THE TOP 10 is locked in after Carlton secured the last wildcard spot but the jostling for final places and the chance to have a week's break continues into round 24.
Familiar foes Collingwood and Brisbane meet for the 10th time in four seasons in a Friday night clash that could have a huge bearing on how each begins its finals campaign.
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Geelong hosts Richmond under lights at the same time as Adelaide welcomes Greater Western Sydney with a top-six berth on the line across both matches on Saturday night.
The top four might only be decided in the final game of the home and away season as Hawthorn travels across the country to take on West Coast aiming to secure a double chance.
Here is who and what to look out for across round 24 as well as a tip for each match.
St Kilda v Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium
Thursday, August 20, 7.30pm AEST
Last time: Gold Coast 13.11 (89) d St Kilda 8.12 (60), R9 2026
What it means
St Kilda (10-12) again proved that it is a class above the sides sitting below it on the ladder as it brushed aside Richmond to keep its faint finals hopes alive. But the Saints now have little more than pride to play for against the Suns and will be left to rue a 1-11 record against the 10 finalists after the Blues secured the last wildcard spot ahead of round 24.
Gold Coast (8-14) challenged arch rival Brisbane for a half before being outclassed as it continued its collapse with an 11th defeat in the past 12 matches. The Suns are left searching for positives to carry into the off-season, though even a victory over the Saints might be bittersweet with a rise from the bottom five ruling them out of the possibility of a bonus second-round pick under new draft rules.
Game shapers
Bradley Hill is showing few signs of slowing down as a shining light in the Saints' season that will end with them again missing out on the finals. The 33-year-old speedster stepped up in the absence of Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera to gather 15 disposals in the first 20 minutes against the Tigers and went on to finish with 41 touches to show he has much more to offer even as he reaches 300 matches.
Bailey Humphrey has not had the season he would have wanted with the Suns after exploring his options during last year's trade period. The talented 21-year-old has shown glimpses of his best while hitting the scoreboard in each of his past seven matches but saved his biggest impact of the season for this week when he knocked back rival interest to sign a new deal to stay at the club.
Early tip: St Kilda by 11 points
Collingwood v Brisbane, MCG
Friday, August 21, 7.40pm AEST
Last time: Brisbane 17.17 (119) d Collingwood 10.5 (65), R4 2026
What it means
Collingwood (12-2-8) hung on for a historic second draw of the season against Hawthorn in the most dramatic circumstances when a defensive punch on the goal line prevented a score after the siren. The Pies have lost just once in their past nine matches, and with a +12 advantage in clearances and +37 for tackles against the Hawks, showed they have a game suited to finals before facing an old foe.
Brisbane (15-7) tightened its grip on a top-four spot with a convincing victory against Gold Coast that was its ninth in the past 10 matches. The Lions need a win against the Magpies to lock in a double chance while another comprehensive victory should be enough to set up a qualifying final clash with the Swans. A defeat to the Pies could see the Lions drop as low as seventh place.
Game shapers
Beau McCreery has made his name as a livewire forward but had arguably his best game for the Magpies when stepping into the midfield in the draw with the Hawks. The 25-year-old sparked the Pies late in the game on the way to gathering a career-high 22 disposals as well as 10 score involvements with a clear sign that his explosive speed can be a weapon further up the field.
Sam Draper has endured more injury issues than most since making his debut with the Bombers in 2020 but seems to have finally got his body right in his first campaign with the Lions. The 27-year-old will match his most games in a season when he lines up for a 22nd game this week while he has been a valuable addition to the two-time reigning premiers' side as he finally reaches 100 matches.
Early tip: Brisbane by 14 points
Carlton v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium
Saturday, August 22, 1.15pm AEST
Last time: Fremantle 16.7 (103) d Carlton 13.11 (89), R7 2026
What it means
Carlton (11-1-10) put a new spin on winners and losers coming from a draw, as the stalemate with the Western Bulldogs was enough for it to lock in a top-10 spot with a round to play. The Blues have won 10 games and had a draw in 13 matches under coach Josh Fraser but will need to pull off their biggest win yet against the Dockers, and hope the Dogs lose to the Demons, to climb up to ninth spot.
Fremantle (19-3) overcame a challenge from Adelaide in a game mostly played at finals-like intensity to bounce back from a rare defeat and secure its second minor premiership in club history. The Dockers have little to play for other than continuing to fine-tune for a pair of home finals though they can also use this trip as a trial run for what they hope will be a return to Melbourne late in September.
Game shapers
Marc Pittonet has risen to the challenge of again being the Blues' first-choice ruck with his 19 games this season the most he has played in a single campaign while he is averaging 4.8 clearances and 24 hitouts a game. The 30-year-old now has an opportunity to test himself against one of the best rucks in the competition as he comes up against the Dockers' Luke Jackson while reaching 100 matches.
