The pointy end of the season is coming up. The last few weeks of the regular season where every team is giving it their all, week in week out. Every side is trying to finish as high in the standings as possible, attempting to make finals and gain a home ground advantage.
However, that's not all. The coach doesn't walk in and simply tell the players "we want to make finals", each team has specific goals tailored to the way they play game in order to make it as far as possible in the competition. We're going to look at every team's situation and dissect what they want to do and what they need to do in order to hoist that cup at the end of the season.
It's been more so a roller-coaster year for the Crows than any other team in the AFL this season. Coming off a grand final loss, the injuries they faced throughout the year were just too much too overcome. Unfortunately, the competition has simply been too good this season and the Crows' finals chances are decreasing week by week.
Although they still aim to make the finals, a more realistic goal for the Crows is to try and play well enough to bring Rory Sloane back in the offseason. Many quality players will be returning soon for the Crows, and although their schedule is very tough from here on, a competitive side may be able to entice the star midfielder to sign on.
Brisbane are not making the finals. They've sat at the bottom end of the ladder for the entire season, however that doesn't mean they throw the season away. With nothing to lose, this gives Chris Fagan the opportunity to test new game plans and strategies against elite competition.
It can't be argued that some of the players the Lions would have wanted to take a leap forward didn't this season. With such a young team, every game is vital in the development of the players. A key forward like Eric Hipwood can be used in so many different ways until the coaching staff finds the right fit for the team. So, no, the Lions won't make finals, but they'll look to spend the last weeks of the season on developing their young talent.
Unfortunately, the once great club is currently in a rough patch; A very very long rough patch. Although they've seen some positive signs from their young talent, the Blues haven't been able to string together consistently effective four quarter games all season. They won't be playing for finals but they're definitely playing to pick up another win.
A team hasn't won only one game since GWS' inaugural season in 2013. There are suggestions that the Blues should tank for the rest of the season but it's hard to see the players and coaching staff throwing games away. The Blues will have the goal to play competitive in the rest of their games and look to build on a strategy that they can apply next year as they make a push for the finals.
At the beginning of the season Collingwood's goal was to help Nathan Buckley keep his job and make a push for the finals. Now however, the Pies can genuinely say their goal is to win the premiership and they cannot be laughed at. Currently sitting second on the ladder, the Pies have exceeded all expectations and look make a deep run into the finals.
Injuries have bothered the Pies however with crucial pieces going down including Adam Treloar and Lynden Dunn. Dunn's out for the year but the Pies will do everything possible to have Treloar back and ready for the finals. It's hard to match any other team with the Pies when it comes to belief and stringing together strong performances, so the Pies definitely have the goal of winning it all in mind.
Only a game out of the eight, the Bombers will definitely have making the finals as their number one goal. In recent weeks, the Bomber have decimated their opponents with their running game. Led by Adam Saad and Conor Mckenna off half back, the Bombers will look to perfect their style of play in order to tire out their opposition.
The Bombers have been without key forward Joe Daniher since round 7. He is out for another six weeks with a groin injury, as the Bombers will look to insert him into the team and have him ready for finals but it's hard to assess whether he'll be ready or not. Definitely another goal for the Bombers to ensure their best 22 is fit for finals footy.
The Dockers have struggled all season and don't look to improve on their woes anytime soon. With former Brownlow Medalist Nat Fyfe missing up to four weeks of football, the Dockers can only hope they remain competitive in their upcoming matches and use them to develop their youngsters.
They'll look to create a game plan they can build on next season following their moves made in the draft and during free agency period.
At the beginning of the season it was to put together a game plan which best uses Gary Ablett Jr., Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield; 15 rounds in, it's the same goal. Chris Scott needs to figure out how best to utilise three of the most dominant midfielders in the game.
The Cats have disappointed this season and what was once looked at as a certainty to make the finals is now not as clear cut. There's no doubt that Geelong have the talent to match-up with the league's best teams, they just don't have the game plan to. Chris Scott and the coaching staff will like to use the next few weeks to figure out the best way to play teams come finals time.
The Suns are another team struggling with no real goals to work on for this season. They cannot make the finals and want a higher draft pick, but they don't want to lose games. At the start of the season the Suns were playing to keep Tom Lynch at the club, now it seems he's all but gone.
Much like the rest of the bottom five sides, the Suns will look to develop their youngsters and build on a game plan as they look to make a stronger run next season.
