{"id":58976,"date":"2025-08-11T02:30:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T02:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/58976\/"},"modified":"2025-08-11T02:30:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T02:30:15","slug":"who-will-make-the-finals-in-the-race-for-the-top-eight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/58976\/","title":{"rendered":"Who will make the finals in the race for the top eight?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Crow<\/p>\n

Crow call: Skipper Jordan Dawson is central to Adelaide\u2019s premiership hopes.Credit: AFL Photos<\/p>\n

Geelong<\/p>\n

What we say: As we have said for weeks, the Cats have the softest run home, and they are cashing in \u2013 even resting skipper Patrick Dangerfield. The Magpies\u2019 woes have allowed them to jump into second spot (on percentage), and the double chance is surely now within keeping. The Swans loomed as their only challenge in the final month, so Sunday\u2019s clash will be a good hitout for Chris Scott and his men. Best case: First. Worst case: Fourth.<\/p>\n

\"Refreshed:<\/p>\n

Refreshed: Patrick Dangerfield was afforded a rest against Essendon.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Collingwood<\/p>\n

What we say: This has been some fall from grace for a team that last month was 10 points clear on top of the ladder. The Magpies have since dropped four of their past five games<\/a>, and appear a shell of the fluent, ball-moving side we had become accustomed to. The Magpies looked old and slow against the Hawks, and appeared too heavily reliant on Nick Daicos for creativity. The absence again of a concussed Jeremy Howe weakens a fragile defence. Now come the rampaging Crows. Surely, the Magpies will at least beat the Demons in round 24 \u2026 or so we think. Best case: First. Worst case: Sixth.<\/p>\n

\"Main<\/p>\n

Main man: The Magpies appear overly reliant on Nick Daicos for their ball movement.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Fremantle<\/p>\n

What we say: While the Crows have won the plaudits, the Dockers are just as hot. They have won five on the bounce, and 11 of their past 12 games, their only loss by 11 points to Sydney. They are playing a more attacking game, and the results are showing. Now comes arguably the toughest fortnight of the prospective finalists. Win both and a top-two berth could be within reach. We\u2019ll back them in against the Lions, but reserve our thoughts when it comes to the Western Bulldogs. Best case: First. Worst case: Sixth.<\/p>\n

\"On<\/p>\n

On a tear: Andrew Brayshaw and the Dockers are in fine form.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n

Brisbane Lions<\/p>\n

What we say: The Lions aren\u2019t the dominant force many thought they would be, and may have now let slip the double chance \u2013 and a true shot at their premiership defence. Wow. The loss of Lachie Neale for the remainder of the home-and-away season has hurt. The Swans troubled the Lions by going by hand as often as possible from defence on Saturday \u2013 a tactic others, surely, will follow. That\u2019s two losses in three weeks, with the Dockers to come in Perth. Lose that, and the double chance could be all but a memory. Huge week ahead. Best case: Third. Worst case: Eighth.<\/p>\n

\"Hobbled:<\/p>\n

Hobbled: Lachie Neale won\u2019t play again until the finals.Credit: via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Gold Coast<\/p>\n

What we say: It\u2019s always felt a touch odd to believe the Suns could earn the double chance, because we know their finals history \u2013 or lack thereof \u2013 all too well. But with an extra game up their sleeve (the rescheduled clash against Essendon), the double chance is within reach. They should take care of the Giants this week, while the Power, at home, are still a major challenge. We\u2019ll back the Suns in to win both, leaving the Bombers clash to ultimately determine their fate. Best case: Second. Worst case: Ninth.<\/p>\n

\"Within<\/p>\n

Within reach: Ben King and the Gold Coast Suns are on the cusp of a maiden finals run.Credit: AFL Photos<\/p>\n

Hawthorn<\/p>\n

What we say: Hokball is back, and the Hawks deserve praise. We were worried about their finals hopes, even last month tipping they would miss the top eight. But a strong performance on the road against the Crows, and a crushing win over Collingwood<\/a> (we changed our projection last week and tipped the Hawks), have them all but certain finalists. They should take care of business against the Demons, leaving the trip north on the final Sunday of the home-and-away season to determine their top-four hopes. Best case: Fourth. Worst case: Ninth.<\/p>\n

\"Reading<\/p>\n

Reading the room: Jack Ginnivan knows how to play the pantomime villain in Adelaide.Credit: Fox Footy<\/p>\n

GWS<\/p>\n

What we say: This is a tough one. After their shocker against the Bulldogs, our top-eight projections had the Giants missing September on percentage. That was dependent on them losing to the Suns next weekend. However, if they can flip that script and win, and then take care of the Saints, they should be in. A top-four finish, though, appears a step too far. Best case: Fifth. Worst case: Ninth.<\/p>\n

\"Hanging<\/p>\n

Hanging on: The Giants are clinging to a finals berth.Credit: via Getty Images<\/p>\n

Western Bulldogs<\/p>\n

What we say: The Dogs got out of jail against the Demons to remain in the finals hunt<\/a>. Had they lost, their season would have been all but over. However, Hawthorn\u2019s win over the Magpies hasn\u2019t helped the Dogs\u2019 cause, because they are running out of teams they can replace in the top eight. They will knock over the Eagles next Sunday. Then comes a season-defining clash against the Dockers. Best case: Sixth. Worst case: Ninth.<\/p>\n

\"On<\/p>\n

On the edge: Marcus Bontempelli and his Bulldogs may miss the finals.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n

How we think it will play out<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Crow call: Skipper Jordan Dawson is central to Adelaide\u2019s premiership hopes.Credit: AFL Photos Geelong What we say: As…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":58977,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-58976","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\/58976","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=58976"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/58976\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/58977"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=58976"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=58976"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=58976"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}