State of Play hosts Joe Pignataro and Gemma Bastiani preview the big topics ahead of this weekend's VFL and VFLW action.

Epic rivalry writes another chapter under the Friday night lights
All roads lead to a blockbuster on Friday night at Kinetic Stadium. Despite a seven-point loss to Southport in Round 18, Frankston moved up the ladder to fifth. A spot in the top four is on the table when they face the ninth-placed Port Melbourne. In recent years the Dolphins have had the wood over the Borough but this will be no easy task. Spots in the top ten are at a premium and a win for the travelling side puts them in contention for a top six place and almost certainly locks a spot in the finals for the first time since 2019.

Collingwood as second seed
The debate has been on in recent weeks – which side is the closest to two-time premier North Melbourne Werribee? Williamstown staked its claim, and a strong percentage had it in pole position earlier in the season, but some Round 11 results swung favouritism toward the Pies. A demolition of Darebin, and a loss for Williamstown means Collingwood now sits atop the ladder. And it begs a new question; are the Pies really second seed? Or have they pushed into outright favourites?

Bombers form their own chance
With a sweet turn of form over the last month, Essendon was becoming a VFL finals-shaper, able to take on others fighting it out to make the finals. But suddenly, that form hasn't just allowed the Bombers to wreak havoc on those racing toward finals, it has meant they have become a genuine chance to reach the post-season themselves. An upset win over Box Hill last week makes the final three rounds very interesting, and now with a bye, Collingwood, and Sydney to come, there is a very real chance that Essendon makes a surprise finals appearance in 2026.

Who is the VFL coach of the year?
Werribee coach Dan Lowther can lay claim to coach of the year honours given the 2024 premiers, who missed out on finals action last year, are back to second on the table having won eight games in a row. Mark Corrigan has guided Geelong to its first minor premiership since 2013 and Jamie Cassidy-McNamara has Coburg on the edge of a finals berth for the first time since 2008. But, Nick Malceski has given Sydney the license to thrill in 2026. The Swans are on track for their best output in a home and away season since 2022, with a top-four finish beckoning. They are consistent, reliable and hard to play against – much like the man who won the 2012 AFL premiership off his own boot.

A long time coming
Geelong broke an unfortunate streak on the weekend, beating Casey for the first time since 2021, and doing so convincingly. That last win over the Demons – by two points in round six – featured a host of AFLW players for both sides, including now All-Australian Laura Gardiner, premiership player Eliza West, and Cats star Claudia Gunjaca, and preceded a Grand Final qualification for Geelong (ultimately cancelled due to COVID). Saturday's win looked very different. Two AFLW-listed players ran out – Jasmin Stewart and Renee Morgan – and it was a result built on the steady improvement shown by Geelong throughout the year.

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