1st: Geelong
80 points (20 wins, one loss), 158.13 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: West Coast at Skilled Stadium
Underlined its superiority by despatching likely qualifying final opponent North Melbourne. The Cats will be grateful of a home game in the final round that could provide an opportunity to rest a few stars.
2nd: Hawthorn
64 points (16 wins, five losses), 128.90 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Carlton at Telstra Dome
Will meet the Bulldogs in a qualifying final. Interest in next week’s match against the Blues will focus on whether Lance Franklin can find the two goals he needs to bring up his ton, while rival spearhead Brendan Fevola needs an unlikely eight.
3rd: Western Bulldogs
62 points (15 wins, five losses, one draw), 119.79 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
Friday’s win over Essendon arrested a terrible slump, but the Dogs will require a strong showing in Adelaide on Saturday to tackle the Hawks with any confidence.
4th: North Melbourne
50 points (12 wins, eight losses, one draw), 100.49 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Port Adelaide at the MCG
The Crows’ loss on Sunday means North should hold on to fourth spot for the second consecutive year. To make sure, they must down Port Adelaide, which beat the Roos in a preliminary final last year.
5th: Collingwood
48 points (12 wins, nine losses), 112.92 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Fremantle at Subiaco Oval
Saturday night’s cakewalk booked the Pies’ finals place. Win in Perth on Friday night and they will move into fourth, where they could stay if North Melbourne slips up.
6th: Adelaide
48 points (12 wins, nine losses), 109.60 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium
Sunday’s heavy loss ended a four-match unbeaten run for the Crows, who will play the Saints in an elimination final if the ladder stays the same. Unlike Sunday’s game, however, that match would be in Adelaide.
7th: St Kilda
48 points (12 wins, nine losses), 105.04 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Essendon at the MCG
The Saints secured their seat in September by beating Adelaide. Their next game against Essendon is the last of round 22, meaning that they’ll know where they stand before the opening bounce. Fourth place is a possibility; sixth or seventh more likely.
8th: Sydney Swans
46 points (11 wins, nine losses, one draw), 109.45 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Brisbane Lions at the SCG
Brett Kirk thinks the Swans are a finals threat, but he might be the only one, especially with hoodoo side Collingwood looming as a likely opponent for an elimination final. The Swans could reclaim fourth position only if North, Collingwood, Adelaide and St Kilda all lose their final games.
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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
