• Nine things we learned from round 21
• Fantasy form watch: Round 21's Pig, Presti and Junior Swine

1. Fremantle

64 points (16 wins, four losses) 122.2 per cent

The run home: 
Rd 22: Melbourne at Domain Stadium
Rd 23: Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval 

It's hard to believe the Dockers might not finish on top given their brilliant first half of the season. They are safe in the top two, however, and as well-placed for a finals assault as they could hope for. Two wins from here will ensure top spot and would mean avoiding Hawthorn in the first week of the finals. 

Predicted finish: First
Predicted final match-up: Fremantle v Sydney Swans, first qualifying final, Domain Stadium

• Has Nat Fyfe just blown the Brownlow? 

2. West Coast

62 points (15 wins, four losses, one draw) 150.9 per cent

The run home:
Rd 22: Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Rd 23: St Kilda at Domain Stadium

Their weekend got off to a great start when the Hawks lost, meaning the win over the Western Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon was icing on the cake. Can finish top with two wins and a Freo loss to Port in the final round, but I have Adelaide beating the Eagles in Adelaide next Sunday, with so much more to play for. With Nic Naitanui back in the side, the Eagles can beat Hawthorn in a home final.

Predicted finish: second
Predicted final match-up: West Coast v Hawthorn, second qualifying final, Domain Stadium

3. Hawthorn

56 points (14 wins, six losses) 154.2 per cent

The run home:
Rd 22: Brisbane Lions at Aurora Stadium
Rd 23: Carlton at the MCG

Two winnable games to come, but an opening qualifying final at Domain Stadium now appears almost a certainty, courtesy of the stumble against Port on Friday night. The Hawks looked flat against the Power, which probably spells trouble for the hapless Lions and Blues, who face them in the final fortnight of the home and away season. You'd imagine the Hawks would rather face some tougher opposition to iron out a few issues that have surfaced in the last month.

Predicted finish: 3rd
Predicted final match-up: West Coast v Hawthorn, second qualifying final, Domain Stadium

• Why Luke Hodge could be banned for the Hawks' first final

4. Sydney Swans

56 points (14 wins, six losses) 118.2 per cent

The run home:
Rd 22: St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Gold Coast at the SCG 

The Swans are back in the top four after the Western Bulldogs' loss to the Eagles, and they're unlikely to offer the Dogs a second bite at this cherry given their remaining two opponents. Like the Hawks, the Swans can start some long-term planning for another trip to Western Australia, although this time they'd be hoping that Lance Franklin is right to play. With him, they can beat Fremantle or West Coast on the road. Without him, they're a chance at a straight-sets finals exit.

Predicted finish: fourth
Predicted final match-up: Fremantle v Sydney Swans, first qualifying final, Domain Stadium

5. Richmond

52 points (13 wins, seven losses) 120.2 per cent

The run home:
Rd 22: Essendon at the MCG
Rd 23: North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium

Their biggest win over Collingwood for nearly 40 years means the Tigers will play three straight finals series for the first time since 1977. They're unlikely to overhaul the Hawks or Swans for fourth, but one more win should be enough for an MCG home elimination final. And that will be epic. 

Predicted finish: Fifth
Predicted final match-up: Richmond v North Melbourne, first elimination final, MCG

• Will the Tigers host a final? Forecast the week one finals with the AFL Ladder and Finals Predictor 

6. Western Bulldogs

52 points (13 wins, seven losses) 116.1 per cent

The run home:
Rd 22: North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba

The Dogs appear to have blown their hopes for a top four finish after losing to the Eagles, so their next order of business is to beat North at Etihad next Saturday to ensure they finish top six and earn a home elimination final at Docklands. Beat the Kangas and they might play Adelaide in the elimination final. Lose to them and there could be a rematch a fortnight later. The one apparent certainty is a big win over the Lions in the regular season finale. 

Predicted finish: Sixth 
Predicted final match-up: Western Bulldogs v Adelaide, second elimination final, Etihad Stadium

7. North Melbourne

52 points (13 wins, seven losses) 110.9 per cent

The run home:
Rd 22: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Richmond at Etihad Stadium 

North will play finals football after Sunday's slashing comeback win over Fremantle. Richmond or the Western Bulldogs will be their likely first opponent, which is interesting because they also play them both over the final fortnight. With seven straight wins, they are the form team of the competition. 

Predicted finish: Eighth
Predicted final match-up: Richmond v North Melbourne, first elimination final, MCG

• After the siren: The form team ahead of finals wears blue and white

8. Adelaide

50 points (12 wins, seven losses, one no result) 116.4 per cent

The run home:
Rd 22: West Coast at Adelaide Oval 
Rd 23: Geelong at Simonds Stadium 

Sunday afternoon's game against West Coast at Adelaide Oval will be nothing less than huge. Win and the Crows are in the finals because they can't be overtaken by Geelong irrespective of the result of their round 23 clash. A couple of big wins to the Crows and some favourable results around them could yet mean a home elimination final at Adelaide Oval. Don't get those cricket pitches ready just yet. 

Predicted finish: Seventh
Predicted final match-up: Western Bulldogs v Adelaide, second elimination final, Etihad Stadium

• Pods kicks a huge bag. Who starred for your club in this weekend's state leagues?

-------------------------------------------------

9. Geelong

44 points (10 wins, eight losses, one draw, one no result) 101.8 per cent

The run home:
Rd 22: Collingwood at the MCG
Rd 23: Adelaide at Simonds Stadium

The Cats needed the win against the Saints on Saturday night but had to settle for the draw, leaving them six points adrift of Adelaide. Geelong needs to beat Collingwood next week and for the Crows to lose to West Coast, and then beat the Crows themselves in the season finale the following week at Simonds Stadium.

Predicted finish: Ninth
Predicted final match-up: - 

• Who's going to make it? Forecast the top eight with the AFL Ladder and Finals Predictor