Jye Amiss is primed to hit the finals in peak form after three five-goal hauls in his past four matches and with his goalkicking radar working again. The 23-year-old sharpshooter has booted a career-high 58 goals this year and sits second in the race for the Coleman Medal even as the Dockers are able to share the spoils across an imposing forward group.
Early tip: Fremantle by 18 points
Melbourne v Western Bulldogs
Saturday, August 22, 4.15pm AEST
Last time: Western Bulldogs 14.9 (93) d Melbourne 13.12 (90), R11 2026
What it means
Melbourne (15-7) has a top-six place in its own hands and could even grab a double chance with a win over the Western Bulldogs and at least one of Brisbane or Hawthorn slipping up in the final round. The Demons can turn to an ominous record on their home turf after winning 10 of their 11 games at the MCG this season though a loss could see them drop as low as seventh and into a wildcard spot.
The Western Bulldogs (12-1-9) are locked into a wildcard spot but the draw with Carlton leaves them with plenty to play for as they aim to avoid a potential interstate trip in their first final. The Dogs could climb as high as eighth with a win over the Demons while hoping that the Magpies lose, though their own defeat combined with a Blues victory would see Luke Beveridge's side drop as low as 10th place.
Game shapers
Tom Sparrow has taken his game to a new level as much as any Demons player this year as he makes the most of being handed more midfield minutes to be a key to the side's rapid rise. The 26-year-old has averaged career-highs for 22.6 disposals, 5.4 clearances and 4.9 inside 50s a game, and this week gave the Demons a huge pre-finals boost as he recommitted to the club.
Ed Richards stepped up in the absence of Bulldogs captain Marcus Bontempelli with one of the top individual performances of the season as he gathered 31 disposals with 11 score involvements and booted two goals in the draw with the Blues. The 27-year-old speedster has put a quiet patch early in the year behind him to now be a key to the Dogs' hopes of making a deep finals run.
Early tip: Melbourne by nine points
Geelong v Richmond, GMHBA Stadium
Saturday, August 22, 7.45pm AEST
Last time: Geelong 14.19 (103) d Richmond 9.10 (64), R24 2025
What it means
Geelong (14-8) was in serious danger of losing its grip on a top-six spot as North Melbourne made a blistering start before the premiership hopefuls turned the tables to claim a rousing victory. The Cats have won five in a row and can avoid the wildcard round with a victory against the Tigers while holding out hope that multiple other results fall their way to hand them a double chance.
Richmond (3-19) gave up some of the gains it had made with a win against West Coast, then a narrow loss to Adelaide as it was largely uncompetitive in defeat to St Kilda. The Tigers head to the Cats' fortress having lost on their past seven visits to the venue stretching back more than 20 years with faint hopes of ending a challenging season on a high.
Game shapers
Mark Blicavs is still to sign a deal to play on next year but presented the strongest of cases for an extension as he helped turn the game when moved into the ruck against the red-hot Roos. The 35-year-old equalled his career-high haul with three goals alongside 18 disposals and 17 hitouts to be a key to the come-from-behind win while his versatility will again be crucial to the Cats' finals campaign.
Tim Taranto has stood tall in an undermanned yet emerging midfield to put together another strong campaign that will surely be recognised in the Tigers' best and fairest count. The 28-year-old has averaged 24.2 disposals and is equal 11th in the competition for 6.2 clearances a game while guiding the next generation.
Early tip: Geelong by 47 points
Adelaide v Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide Oval
Saturday, August 22, 7.40pm ACST
Last time: Adelaide 7.10 (52) d Greater Western Sydney 4.10 (34), R6 2025
What it means
Adelaide (14-8) lost its grip on a top-six spot after failing to keep pace with Fremantle when the game was on the line in a defeat that sent it sliding down to seventh place. The Crows can climb back out of the wildcard places and avoid the longer route through the finals with a win over the Giants while hoping that at least one of the four teams immediately above them loses in the last round.
GWS (10-12) put aside its disappointment over falling out of the finals race to avenge its costly early-season defeat to West Coast with a thumping victory against the same side. The Giants should relish one last opportunity this season to show their best can compete with any side in the competition as they look to take some positivity into the off-season and end the Crows' top-six hopes.
Game shapers
Josh Rachele enjoyed a purple patch while playing in the Crows' engine room early in the season but has been quieter in recent weeks as he has spent more time lining up closer to goal. The 23-year-old has 36 goals this year as a crafty forward but could be called on to add to the Crows' midfield depth that can be exposed against the top teams as they reach the eve of finals.
