AFTER the results of the weekend, the top eight is set, and with only one round to play before September, it is time to analyse why these bottom nine teams missed the finals and what their direction should be for 2012.

9th - NORTH MELBOURNE
The Kangaroos will need to analyse what happened last summer, as they appeared to be less ready for AFL footy than any other team earlier this year. This could have been either bad luck or bad management.

The team shows it is growing off the back of a tough, young, competitive midfield. As expectations grew, they could not take the next step. In my opinion they need to sort out their defensive end with the injection of some ball carriers, plus they must improve their onfield leadership.

10th- FREMANTLE
Had the year from hell with injury. It started last year with the loss of Barlow and Morabito and just got worse as 2011 progressed. They have an exciting young midfield but an aging key position group. Next season is their chance if the two can come together, but it may be too late.

11th - RICHMOND
Another unusual year, one that was topped and tailed with great expectation, but losses of sold home games to the 16th and 17th teams hurt. This club has more dynamic and match-breaking youngsters than most but have they got the depth?

Improvement came from Vickery and Rance which makes the future brighter.

Expectation should be breaking into the eight in 2012. A senior ruckman would help.

12th - MELBOURNE
Over-hyped before the season. The Demons are still developing but have gone for pure ball players over physicality, so the jury is still out. The club also suffered injuries to key personnel and the Scully issue to deal with all year.

This is another club that needs to deal with leadership. What they do with Davey and Sylvia for the future will be fascinating. A strong bodied forward must be on the shopping list.

13th - WESTERN BULLDOGS
Similar to Fremantle, the Dogs have a strange list. The new coach has a tough job, as he has a chance to reinvigorate in the first 12 months, but faces massive list decisions and forced retirements within 18 months.

They may have some good kids but not enough players in the 22/27 age bracket to have success in the 2013/15 period. Who plays key forward with Liam Jones is anyone's guess.

14th - ADELAIDE
This team had more 'potential' stars than most after the tight 2009 semi-final against Collingwood, after which one team has gone on and the other backwards.

The Crows are in the search for a new coach, which is needed as they've lost their way both on and off the field.

Adelaide used to be powerbrokers and innovators but as someone who rated them 12 months ago, I cannot see their future leaders or club direction.

15th - BRISBANE LIONS
The Lions have played with honesty and integrity all season, even though from a win/loss ratio it will go down as one of the worst in Brisbane's history.

The club lost its way for 18 months with unrealistic potential premiership grandeur but now understands its direction.

With an aging Brown and Merrett as key position players not available, results could have been better. The club still has hard yards ahead but a brighter future is in store.  

16th - GOLD COAST
I'm not as convinced as some that the natural improvement in this team is guaranteed.

Many clubs in the past have put all their eggs into the national draft basket only to come up short, as it is not a foolproof system. Dyson Heppell and Andrew Gaff both have shown that they should have been on the Suns' radar. As good as recruiters are, the system is still a lottery.

In my opinion this is a long journey and this club is still years off genuine success.

17th - PORT ADELAIDE
I do not understand why this has been such a disastrous year. Having seen most things in AFL football, I'm pretty sure there have been people inside the club with their own agendas that have sabotaged the 2011 season.

The club has an imbalanced list, with too many tall players who cannot make the grade. However, with some key strategic appointments in the football division and some obvious work on the list, they can be a competitive unit.

In closing, list planning over many years will normally be the catalyst of a team on the rise. Decisions that were made four or five years ago impact your chances in the current environment. Some trade and draft calls at the end of the year might help in 2012, but in reality, most clubs' destines are already set.