AFTER a thrilling weekend of football, the top six is starting to take some sort of shape.
It looks highly unlikely the top three sides of Fremantle, Brisbane and Collingwood will miss finals, but the bottom three positions are still up for grabs with six teams in the running.
Richmond, St Kilda, West Coast, Gold Coast and Geelong have not been considered
1. Fremantle
24 points (six wins, one loss), 231.9 per cent
Fremantle has set itself up well for yet another finals appearance after a come-from-behind win over Carlton. The Dockers will be wary of an in-form Melbourne but should be too strong on their home deck. The North Melbourne game could dictate their finishing position within the top six.
The run home
R8: Melbourne @ Fremantle Oval
R9: North Melbourne @ Arden Street Oval
2. Brisbane
24 points (six wins, one loss), 224.6 per cent
A nail-biting win over Collingwood – after a surprise road trip – has left Brisbane primed for finals, having now knocked off the two other pace-setters of the competition (Fremantle the other). North Melbourne poses as a big challenge, but the home conditions of the Gabba helps, while the Lions will be seeking to be the first team to knock Melbourne off at Casey Fields this year.
The run home
R8: North Melbourne @ the Gabba
R9: Melbourne @ Casey Fields
3. Collingwood
24 points (six wins, one losses), 195.6 per cent
Despite a late charge, Collingwood tasted defeat for the first time in 2021, losing to Brisbane in a hastily arranged game at VU Whitten Oval. It brings the Pies back into the pack somewhat, but they still should feature in finals. St Kilda should be a comfortable victory, but Adelaide at Norwood Oval will dictate finishing positions within the top six.
The run home
R8: St Kilda @ Victoria Park
R9: Adelaide @ Norwood Oval
4. Adelaide
20 points (five wins, two losses), 192.6 per cent
Not only did Saturday night's shock loss to Melbourne take Adelaide a game out of the top two, it also cut the Crows' percentage considerably by 52 per cent. With two games at home, Adelaide shouldn't be panicking about missing finals. They'll be favourites against the Bulldogs, but Collingwood will be a tougher challenge.
The run home
R8: Western Bulldogs @ Norwood Oval
R9: Collingwood @ Norwood Oval
5. North Melbourne
20 points (five wins, two losses), 162.9 per cent
Given the road ahead, North Melbourne just had to win against the Western Bulldogs, but wouldn't have been thrilled with dropping three per cent in the process. Things get a little trickier now with matches against pace-setters Brisbane and Fremantle. If the Roos don't pinch one, they'll be relying on results going their way and a healthy percentage to make finals.
The run home
R8: Brisbane @ the Gabba
R9: Fremantle @ Arden Street Oval
6. Melbourne
20 points (five wins, two losses), 136.4 per cent
An outstanding win over Adelaide – and an 11-point percentage boost to boot – has kept Melbourne in the finals hunt. Things don't get any easier though, taking on the two form sides of the competition in Fremantle and Brisbane. Hosting the Lions will make things a little easier, but the Dockers are usually imperious at Freo Oval.
The run home
R8: Fremantle @ Fremantle Oval
R9: Brisbane @ Casey Fields
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7. Western Bulldogs
16 points (four wins, three losses), 101.3 per cent
The loss to North Melbourne has made things difficult – but not impossible – for the Bulldogs. They'll probably struggle against an Adelaide side looking to rebound, but Richmond in round nine is an eminently winnable game. Percentage is the Dogs' biggest issue at the moment, being four points and 35 per cent off sixth spot.
The run home
R8: Adelaide @ Norwood Oval
R9: Richmond @ VU Whitten Oval
8. Carlton
12 points (three wins, four losses), 108.8 per cent
The heartbreaking loss to Fremantle was far from ideal, but the Blues are still an outside chance to make the top six should results go their way. They've got a comfortable run home against Gold Coast and GWS, but will need to win both if they're any chance of living up to their pre-season tag of premiership favourites.
The run home
R8: Gold Coast @ Metricon Stadium
R9: GWS @ TBC (Giants home game)
9. Greater Western Sydney
12 points (three wins, four losses), 68.2 per cent
Realistically, the Giants will need a miracle to qualify for finals given their percentage, but it's still a mathematical possibility. They'll be favourites against Geelong, and could pile on the goals in that game, but Carlton should have too much firepower for the Giants to defeat comfortably.
The run home
R8: Geelong @ GMHBA Stadium
R9: Carlton @ TBC (Giants home game)
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