1. Collingwood
70 points (17 wins, three losses, one draw) 144.49 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Hawthorn at the MCG
Despite having its momentum slowed a tad by Adelaide on Saturday, Collingwood will still charge to its first minor premiership since 1977. The Pies' reward may not be the cash the president is after, but they will get to play a fading Bulldogs team first week in the finals. In between now and then looms Hawthorn, a team that will have a lot to play for next week.
2. Geelong
64 points (16 wins, five losses), 147.25 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: West Coast at Skilled Stadium
It's a question of attitude for the Cats. Do they fustigate West Coast at home next week as a tune up for the Saints the week after? Or will they be content to just do enough and win by 10 goals or so? Decisions, decisions.
3. St Kilda
62 points (15 wins, five losses, one draw) 124.38 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
Rene Descartes concerned himself a fair bit with the interaction between mind and body, and Saints coach Ross Lyon may channel the French philosopher this week. After all, he must work out how to keep St Kilda's minds in the same place as its bodies when they play Adelaide instead of wandering toward Geelong, the Saints' opponent in week one of the finals.
4. Western Bulldogs
52 points (13 wins, eight losses) 124.82 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Not a great Saturday night for Julia Gillard, was it? The Dogs have lost their bark and their bite in recent weeks, but will still fall into fourth even if they lose to Essendon next week. In any case, a hungry Collingwood awaits in week one of the finals - not a welcome prospect given the Bullies' form woes.
5. Sydney Swans
48 points (12 wins, nine losses), 106.46 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
The Swans can wrap up a home final with a win over the Lions next week and, if their latter-season form surge can continue, they will hit September as something of a dark horse. Watch out top four!
6. Fremantle
48 points (12 wins, nine losses) 103.75 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Carlton at Subiaco Oval
Freo's decision to field a B team against Hawthorn will look even sillier if Carlton heads west and wins on Friday night. It is a huge game for Fremantle, who will shore up a home final with a win but will head to Sydney or Melbourne for a knockout semi should it lose.
7. Hawthorn
46 points (11 wins, nine losses, one draw) 111.07 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Collingwood at the MCG
Permutations could see the Hawks finish anywhere from fifth to eighth but if they would like to avoid travelling to Sydney or Perth for the first week of the finals, the equation becomes simpler: beat Collingwood - something no team has managed to do since round ten.
8. Carlton
44 points (11 wins, 10 losses), 108.78 per cent
The run home:
Rd 22: Fremantle at Subiaco Oval
A home final is still a real possibility for Carlton but only if it can overcome Freo on Friday night. Win that, and the Blues must rely on either Hawthorn or the Swans (or both) getting beaten to be sure of a Melbourne start to their September campaign.
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
