THE SEPTEMBER hopes of five clubs have been reignited following the AFL Commission's decision to eject Essendon from the 2013 finals series.

Click here to see the LIVE ladder after Essendon's relegation to ninth position

With the previously seventh-placed Bombers now consigned to ending the season in ninth place, a spot has been vacated for one of five clubs. 

The contenders for an unprecedented finals wildcard are Carlton, the Brisbane Lions, North Melbourne, Adelaide or West Coast.

Tuesday night's announcement sets the stage for a tantalising final round that, with Essendon, would only have been relevant for determining the final ladder positions of the eight already-qualified teams. 

For the five lucky losers, the equation is the simplest for Carlton, marooned in ninth place before Essendon's fall. 

The Blues' destiny is in their own hands. They will qualify for an elimination final if they defeat finals-bound Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Saturday.

Even if Mick Malthouse's men lose, they could still qualify for the finals, providing the Lions go down to Geelong at Simonds Stadium, North Melbourne loses to Collingwood at the MCG, and neither West Coast or Adelaide makes up a considerable percentage gap when they clash at Patersons Stadium.

All four of the other contenders must rely on the Power winning at home against Carlton.

KEY ROUND 23 MATCH-UPS

Geelong v Brisbane Lions, Simonds Stadium, Saturday 2.10pm
Port Adelaide v Carlton, AAMI Stadium, Saturday, 4.10pm
West Coast v Adelaide, Patersons Stadium, Saturday, 6.10pm
Collingwood v North Melbourne, MCG, Sunday, 3.20pm

Click here to see the LIVE ladder after Essendon's relegation to ninth position