Jake Stringer has blown hot and cold in a campaign that includes a bag of seven goals in the upset win against the Dockers that was followed two weeks later by kicking seven straight behinds in a horror defeat to the Bombers. The 32-year-old has put aside speculation over his future at the Giants with 42 goals and only needs one more in his 250th match to hit his second-highest tally in a season.
Early tip: Adelaide by 21 points
Essendon v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium
Sunday, August 23, 12.20pm AEST
Last time: Port Adelaide 20.13 (133) d Essendon 10.10 (70), R2 2026
What it means
Essendon (2-20) was on the path toward another horror defeat as Sydney piled on nine majors to the first change before it stopped the bleeding and limited the final margin to six goals. The Bombers might be holding out for the end of the season and changes to the coaching staff and playing list that can boost the club, but a win over the injury-hit Power could be enough to avoid the wooden spoon.
Port Adelaide (6-16) has run out of steam as injuries to key players have mounted but disappointed as it followed a thumping from Sydney with another crushing defeat to Melbourne. The Power have lost their past six matches by an average of 48 points but will hope to build positivity for the off-season with a win over the Bombers while at the same time avoiding a humiliating loss.
Game shapers
Zach Merrett continues to put aside speculation over his future to be a key contributor for the Bombers in all parts of the field while greater opportunities are handed to their young midfielders. The former skipper is still averaging 27.1 disposals and 3.5 clearances a game and should have extra motivation to maintain his high standards in what could be a last game for the club.
Joe Richards has been a valuable pick-up since moving from the Magpies to the Power at the end of 2024 and making his name as a crafty forward who is capable of stints playing higher up the ground. The 26-year-old is now showing he has more strings to his bow and he returned from injury to gather 29 disposals with nine clearances against the Demons in a critical boost for the Power's onball depth.
Early tip: Port Adelaide by 29 points
Sydney v North Melbourne, SCG
Sunday, August 23, 3.20pm AEST
Last time: Sydney 16.9 (105) d North Melbourne 14.13 (97), R9 2026
What it means
Sydney (17-5) was sailing into a finals campaign as it locked in second spot with a comfortable victory against Essendon before the club was thrown into turmoil over an alleged off-field incident. The Swans cannot move higher or lower on the ladder regardless of the result against the Roos, but could be playing with the added pressure of a cloud of uncertainty even before they look ahead to finals.
North Melbourne (9-13) shone a light on its huge potential with a seven-goal blitz before the first change against Geelong before its problems were exposed in a game that ended with a frustrating defeat. The Roos have another chance to show they are finally ready to consistently challenge the top sides at the same time as they aim to snap an 11-match losing streak against the embattled Swans.
Game shapers
Charlie Curnow took time to get going in his first year with his second club with nine goals in his opening five matches but is now within touching distance of a third Coleman Medal. The Swans spearhead has booted 43 goals in his past 11 matches to soar to 66 for the year and sit eight clear of Jye Amiss as the next best with one round remaining.
Nick Larkey has endured a challenging season in his first year as Kangaroos captain with the sharpshooter at times losing his radar in front of goal even while on the way to booting 44 goals. The 28-year-old has continued to be a target throughout and returned to his reliable goalkicking form with five straight against the Cats and now needs three more for his second-highest tally in a season.
Early tip: Sydney by eight points
West Coast v Hawthorn, Optus Stadium
Sunday, August 23, 5.20pm AWST
Last time: Hawthorn 18.16 (124) d West Coast 11.8 (74), R7 2025
What it means
West Coast (4-18) paid the price for again misfiring in front of goal as it booted 2.14 after the first change to gradually lose touch with GWS in a 10th straight defeat. The Eagles have seen their early-season promise slowly fade away as the losses have mounted up and they still need one more win to match their five victories in 2024 that remains the benchmark of their past five years.
Hawthorn (14-2-6) was left to rue a last-gasp shot for goal falling agonisingly short as a draw with Collingwood means it is still to secure a double chance and a third-place finish is out of its own hands. The Hawks only need a win against the Eagles to finish in the top four with an emphatic victory boosting their hopes of climbing up to third, though a defeat could see them drop as low as seventh.
Game shapers
Harley Reid continues to fulfil all his promise as he adds more consistency to his game with his 25 disposals against the Giants making it 21 out of 22 matches where he has had at least 20 touches. The 21-year-old has already taken command of the onball brigade with his average of 6.7 clearances a game sixth in the competition and a shining light in the Eagles' declining campaign.
Jack Gunston might have bigger concerns than the Coleman Medal with the Hawks right in the premiership race but the key forward has shown he is as dangerous as anyone with the highest average for goals at 3.4 per game this year. The 34-year-old is showing few signs of slowing down with 54 goals this year as he remains the Hawks' focal point as he reaches 300 matches.
Early tip: Hawthorn by 23 points