium), Richmond (MCG), Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
ADELAIDE
12th, 40, 10-9, 98.6
The Crows beat Port Adelaide but their percentage is a concern. They need a lot to go right for an unlikely top-eight berth.
GWS (UNSW Canberra Oval), North Melbourne (Adelaide Oval), Carlton (Etihad Stadium)
