What your side has to do to play finals?

Published by
Stephen Marson

Just two rounds remain, but as it stands, six teams are currently fighting it out for the final two spots in the top eight.

Melbourne and West Coast are the two sides who currently hold those positions, although the Western Bulldogs, Essendon, St Kilda and Hawthorn are all still very much players in the race for September football.

Here is the ladder as it stands at the end of round 21.

For some teams, it's as simple as winning your final two games, while for other sides, they'll need a lot to go their way.

While it can be a little difficult to work out what every side needs to happen, we've worked out the exact scenarios that must take play for your side to play in September!

Melbourne

  • Beat Brisbane and Collingwood

The Demons have the easiest task out of all of the teams vying for the final two spots in the eight.

All they need to do is beat Brisbane and Collingwood - two teams who have been poor for the majority of the season - and they'll be in their first finals series since 2006.

Prediction: 7th

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 13: (L-R) Jake Melksham, Mitch Hannan and Alex Neal-Bullen of the Demons celebrate during the 2017 AFL round 21 match between the Melbourne Demons and the St Kilda Saints at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 13, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

West Coast

  • Beat GWS and Adelaide

Adam Simpson's men could struggle here. They've got to face the two best teams in the competition over the final two weeks, and that starts with a red-hot Giants at Spotless Stadium.

Should the Eagles win their last two matches they'll certainly have deserved a spot in September, but they've been too inconsistent all season long, which makes us believe they'll drop one of these games and miss out.

Prediction: 10th

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 12: Josh Kennedy of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 21 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Carlton Blues at Domain Stadium on August 12, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Western Bulldogs

  • Beat Port Adelaide and Hawthorn
  • Hope either West Coast or Melbourne lose at least one of their games

With two spots up for grabs and the Bulldogs one of three sides on 44 points, they'll be relying on West Coast to drop at least one game, given the Demons should do enough to play in September.

They can't just count their next two matches as wins however, with both Port Adelaide and Hawthorn presenting very tough challenges.

They certainly aren't a lock to win both of those games, and if you're asking us, they might not win either.

Prediction: 11th

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 16: Jason Johannisen of the Bulldogs is congratulated by Bailey Dale after kicking a goal during the round 17 AFL match between the Carlton Blues and the Western Bulldogs at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 16, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Essendon

  • Beat Gold Coast and Fremantle
  • Melbourne, West Coast and Western Bulldogs all have to lose at least one of their final games, and possibly both

Despite being a game behind the three sides above them, the Bombers surprisingly probably have the easiest run.

The Suns and Dockers are both playing very poor football at the moment, so Essendon should have no problem accounting for both those sides.

With our predictions of the Eagles and Bulldogs both losing at least one game, the Bombers could stroll into September on the back of two wins.

Prediction: 8th

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 05: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti of the Bombers celebrates a goal during the 2017 AFL round 20 match between the Essendon Bombers and the Carlton Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on August 05, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Media/Getty Images)

St Kilda

  • Beat North Melbourne and Richmond
  • Essendon, Western Bulldogs and West Coast must lose both games

Given the Saints' poor percentage, they are really going to struggle to make the eight.

They must ensure three teams above them lose both of their remaining matches, but before any of that comes into play, they'll have to beat both North Melbourne and Richmond, and that isn't certain the way they've played all season.

Prediction: 12th

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - AUGUST 06: Jack Billings of the Saints celebrates his matching winning goal during the round 20 AFL match between the St Kilda Saints and the West Coast Eagles at Etihad Stadium on August 6, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/AFL Media/Getty Images)

Hawthorn

  • Beat Carlton and Western Bulldogs
  • West Coast and Western Bulldogs must lose both games
  • Essendon must lose at least one game
  • St Kilda must lose at least one game

Despite having the longest list of requirements, the Hawks are probably a better chance for the finals ahead of St Kilda.

They need to beat Carlton and the Bulldogs (which they certainly can do on current form) and hope the Eagles and Dogs lose both their games.

Needing the Bombers to drop one from their two easy games will be the road block for the Hawks, but if Essendon do somehow slip up, Hawthorn could find themselves playing September football.

Prediction: 9th

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA - JULY 02: Shaun Burgoyne of the Hawks celebrates after kicking a goal with Jack Gunston of the Hawks during the round 15 AFL match between the Hawthorn Hawks and the Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 2, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/AFL Media/Getty Images)
Published by
Stephen Marson