weakened by the absences of multiple superstars following Monday morning\u2019s alleged incident<\/a>.<\/p>\nCompared to finishing fourth, and travelling to face flag favourites Fremantle, the reward for finishing third is therefore massive with a home preliminary final up for grabs.<\/p>\n
As one example, if Brisbane def Collingwood by four goals 80 to 56, and in the Hawthorn-West Coast game the Hawks allowed 56 points, they would need to score 121 to pass Brisbane.<\/p>\n
Similarly whoever finishes sixth will have a greater than usual chance of making a preliminary final, as they would face the Swans if they lose their qualifying final. Should all favourites win this would be Geelong.<\/p>\n
Brisbane and Hawthorn will duel it out on percentage for the right to play Sydney in a qualifying final. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
CURRENT AFL LADDER (entering Friday night)<\/p>\n
1. Fremantle (19-3, 142.5%) – To play: Carlton at Marvel Stadium, Saturday 1:15pm<\/p>\n
2. Sydney Swans (17-5, 134.5%) – To play: North Melbourne at the SCG, Sunday 3:20pm<\/p>\n
3. Brisbane Lions (15-7, 119.5%) – To play: Collingwood at the MCG, Friday 7:40pm<\/p>\n
4. Hawthorn (14-6-2, 117.3%) – To play: West Coast at Optus Stadium, Sunday 7:20pm<\/p>\n
5. Melbourne (15-7, 111.2%) – To play: Western Bulldogs at the MCG, Saturday 4:15pm<\/p>\n
6. Geelong (14-8, 120.2%) – To play: Richmond at GMHBA Stadium, Saturday 7:45pm<\/p>\n
7. Adelaide Crows (14-8, 115.1%) – To play: GWS at Adelaide Oval, Saturday 8:10pm<\/p>\n
8. Collingwood (12-8-2, 106.1%) – To play: Brisbane at the MCG, Friday 7:40pm<\/p>\n
9. Western Bulldogs (12-9-1, 94.1%) – To play: Melbourne at the MCG, Saturday 4:15pm<\/p>\n
10. Carlton (11-10-1, 99.6%) – To play: Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, Saturday 1:15pm<\/p>\n
CURRENT PREDICTED FINALS BRACKET<\/p>\n
First Qualifying Final (1st hosts 4th): Fremantle vs Hawthorn at Optus Stadium<\/p>\n
First Elimination Final (5th hosts Lowest Ranked Wildcard Winner): Melbourne vs TBC (Pies\/Dogs\/Blues) at the MCG<\/p>\n
First Wildcard Final (7th hosts 10th): Adelaide Crows vs Carlton at Adelaide Oval<\/p>\n
Second Wildcard Final (8th hosts 9th): Collingwood vs Western Bulldogs at the MCG<\/p>\n
Second Elimination Final (6th hosts Highest Ranked Wildcard Winner): Geelong vs TBC (Crows\/Pies\/Dogs) at the MCG<\/p>\n
Second Qualifying Final (2nd hosts 3rd): Sydney Swans vs Brisbane Lions at the SCG<\/p>\n
The wildcard finals are played the week after the home and away season ends, with the top six teams getting a bye.<\/p>\n
CURRENT PREDICTED FINAL LADDER<\/p>\n
1. Fremantle (20-3)<\/p>\n
2. Sydney Swans (17-6)<\/p>\n
3. Brisbane Lions (16-7)<\/p>\n
4. Hawthorn (15-6-2)<\/p>\n
5. Melbourne (16-7)<\/p>\n
6. Geelong (15-8)<\/p>\n
7. Adelaide Crows (15-8)<\/p>\n
8. Collingwood (12-9-2)<\/p>\n
9. Western Bulldogs (12-10-1)<\/p>\n
10. Carlton (11-11-1)<\/p>\n
Pies offensive evolution through season | 02:06<\/p>\n
HOW ROUND 24 WILL PLAY OUT, CHRONOLOGICALLY<\/p>\n
Thursday night: St Kilda vs Gold Coast Suns, 7:30pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
This game had no impact on the finals race.<\/p>\n
Friday night: Collingwood vs Brisbane Lions, 7:40pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
– if Collingwood wins: Magpies finish 8th, Lions finish between 3rd-7th depending on Hawks, Demons, Cats and Crows\u2019 results\/percentage (likely 6th)<\/p>\n
