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The Run Home: What it all looks like after Round 22

2018-08-19T18:15+10:00

With just one round left to play, there's still so many different ways the eight could fall.

What does your team have to do to finish as high as they can after Round 23? Let's do some crystal balling.

1st - Richmond (138.3%) (17 wins, 68 points)

The Tigers will win the minor premiership regardless of what happens with the Bulldogs. Put your feet up and get ready for September, Richmond fans.

What's ahead: Western Bulldogs (MCG)

Prediction: 1st (18 wins, 72 points)

2nd - West Coast (120.8) (15 wins, 60 points)

The Eagles go into the final round in second place on the ladder, but will need to beat Brisbane to stay there.

A loss could see Collingwood overtake them which would mean a trip to the MCG, rather than a home Qualifying Final.

The worst case scenario for West Coast is they lose, Collingwood and Hawthorn both win and they fall as far as fourth.

Could the Lions throw a wrench in West Coast's year?

What's ahead: Brisbane (Gabba).

Prediction: 2nd (15 wins, 60 points)

3rd - Collingwood (120.7%) (14 wins, 56 points)

Collingwood was expected to get the four points over Port Adelaide, but the percentage boost they ended up with was an added bonus.

The Pies go into Round 23 with a simple equation. Beat Freo and the double chance is yours.

The Dockers are coming off a 133-point belting, but they're playing at home and could be galvanised by the loss.

If Collingwood loses, they'll likely slide to fifth.

What's ahead: Fremantle (Optus Stadium).

Prediction: 3rd (15 wins, 60 points)

WALLACE: COLLINGWOOD CAN MAKE THE GRAND FINAL

4th - Hawthorn (120.5% (14 wins, 56 points)

The Hawks survived on Saturday night, but all that matters is they got the win.

Because of that, we've been served up a tasty battle next weekend where Hawthorn will play the Swans. The winner will finish inside the top four.

Given the game is at the SCG, the Swans will go in favourites - despite their poor record there this year - which makes Hawthorn's most likely position fifth or sixth.

However, if Hawthorn wins and both Collingwood and West Coast don't, their percentage could see them finish as high as second on the ladder.

What's ahead: Sydney (SCG).

Prediction: 6th (14 wins, 56 points)

5th - Sydney (110.6%) (14 wins, 56 points)

As mentioned, it'll be Sydney versus Hawthorn with the winner finishing inside the top four.

The Swans beating their cross-town rivals in what you'd have to consider an upset just highlights how good they've been in the last few weeks.

They've now beaten Collingwood, Melbourne and GWS in the last three weeks to go from a side in danger of missing the eight, to a likely top four finish.

Sydney could finish third if they win and the Pies lose, or even second if they smash Hawthorn, Collingwood lose, West Coast get beaten by LOTS.

What's ahead: Hawthorn (SCG).

Prediction: 4th (15 wins, 60 points)

6th - GWS Giants (118.1%) (13.5 wins, 54 points)

GWS have had a strong second half of the year and made a genuine run at a top four finish, but injuries have once again crippled them.

They lost Ryan Griffen (hamstring) in the loss to Sydney, while Phil Davis (back) also appears in doubt.

In any case, the defeat now means the top four is beyond them - pending a draw between the Swans and Hawks.

Being on 54 points gives them an odd footing which will keep them ahead of Geelong or Port Adelaide, but they'll need to beat the Dees if they want a home Elimination Final.

What's ahead: Melbourne (MCG).

Prediction: 7th (13.5 wins, 54 points)

7th - Melbourne (129.8%) (13 wins, 52 points)

MELBOURNE. WILL. PLAY. FINALS!

Take a deep breath Dees fans, you're in.

The hard work doesn't stop here however as a loss to GWS will see them finish eighth in all likelihood.

A 50-point Geelong win over Gold Coast should be enough for them to jump the Demons percentage wise and on the ladder.

A win over the Giants however would likely see them finish fifth and hosting a final at the MCG.

What's ahead: GWS Giants (MCG).

Prediction: 5th (14 wins, 56 points)

8th - Geelong (125.7%) (12 wins, 48 points)

Geelong's 133-point drubbing of Fremantle gave them a considerable percentage boost which could come in handy if GWS beats Melbourne.

It would see them bumped up from eighth to seventh on the ladder. Of course, that still results in an Elimination Final on the road.

The Cats simply have to beat Gold Coast at GMHBA Stadium to book their finals ticket.

If they captiluate, it would almost certainly mean missing the finals.

What's ahead: Gold Coast (GMHBA Stadium).

Prediction: 8th (13 wins, 52 points)

9th - Port Adelaide (109.6%) (12 wins, 48 points)

They lost the Showdown off a goal that likely hit the post and lost to the Eagles after the final siren after suffering three key injuries. Maybe it just isn't Port's season.

You can now add their horrific second half against Collingwood to that list as the Power are now facing a serious uphill battle to make finals.

To get there, they'll need to beat Essendon on Friday night and hope Gold Coast beat Geelong on Saturday.

What's ahead: Essendon (Adelaide Oval)

Prediction: 9th (13 wins, 52 points)

10th - North Melbourne (109.1%) (11 wins, 44 points)

The Roos fought back but fell short in the final term against the Crows, condemning them to a season that almost was.

They are now almost a mathematical impossibility, as they would need to win by roughly 250 points and have the Cats and Power lose to snatch 8th spot.

Put simply, it's over. A brave season with some incredible wins and plenty of positives. They need to finally land a big fish and have a win during the trade period to stamp their credentials as a top 8 side next season.

That loss to the Western Bulldogs last weekend will haunt them for a while.

What's ahead: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium).

Prediction: 10th (12 wins, 48 points)

FINALS PREDICTION

(1ST) RICHMOND VERSUS (4TH) SYDNEY (MCG)

(2ND) WEST COAST VERSUS (3RD) COLLINGWOOD (OPTUS)

(5TH) MELBOURNE VERSUS (8TH) GEELONG (MCG)

(6TH) HAWTHORN VERSUS (7TH) GWS GIANTS (MCG)

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