The Giants have pushed through many obstacles throughout the season. Missing players due to suspension and injury is what cause this very promising team to be mid-table fighting weekly to secure a spot in the top 8. The Giants however, with the list they have, they'll look to make it further than just a team that 'scrapes into the top 8'.
With a lot of their top-tier talent including Toby Greene, Brett Deledio and Tom Scully on the sideline, the Giants will aim to have their team at full strength for a lengthy finals campaign. The Giants have made it deep into the finals the past two seasons and therefore have an idea of what needs to be done to win it all. Leon Cameron will look to build on their past performances and not only make it far into the finals this season, but attempt to win the premiership.
Only out of the eight by percentage, the Hawks' number one goal would be playing in September. With the recent retirement of small forward Cyril Rioli, and injuries to key players in Jack Gunston and Shaun Burgoyne, the Hawks will rely on experience to guide them to finals.
One key player who has made a big impact this season is Brownlow favourite Tom Mitchell. Averaging 35 disposals a game, the Hawks midfield' will be looking to be the second Mitchell to have won a Brownlow at the Hawks.
Will the Dees finally play finals? The goal for Simon Goodwin's team is to make finals for the first time since 2006. With key defender Jake Lever going down for the rest of the year, questions will be asked about their depth. Currently sitting eighth, the Demons need to make a late run to keep their spot.
From a side that won 16 quarters of football in a row to now having not won a game since Lever's injury, the Demons will rely on arguably a top five key forward in the competition at the moment, Tom McDonald, to lead the way as well as the defenders to share the work load.
The Kangaroos have been the surprise team so far this season. Currently sitting out of the eight by percentage, Brad Scott's men will look to put their foot down and make a surge into the eight in the back half of the season.
If the midfield can get on top, North look hard to stop. If the ball gets kicked to the leading goal kicker of the competition, Ben Brown, teams will struggle to beat this side.
The Power look set to play finals this year as they sit equal second in points. Known for struggling against top eight teams in past seasons, Port have beaten the reigning premiers as well as Sydney at the SCG. With eight games left of the season, the Power play five games at Adelaide Oval in which they are hard to beat over there.
Robbie Gray and Ollie Wines have been exceptional all year as well as Justin Westhoff who has played forward and defence when he has too. If Charlie Dixon can fire into form, this team will look hard to beat come finals time.
Back to Back? The Tigers will be aiming to win it all again. Sitting first by a game, the Tigers are making it look comfortable out there. With Dustin Martin not having to carry most of the work load, the club has been exciting to watch thanks to Josh Caddy and Jack Riewoldt.
Jayden Short has been a new starter from the 2017 premiership team and looks set to do well in the club's best and fairest this year. With eight games left of the season, Hardwick's team looks to make oppositions scared and create a dynasty at the Richmond Football Club.
The Saints have struggled all season and have been by far the most disappointing team so far. With expectations of playing finals, the Saints haven't copped since club legend Nick Riewoldt retired.
Alan Richardson's goal for this year is to play the youth and let them develop. Also, if they can get some confidence in the 2014 No.1 pick Paddy McCartin, the Saints will shape up better in the years to come.
The Swans are trying to make it nine consecutive years of making the eight. With Buddy Franklin looking likely to kick 900 career goals next week, and currently sitting in fourth spot, the Swans look likely of doing it. With the emergence of defender Jake Lloyd, the Swans look great defensively and even better on the counter attack.
Injuries could not of happened at a worse time for the club with Kieren Jack, Jarrad McVeigh and Dan Hannebery all set for time on the sidelines after picking up injuries against the Cats on Thursday night.
The Eagles currently sit third and it looks like they might be slipping out of the top four. With injuries to key forwards Jack Darling, and Josh Kennedy, the Eagles have lost their last three games and look like slipping down the ladder.
With a lot of talent coming back from injury, the Eagles will be looking to cause panic come finals time. Adam Simpson has to teach his men how to play away from home because it looks like the Eagles won't be playing many home finals come September.
The Doggies have come from having a remarkable 2016, to a disappointing 2018. From last game, only 11 out of the 22 players that won the 2016 premiership were playing due to injuries and form slumps. The only players who have shown more since 2016 are midfielders Marcus Bontempelli, Toby McLean and Jackson MaCrae.
Luke Beveridge's goal for the rest of they year is to play the youth. With the likes of Ed Richards and Billy Gowers playing well, they might find another up and coming star. It doesn't matter where they finish, if they can be competitive for the last eight games of the season, then the players may have confidence in the game plan in 2019.