WAS IT a coincidence that round 22 produced the first 'clean sheet' at the Match Review Panel, or has the countdown to finals convinced players that a misdemeanour isn't worth the trouble?

If the penny has dropped for those preparing for September action, it took some time and a number of key players will still be saddled with carryover points at the pointy end of the season.

Since round 16, there have been 21 MRP charges upheld, with 14 of those cases involving players from teams who are locked in to play finals. A further four involved players from teams fighting for the final spot in the top eight.

As a result, a number of key players will enter round 23 with dangerously high carryover points, which they will also have to carry through finals, leaving them vulnerable to suspension.

Fremantle goalsneak Michael Walters (93.75), Geelong star Steve Johnson (75.71), Port Adelaide forward Jay Schulz (80) and North Melbourne midfielder Daniel Wells (96.87) headline a long list.

Then there are potential finalists in West Coast's Josh Kennedy (82.81) and Luke Shuey (85.63) and Richmond's Brett Deledio (93.75) and Jack Riewoldt (60).

Finals crystal ball: who will finish where?

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson knows all about the delicate situation players can find themselves in at the end of the season when they take bad records and carryover points into finals.

The Hawks lost star forward Lance Franklin for last year's qualifying final after he was suspended for one match for a late hit on Swan Nick Malceski.

When speaking about Brian Lake's standout performance against Geelong on Friday night, Clarkson referred to the four-match ban his tall defender has recently returned from.

"I think we're a better defence when he's in it and hopefully he can keep himself out of trouble in the last part of the year," Clarkson said.   

Lake was left with 10 points on his record but even that is enough to turn a level one rough conduct charge – which could normally be reduced to a reprimand – into an unavoidable suspension.

It is a quirk of the system that a player's suspension can be served but then return to haunt them down the track – just ask Brent Harvey, who will miss North Melbourne's opening final because of a six-match ban incurred during the 2012 finals.