Footy fans are in for a super Sunday to close out the AFL season, with two of the three games set to play a role in determining the finals picture.
Following last night's victory for the Greater Western Sydney Giants over the Carlton Blues by 14 points, seven of the finals spots are taken.
The make-up of the top-four has also been locked in after Port Adelaide knocked the Western Bulldogs down to fifth with a tight-two point victory on Friday. That means the Power finish second, while the Melbourne Demons' victory over Geelong means they finish first and third respectively.
The Brisbane Lions did just enough against the West Coast Eagles to sneak past the aforementioned Bulldogs into fourth for a second chance, and the Sydney Swans spot in sixth was never going to be challenged or improved despite a mammoth 87-point victory on Saturday over the Gold Coast Suns.
All of that means there is just a single spot left in the finals, with the Fremantle Dockers and Essendon Bombers the two sides in contention.
That comes thanks to losses for the Eagles, and a draw for the Richmond Tigers against the Hawthorn Hawks on Saturday afternoon, although their percentage would have needed an increase to qualify.
As it stands right now, Essendon and Fremantle are both on 40 points. The Bombers hold a monumentally large advantage in the percentage stakes though, sitting on 107.2%, compared to the Dockers' 89%.
The AFL have nicely separated the two games so fans will be able to watch every minute, with Fremantle to first play St Kilda at Blundstone Oval from 12:15pm (AEST), followed by Essendon's 3:20pm (AEST) clash against Collingwood at the MCG.
Essendon are going to know what they need to do by the time they bounce however. Fremantle have arguably the tougher of the two games, with the Saints having been in the running for the finals until they strung together a run of four losses in their last five games to go out in reverse.
The Saints' form is horrendous, but Fremantle will need to win and win well to move their percentage in the right direction and hope to put the pressure on the Bombers.
There is little chance of a complete percentage reversal however, so the ball should be in Essendon's court. Win, and they should be playing in the AFL finals. Lose, and it'll all depend on Fremantle, who will jump ahead if they win.
The qualifier of Essendon and Fremantle will face the Western Bulldogs in the opening week of the finals, a team in horrendous form, while the other elimination final will see the Swans play the Giants.
The qualifying finals will see Melbourne take on Brisbane, and Port Adelaide play Geelong.
Dates, times and venues are expected to be confirmed by the AFL this evening following the completion of Round 23.