– if Brisbane wins: Magpies finish 8th if Demons def Dogs, 9th if Dogs def Demons; Lions finish 3rd\/4th depending on whether Hawks can close percentage gap of approx. 7 goals (as of pre-R24)<\/p>\n
Saturday early: Carlton vs Fremantle, 1:15pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
– if Carlton wins: Blues finish between 8th-10th depending on Magpies and Dogs\u2019 results\/percentage (likely 9th); Dockers finish 1st<\/p>\n
– if Fremantle wins: Blues finish 10th; Dockers finish 1st<\/p>\n
Saturday twilight: Melbourne vs Western Bulldogs, 4:15pm at the MCG<\/p>\n
– if Melbourne wins: Demons finish between 3rd-5th depending on Lions and Hawks\u2019 results\/percentage (likely 5th); Bulldogs finish 9th if Dockers def Blues, 10th if Blues def Dockers (likely 9th)<\/p>\n
– if Western Bulldogs win: Demons finish between 5th-7th depending on Cats and Crows\u2019 results (likely 7th); Bulldogs finish 8th if Lions def Magpies, 9th if Magpies def Lions<\/p>\n
Saturday night: Geelong vs Richmond, 7:45pm at GMHBA Stadium<\/p>\n
– if Geelong wins: Cats finish between 3rd-6th depending on Lions, Hawks and Demons\u2019 results (likely 6th)<\/p>\n
– if Richmond wins: Cats finish 6th if Giants def Crows, 7th if Crows def Giants<\/p>\n
Saturday night: Adelaide Crows vs GWS Giants, 8:10pm at Adelaide Oval<\/p>\n
– if Adelaide wins: Crows finish between 3rd-7th depending on Lions, Hawks, Demons and Cats\u2019 results\/percentage (likely 7th)<\/p>\n
– if GWS wins: Crows finish 7th<\/p>\n
Sunday early: Essendon vs Port Adelaide, 12:20pm at Marvel Stadium<\/p>\n
This game has no impact on the finals race.<\/p>\n
Sunday afternoon: Sydney Swans vs North Melbourne, 3:20pm at the SCG<\/p>\n
The Swans are locked into 2nd.<\/p>\n
Sunday night: West Coast Eagles vs Hawthorn, 7:20pm at Optus Stadium<\/p>\n
– if Hawthorn wins: Hawks finish 3rd if Lions lose to Magpies OR Hawks close percentage gap of approx. 7 goals (as of pre-R24), otherwise 4th<\/p>\n
– if West Coast wins: Hawks finish between 4th-7th depending on Demons, Cats and Crows\u2019 results\/percentage (likely 7th)<\/p>\n
“Get up to speed with the modern game” | 03:09<\/p>\n
TEAM-BY-TEAM FINALS SCENARIOS<\/p>\n
1. FREMANTLE (19-3, 142.5%)<\/p>\n
To play: Carlton at Marvel Stadium, Saturday 1:15pm<\/p>\n
Win or Lose: Finish 1st<\/p>\n
Fox Footy\u2019s prediction: Win and finish 1st, host Hawthorn in a qualifying final<\/p>\n
2. SYDNEY SWANS (17-5, 134.5%)<\/p>\n
To play: North Melbourne at the SCG, Sunday 3:20pm<\/p>\n
Win or Lose: Finish 2nd<\/p>\n
Fox Footy\u2019s prediction: Lose and finish 2nd, host Brisbane in a qualifying final<\/p>\n
3. BRISBANE LIONS (15-7, 119.5%)<\/p>\n
To play: Collingwood at the MCG, Friday 7:40pm<\/p>\n
Win: Finish 3rd if Hawthorn (vs WC) loses or can\u2019t make up 7-goal percentage gap, otherwise 4th<\/p>\n
Lose: Finish 3rd if Hawthorn, Melbourne (vs WB), Geelong (vs RIC) and Adelaide* (vs GWS) all lose, 4th if three lose, 5th if two lose, 6th if one loses, 7th if none lose<\/p>\n
Fox Footy\u2019s prediction: Win and finish 3rd, away to Sydney in a qualifying final<\/p>\n
*Crows need to recover 4.4% to pass Lions, approx. 14 goals<\/p>\n
4. HAWTHORN (14-6-2, 117.3%)<\/p>\n
To play: West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium, Sunday 7:20pm<\/p>\n
Win: Finish 3rd if Brisbane (vs COL) lose OR Hawks win by approx. 7 goals more, if neither finish 4th<\/p>\n
