In the thrilling world of Australian rules football, the race for the top six spots is heating up, with one game poised to decide the fate of several teams. As the season enters its final stretch, let's delve into the remaining fixtures and analyze the chances of each club securing a spot in the finals. One team, in particular, is making a surprising push for the wildcard spot, while others are fighting for their lives. From the Dockers' dominance to the Cats' struggles, every team has a story to tell. So, let's dive into the analysis and predictions, keeping in mind that the wildcard finals are played the week after the home and away season ends, with the top six teams getting a bye. The projected finals bracket is as follows: First Qualifying Final (1st hosts 4th): Fremantle vs Brisbane Lions at Optus Stadium. First Elimination Final (5th hosts Lowest Ranked Wildcard Winner): Adelaide Crows vs TBD at Adelaide Oval. First Wildcard Final (7th hosts 10th): Geelong vs GWS Giants at the MCG. Second Wildcard Final (8th hosts 9th): Western Bulldogs vs Collingwood at the MCG. Second Elimination Final (6th hosts Highest Ranked Wildcard Winner): Melbourne vs TBD at the MCG. Second Qualifying Final (2nd hosts 3rd): Sydney Swans vs Hawthorn at the SCG. Now, let's take a closer look at each team's remaining fixtures and analyze their chances. Fremantle (15-2, 142.3%): The Dockers are mathematically locked into the finals and are almost mathematically locked into the top six. With two games clear of Sydney, they look near-certainties to be minor premiers and would need to completely collapse to miss a home qualifying final. Their remaining games include Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, West Coast at Optus Stadium, Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium, Melbourne at the MCG, Adelaide Crows at Optus Stadium, and Carlton at Marvel Stadium. Sydney Swans (13-4, 131.2%): The Swans remain two games clear of third and should finish second as long as they win at least one of their next two games. Their remaining fixtures are Adelaide Crows at the SCG, GWS at ENGIE Stadium, St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, Port Adelaide at the SCG, Essendon at the MCG, and North Melbourne at the SCG. Hawthorn (11-5-1, 114.2%): The Hawks have a strong grip on a top-four finish with four games left against four of the worst teams in the league, plus a clash with Collingwood they'll go into as favourites. Their remaining games include Richmond at the MCG, Essendon at the MCG, North Melbourne at UTAS Stadium, Brisbane at the Gabba, Collingwood at the MCG, and West Coast at Optus Stadium. Brisbane Lions (11-6, 117.1%): The Lions are well-placed to finish ahead of the Crows and Demons, and make the top four, because their draw is easier. Their remaining fixtures are West Coast at Optus Stadium, Port Adelaide at the Gabba, Carlton at Marvel Stadium, Hawthorn at the Gabba, Gold Coast at the Gabba, and Collingwood at the MCG. Adelaide Crows (11-6, 116.9%): The Crows' recent losses have given them some much-needed breathing room in the top-six race. Their remaining games include Sydney at the SCG, Collingwood at Adelaide Oval, Essendon at Marvel Stadium, Richmond at Adelaide Oval, Fremantle at Optus Stadium, and GWS at Adelaide Oval. Melbourne (11-6, 109%): The Demons would've watched GWS' comeback win over the Cats with glee, as they are now two wins clear inside the top six with just six games left! Their remaining fixtures include North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, Geelong at the MCG, Gold Coast at People First Stadium, Fremantle at the MCG, Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, and Western Bulldogs at the MCG. Western Bulldogs (10-7, 92.3%): The Bulldogs just need to keep getting the job done against lesser sides, with the Tigers and Kangaroos left. Their remaining games include Gold Coast at People First Stadium, Richmond at Marvel Stadium, Fremantle at Optus Stadium, North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, Carlton at Marvel Stadium, and Melbourne at the MCG. Collingwood (9-7-1, 104.4%): The Magpies are fighting for a wildcard spot, with an unlikely scenario where they upset two or three of the contenders left on this fixture and finish on 13 or 14 wins. Their remaining fixtures include Carlton at the MCG, Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Geelong at the MCG, West Coast at Optus Stadium, Hawthorn at the MCG, and Brisbane at the MCG. Geelong (9-8, 115.2%): The Cats seem to have forgotten that it doesn't matter if you've got an easy run home if, by the time you reach the easy part, you've fallen too far down the ladder. Their remaining games include St Kilda at GMHBA Stadium, Melbourne at the MCG, Collingwood at the MCG, Essendon at GMHBA Stadium, North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, and Richmond at GMHBA Stadium. St Kilda (8-9, 106.1%): The Saints have a very solid path to 12 wins, which with their percentage, almost certainly gets them into the finals. Their remaining fixtures include Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, Sydney at Marvel Stadium, Carlton at Marvel Stadium, Richmond at the MCG, and Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium. GWS Giants (8-9, 101.6%): The Giants are very hard to get a read on other than 'they will be scary if you play them in September'. Their remaining games include Essendon at Marvel Stadium, Sydney at ENGIE Stadium, Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, Gold Coast at Manuka Oval, West Coast at ENGIE Stadium, and Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. Carlton (8-9, 91.9%): The Blues have a reasonable path to 12 wins if they beat the Magpies, plus the Suns, Saints, and Bulldogs. Their remaining fixtures include Collingwood at the MCG, Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium, Brisbane at Marvel Stadium, St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, and Fremantle at Marvel Stadium. North Melbourne (8-9, 91.4%): The Kangaroos are fighting for their lives, with a very hard path to the wildcard. Their remaining games include Melbourne at Marvel Stadium, St Kilda at Marvel Stadium, Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium, Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, Geelong at Marvel Stadium, and Sydney at the SCG. Gold Coast Suns (7-10, 95.6%): The Suns are still in the hunt, if only just. Their remaining fixtures include Western Bulldogs at People First Stadium, Carlton at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne at People First Stadium, GWS at Manuka Oval, Brisbane at the Gabba, and St Kilda at Marvel Stadium. Port Adelaide (6-11, 101.3%): The Power could still make it by winning every remaining game, but they weren’t doing that with a healthy Zak Butters, and they certainly won’t do it without him. Their remaining games include Fremantle at Adelaide Oval, Brisbane at the Gabba, GWS at Adelaide Oval, Sydney at the SCG, Melbourne at Adelaide Oval, and Essendon at Marvel Stadium. West Coast Eagles (4-13, 72%): The Eagles' remaining fixtures include Brisbane at Optus Stadium, Fremantle at Optus Stadium, Richmond at the MCG, Collingwood at Optus Stadium, GWS at ENGIE Stadium, and Hawthorn at Optus Stadium. Richmond (2-15, 63%): The Tigers' remaining games include Hawthorn at the MCG, Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium, West Coast at the MCG, Adelaide at Adelaide Oval, St Kilda at the MCG, and Geelong at GMHBA Stadium. Essendon (1-16, 66.6%): The Bombers' remaining fixtures include GWS at Marvel Stadium, Hawthorn at the MCG, Adelaide at Marvel Stadium, Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, Sydney at the MCG, and Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium. In conclusion, the race for the top six spots is heating up, with Fremantle, Sydney Swans, Hawthorn, Brisbane Lions, Adelaide Crows, and Melbourne leading the charge. However, the wildcard spot is still up for grabs, with Geelong, Western Bulldogs, Collingwood, and GWS Giants fighting for their lives. The remaining fixtures will decide the fate of these teams, and the wildcard finals will be a thrilling spectacle. So, get your tickets ready and enjoy the ride as the AFL season enters its final stretch!
