What The F-Arc Review:

Tigers back in back-to-back huntย 

A new week and a new premiership favourite. The Tigers were able to handle the Cats with some ease as Richmond continue to dominate in Queensland. Losing Tom Lynch and Ivan Soldo for some time will be a major blow but the Tiges are set for a top-four finish come finals. Perhaps this was the wake up the Cats needed, with the club still able to hold onto a top four spot and re-evaluate before finals get underway. Hopefully this wasnโ€™t the last time we got to see these two face off this season.

Demons edge past Giants in thriller to keep season alive

The Demons could definitely ruffle some feathers if they are to reach the finals. They currently sit four points off the pace but their season-saving five-point win over GWS could just be the flame that ignites a dream run. Theyโ€™ll need the Doggies to lose to Fremantle and/or St Kilda to get hammered by the Giants this weekend whilst putting the Bombers to bed themselves. It wonโ€™t be easy but thereโ€™s a chance. The Giants missed their opportunity to put one foot through the finals door but at least they remain in the contest. Brent Daniels kicked what will be the goal of the year, but it was Tom Langdon and Trent Rivers stealing the show in a close one.

Crows make it three in Gibbsโ€™ farewell

Matthew Nicks has done it yet again. The September specialist is now 3-0 since the first day of spring and could even dodge the wooden spoon in his debut season. Bryce Gibbs may have played one of the greatest swansong performances ever, collecting 27 touches and leading his team to a win while former teammates chaired him off the field. The Blues seem to be the 2nd half maestroโ€™s, or maybe they just donโ€™t like showing up in the first two terms, either way they brought this game back into a contest before the Crows ran it home.

De Goey and Cox punish struggling Suns

Where to start with this one? The Pies clinched their finals placing with a 22-point victory over Gold Coast despite the contest being within a kick for a majority of the four quarters. Jordan De Goey and Adam Treloar returned to Nathan Buckleyโ€™s lineup and didnโ€™t look out of touch, collecting four goals and 26 disposals respectively. While plenty stepped up for the Magpies, it was the 2-metre-tall American that stole the show. Mason Cox booted two of his own in what might be his one good game for the year, but letโ€™s hope thereโ€™s plenty left in the tank heading into October.

Lower The Eyes:

North Melbourne vs. West Coast

The Eagles will be primed for a home final coming off a two-week break after playing North Melbourne before their pre-finals bye. Rhyce Shaw looked a defeated man in the post-match presser on the weekend and heโ€™ll be happy to hear the season is almost over. The Eagles should collect the four points with some comfort and will welcome back some big names by the first week of finals. Donโ€™t count them out of the premiership just yet.

during the round 16 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the North Melbourne Kangaroos at Domain Stadium on July 10, 2016 in Perth, Australia.

St Kilda vs. Greater Western Sydney

The highlight fixture of the round, with both sides both standing a chance to miss/make the top eight. The Giants will have to demolish the Saints as if they were an under-14โ€™s side, and even then other results will have to go their way. If the Saints cough up their finals spot it could just go down as one of the biggest chokes for some time. Either way, everything is on the line and it will be an absolute spectacle nonetheless.

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 04: Tim Membrey of the Saints hand balls under pressure from Harry Himmelberg of the Giants during the round seven AFL match between the Greater Western Sydney Giants and the St Kilda Saints at Manuka Oval on May 04, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Essendon vs. Melbourne

It would be very Melbourne to have the Bulldogs and Giants open the gates for their finals spot, only for them to fall to an Essendon side that has nothing to play for. Danger games donโ€™t get much bigger and you can bet Demons fans will be a nervous wreck all week. John Worsfold believed his side were premiership contenders at the beginning of the year and is now asking Bombers fans for their patience? ย I think the Essendon faithful will be quite happy Woosha has one game left at Windy Hill.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 05: Jay Lockhart of the Demons celebrates a goal during the 2019 AFL round 03 match between the Melbourne Demons and the Essendon Bombers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on April 05, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)

Adelaide vs. Richmond

It couldnโ€™t happen. It just couldnโ€™t, could it? The Crows are flying in September off the back of three straight wins, but theyโ€™ll come up against the in-from side of the league in Richmond. How sweet a finish it would be for the Crows to get the win over the club that sparked their downfall, whilst handing over the wooden spoon to North Melbourne. As much as one can dream, the Tigers should do it with some ease come Saturday as they look to hold onto a top four spot.

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Dustin Martin of the Tigers runs with the ball during the 2017 AFL Grand Final match between the Adelaide Crows and the Richmond Tigers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 30, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Brisbane vs. Carlton

You would like to think the Blues have one more match left in them following the retirement of classy veteran Kade Simpson. The Lions have plenty to play for however, with the minor premiership still up for grabs if Port Adelaide fall to Collingwood on Monday. This game will be closer than it should, the Blues will give their all for a club great but the Lions will collect four points and put plenty of pressure on the power.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 04: Lachie Plowman of the Blues handballs away from Daniel Rich of the Lions during the round 11 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Brisbane Lions at Etihad Stadium on June 4, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Hawthorn vs. Gold Coast

Not the greatest game at first glance, but the Hawks will farewell skipper Ben Stratton and forward Paul Puopolo on Sunday after the pair played a hand in the clubโ€™s three-peat dynasty. As for the game itself, its not the most promising encounter, but it could certainly serve up something special. The Suns were disappointing against Collingwood and will look to end their rollercoaster season on a high. Tipping the Suns, but only just.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 18: David Swallow of the Suns and Shaun Burgoyne of the Hawks during the 2019 AFL round 22 match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Gold Coast Suns at Marvel Stadium on August 18, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Sydney vs. Geelong

The Cats will go in as clear favourites but donโ€™t be surprised if they get through the four quarters by the skin of their teeth. The young Swans group will look to cause as much upset in the top four as they can from their bottom four spot. The cats will need a win to secure a top three finish, with a loss having them fall as low as fifth and playing a danger game against Collingwood. The Cats should win, but it wont be a walk in the park.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 05: Robbie Fox of the Swans kicks during the round 16 AFL match between the Sydney Swans and the Geelong Cats at Sydney Cricket Ground on July 5, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Fremantle vs. Western Bulldogs

The Dockers have been major players in this frenzy to make the top eight, despite hardly being in contention for a finals place. The Dockers have given headaches to Melbourne, St Kilda and Collingwood this year and will look to do the same for the Doggies in round 18. The Bulldogs will have a tough task on their hands to surpass the Dockersโ€™ defence but you would think their midfield guns will matchup nicely in the engine room. Another tight contest and one to watch for the neutral.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 27: Tim English of the Bulldogs and Rory Lobb of the Dockers contest the ruck during the round 6 AFL match between Fremantle and the Western Bulldogs at Optus Stadium on April 27, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Collingwood vs. Port Adelaide

A win for the Magpies and they could have a โ€˜homeโ€™ game in the first round of finals. A loss and they could be facing the Eagles at Optus Stadium. While they face the ladder leaders in Port Adelaide, the Magpies will stand a great shout to spoil the South Australians minor premiership parade. For Port, they should match up quite well against the Magpies and use their run and spread to pencil in a 14th win of the season. Port to win, but its certainly no certainty.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 03: Scott Pendlebury of the Magpies handballs during the round seven AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Port Adelaide Power at Marvel Stadium on May 03, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)