Lose: Finish 4th if Melbourne (vs WB), Geelong (vs RIC) and Adelaide (vs GWS) all lose, 5th if one loses, 6th if two lose, 7th if none lose<\/p>\n
Fox Footy\u2019s prediction: Win and finish 4th, away to Fremantle in a qualifying final<\/p>\n
5. MELBOURNE (15-7, 111.2%)<\/p>\n
To play: Western Bulldogs at the MCG, Saturday 4:15pm<\/p>\n
Win: Finish 3rd if Brisbane (vs COL) and Hawthorn (vs WC) both lose, 4th if one loses, 5th if neither lose<\/p>\n
Lose: Finish 7th if Geelong (vs RIC) and Adelaide (vs GWS) both win, 6th if one wins, 5th if neither win<\/p>\n
Fox Footy\u2019s prediction: Win and finish 5th, host TBC (Collingwood, Western Bulldogs or Carlton) in an elimination final<\/p>\n
6. GEELONG (14-8, 120.2%)<\/p>\n
To play: Richmond at GMHBA Stadium, Saturday 7:45pm<\/p>\n
Win: Finish 3rd if Brisbane (vs COL), Hawthorn (vs WC) and Melbourne (vs WB) all lose, 4th if two lose, 5th if one loses, 6th if none lose<\/p>\n
Lose: Finish 7th if Adelaide (vs GWS) wins, 6th if Adelaide loses<\/p>\n
Fox Footy\u2019s prediction: Win and finish 6th, host TBC (Adelaide, Collingwood or Western Bulldogs) in a wildcard final<\/p>\n
7. ADELAIDE CROWS (14-8, 115.1%)<\/p>\n
To play: GWS Giants at Adelaide Oval, Saturday 8:10pm<\/p>\n
Win: Finish 3rd if Brisbane* (vs COL), Hawthorn (vs WC), Melbourne (vs WB) and Geelong (vs RIC) all lose, 4th if three lose, 5th if two lose, 6th if one loses, 7th if none lose<\/p>\n
Lose: Finish 7th<\/p>\n
Fox Footy\u2019s prediction: Win and finish 7th, host Carlton in a wildcard final<\/p>\n
*Crows need to recover 4.4% to pass Lions, approx. 14 goals<\/p>\n
8. COLLINGWOOD (12-8-2, 106.1%)<\/p>\n
To play: Brisbane Lions at the MCG, Friday 7:40pm<\/p>\n
Win: Finish 8th<\/p>\n
Lose: Finish 9th if Western Bulldogs (vs MEL) win, otherwise 8th<\/p>\n
Fox Footy\u2019s prediction: Lose and finish 8th, host Western Bulldogs in a wildcard final<\/p>\n
9. WESTERN BULLDOGS (12-9-1, 94.1%)<\/p>\n
To play: Melbourne at the MCG, Saturday 4:15pm<\/p>\n
Win: Finish 8th if Collingwood (vs BL) loses, otherwise 9th<\/p>\n
Lose: Finish 9th if Carlton (vs FRE) loses, otherwise 10th<\/p>\n
Fox Footy\u2019s prediction: Lose and finish 9th, away to Collingwood in a wildcard final<\/p>\n
10. CARLTON (11-10-1, 99.6%)<\/p>\n
To play: Fremantle at Marvel Stadium, Saturday 1:15pm<\/p>\n
Win: Finish 9th<\/p>\n
Lose: Finish 10th if Western Bulldogs (vs MEL) win, otherwise 9th<\/p>\n
Fox Footy\u2019s prediction: Lose and finish 10th, away to Adelaide in a wildcard final<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The final round of the 2026 AFL season is here, with the 10 finalists still jostling for position…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":861955,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[560],"tags":[638,64,63,55,639,85],"class_list":["post-861954","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\/861954","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=861954"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/861954\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/861955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=861954"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=861954"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=861954"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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<\/p>\n