AS THE Brisbane Lions prepare for a testing run towards September, lions.com.au takes a look at the other 11 sides still in contention.
The Lions face North Melbourne, Hawthorn, the Western Bulldogs, Carlton and the Sydney Swans over the next five weeks, but what lays before their rivals?
1. Geelong (16-1, 151.69 per cent)
Last five: WWWWW
To come: Richmond; Melbourne; Sydney Swans (in Sydney); North Melbourne; West Coast
Comment: Reigning premier and increasingly likely minor premier for 2008. Win/loss record and percentage pretty much says it all.
2. Western Bulldogs (13-3-1, 123.13 per cent)
Last five: WWWLL
To come: Sydney Swans (in Canberra); North Melbourne, Brisbane Lions (at the Gabba), Essendon, Adelaide (in Adelaide)
Comment: Testing run home off the back of consecutive losses. Likely top-three finish but will want some momentum heading into September.
3. Hawthorn (13-4, 123.08 per cent)
Last five: LWWLL
To come: Collingwood; Brisbane Lions (in Launceston); Richmond; West Coast (in Perth); Carlton
Comment: Based on last week, the most obvious challenger to the Cats. Wobbled a little in recent weeks but seemingly set for top-three finish.
4. Sydney Swans (10-6-1, 119.96 per cent)
Last five: WLLWL
To come: Western Bulldogs (in Canberra), Fremantle, Geelong, Collingwood (in Melbourne), Brisbane Lions
Comment: Genuinely struggling and injury to Adam Goodes comes at bad time. Tough run in but aided by three games in Sydney, including round 22 clash with Lions.
5. North Melbourne (9-7-1, 97.80 per cent)
Last five: WLWWW
To come: Brisbane Lions (on Gold Coast), Western Bulldogs, Carlton, Geelong, Port Adelaide
Comment: Put themselves in contention for top-four with third straight win. Not an easy draw and could still miss the finals altogether but will be happy to spend the last four weeks in Victoria.
6. Collingwood (9-8, 113.47 per cent)
Last five: LWWLL
To come: Hawthorn, St Kilda, Port Adelaide (in Adelaide), Sydney Swans, Fremantle (in Perth)
Comment: Looked a real top-four hope only a fortnight ago. Now people are asking if the Pies will make the eight. Travel interstate twice in last five games.
7. Adelaide (9-8 106.18 per cent)
Last five: LLLLW
To come: Carlton, Richmond, Essendon (in Melbourne), St Kilda (in Melbourne), Western Bulldogs
Comment: Ordinary recent form but last week’s surprise win over the Swans may have righted the ship. Based on that outing, the Crows must be a chance to win their next three.
9. St Kilda (9-8., 100.63 per cent)
Last five: WWWWL
To come: Port Adelaide, Collingwood, Fremantle (in Perth), Adelaide, Essendon
Comment: Looked a real top-four hope prior to succumbing to lowly West Coast last week. Fairly friendly run home, although you suspect each game is harder than it first looks on paper.
10. Richmond (8-8-1, 97.27 per cent)
Last five: WLWWW
To come: Geelong, Adelaide (in Adelaide), Hawthorn, Fremantle, Melbourne
Comment: A brave effort to stay in touch with the eight but it’s a daunting path from here. Still, if the in-form Tigers can win one of the next three, they’ll remain in the finals hunt.
11. Carlton (8-9, 95.97 per cent)
Last five: LWLLW
To come: Adelaide (in Adelaide), Port Adelaide, North Melbourne, Brisbane Lions (at the Gabba), Hawthorn.
Comment: Would have a reasonable expectation of winning three of its last five, starting with this week’s clash with the Crows. If the Blues don’t win that one, it looks a real uphill battle.
12. Essendon (7-10, 86.02 per cent)
Last five: WWWLW
To come: Melbourne, West Coast (in Perth), Adelaide, Western Bulldogs, St Kilda
Comment: In form but, in reality, only a minimal (mathematical) chance of making the eight. The next two games are must wins. Will rue eight straight losses between rounds three and 11.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
