Three-time All-Australian Nick Dal Santo believes four clubs can’t win the premiership if they do manage to finish inside the top eight.
The race for finals spots is heating up with four clubs – Port Adelaide, Hawthorn, Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs - sitting a game off eighth-placed Adelaide.
Of those five previously mentioned clubs, the Hawks were the only side to record a win on the weekend.
With five rounds remaining, Dal Santo has put a line through four teams who are vying for a finals berth.
“I don’t think Essendon can win it this year. I don’t think Adelaide can win it this year,” he told SEN Afternoons.
“If Port Adelaide jump into the eight, I don’t think they can win it this year, and if Hawthorn jump into the eight, I don’t think they can win it this year.”
The last club to win the premiership outside the top four was the Western Bulldogs in 2016.
Listen to Nick Dal Santo’s chat on SEN Afternoons with Andy Maher in the player below