{"id":26815,"date":"2025-07-28T06:09:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-28T06:09:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/26815\/"},"modified":"2025-07-28T06:09:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T06:09:10","slug":"collingwood-magpies-brisbane-lions-geelong-cats-adelaide-crows-in-hunt-for-top-two-finish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/26815\/","title":{"rendered":"Collingwood Magpies, Brisbane Lions, Geelong Cats, Adelaide Crows in hunt for top-two finish"},"content":{"rendered":"

Adelaide<\/p>\n

What we say: There is a fair argument to say the Crows are now premiership favourites, despite the Magpies clinging to top spot. And we can\u2019t wait for the round 23 clash between these two clubs, which could determine top spot. A top-two finish is there for the taking, the Crows having won five straight, and eight of their past nine. That\u2019s some streak, but the Hawks will be a major test on Friday. Best case: First. Worst case: Fifth.<\/p>\n

\"Work<\/p>\n

Work to be done: Chris Fagan needs his team to rebound quickly after a heavy defeat to Gold Coast.Credit: AFL Photos<\/p>\n

Brisbane Lions<\/p>\n

What we say: Chris Fagan was left to lament one of the more surprising heavy defeats in his time in charge on Saturday, and it suddenly has left the Lions vulnerable in terms of a top-four finish. Road games against the Magpies and Dockers will be pivotal in their bid for the double chance. We\u2019re still backing them in, but the squeeze is on. Best case: First. Worst case: Sixth.<\/p>\n

\"Dynamic<\/p>\n

Dynamic duo: Patrick Dangerfield and Jeremy Cameron are pivotal in the Cats\u2019 premiership quest.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Geelong<\/p>\n

What we say: As we said last week, the Cats have the softest run home, and that began with the demolition of North Melbourne <\/a>on Saturday night. Things were so good Patrick Dangerfield was subbed out and had time to tuck into a kebab on the bench<\/a>. The Swans remain their only real danger in the final month. Should the Magpies, Crows or Lions falter, the Cats will finish top two. Best case: First. Worst case: Fifth.<\/p>\n

\"Get<\/p>\n

Get around him: Jack Ginnivan and the Hawks have a tough run home.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Hawthorn<\/p>\n

What we say: The Hawks, as expected, got the job done against the Blues<\/a>, largely through a dominant first term. Now comes the serious work, beginning in Adelaide. If they win only one of three games against the Crows, Magpies and Lions, we have them missing the top eight. But if they can jag at least two wins and take care of the Demons, September beckons. It\u2019s a fascinating run home. Best case: First. Worst case: Ninth.<\/p>\n

\"Out<\/p>\n

Out of action: GWS skipper Toby Greene will miss the pivotal clash against the Western Bulldogs.Credit: AFL Photos<\/p>\n

GWS<\/p>\n

What we say: The Giants should be pumped having won five straight, but their top-two plans taken a hit with Toby Greene (one-match ban), and Josh Kelly (calf) and Jack Buckley (calf) ruled out for the remainder of the home-and-away campaign. However, a top-four spot is certainly there for the taking. Much will depend on this weekend\u2019s clash against the Western Bulldogs, which had shaped as one of the games of the year until suspension and injuries hit. The round 23 clash against the Suns is also pivotal. Best case: First Worst case: Seventh<\/p>\n

\"Prime<\/p>\n

Prime mover: Andrew Brayshaw is willing the Dockers towards September.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Fremantle<\/p>\n

What we say: The Dockers are hot, having won nine of their past 10 games. They should take care of business against the Blues and Power, then comes the major challenges of the Lions and Bulldogs. They will need to win at least three of their final four to finish top four. No reason why not, although we are still stung by last year\u2019s late-season fumble. Best case: First. Worst case: Ninth.<\/p>\n

\"On<\/p>\n

On their way: Noah Anderson has been brilliant in leading the Suns, and could well be named as the All-Australian captain.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Gold Coast<\/p>\n

What we say: Led by the brilliant Noah Anderson, wins over the Magpies and Lions in the past three weeks could be season defining. They will take care of the Tigers this week, and should win three of their final four games to rubber-stamp a maiden finals run. Remember, they have an extra game up their sleeve. Best case: Third. Worst case: Ninth.<\/p>\n

\"Need<\/p>\n

Need to make a statement: Marcus Bontempelli and the Western Bulldogs need a top-eight scalp.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Western Bulldogs<\/p>\n

What we say: The Bulldogs took care of business against the Bomber<\/a>s, and so they should have. Now comes a major test against a premiership fancy on a five-game winning streak. And with a woeful 1-8 win-loss record against teams in the top eight, it\u2019s time for the Bulldogs to lift. \u201cThe Bont\u201d needs to find a way for his team to get the job done. Win, and they have every chance to reach September. Best case: Third. Worst case: Ninth<\/p>\n

Jon Pierik\u2019s prediction<\/p>\n

This prediction was made before round 20.<\/p>\n

Sydney<\/p>\n

What we say: As we said last week, the Swans left their run so late, they had to win all of their remaining five games to make the finals. That was still a possibility when they led by 35 points late in the second term against the Giants on Friday night, but the dream was extinguished come full-time thanks to a humbling 44-point loss. It\u2019s time for the Swans to think about 2026, when they will be in good shape to rebound. Best case: Ninth. Worst case: Ninth or lower.<\/p>\n

\"That\u2019s<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where the exit is: Ken Hinkley\u2019s time at Port Adelaide is almost up.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Port Adelaide<\/p>\n

What we say: This is the last week the Power will be on this list. Like the Swans, they had to win their remaining five games, and hope a series of results fell their way. But a thumping loss to the Crows has ended any hope of a finals\u2019 miracle. It\u2019s lights out, the full focus now on 2026 under new coach Josh Carr. Best case: 10th. Worst case: 13th.<\/p>\n

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Adelaide What we say: There is a fair argument to say the Crows are now premiership favourites, despite…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":26816,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-26815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-afl","tag-afl","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-australian-football-league","tag-australianfootballleague","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26815","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26815"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26815\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26816"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26815"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26815"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26815"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}