TEN CRUCIAL GAMES THAT WILL DECIDE THE AFL FINALISTS
ROUND 21
* Port Adelaide v Sydney. A Port win will be particularly sweet as they’ll likely find themselves in the top eight by round’s end should Adelaide lose to West Coast.
* Essendon v Western Bulldogs. The Dogs have no room for error, with three remaining games against teams higher on the ladder (Essendon, GWS and Adelaide). A Bombers win will confirm their finals spot.
* West Coast v Adelaide. The Eagles are eying top spot and precious double-chance in the finals, and they’ll be raging favourites to down the Crows, who will probably slide out of the top eight with a loss.
ROUND 22
* Brisbane v Geelong. Could potentially settle the top-two aspirations for both clubs, with the winner in the box seat to earn a coveted home final.
* Adelaide v Collingwood. The Crows’ last home game could well determine their finals fate, while also impacting on Collingwood’s top-four chances.
* Richmond v West Coast. Like the Lions-Cats clash, this fixture will have huge implications on how high the clubs can finish near the top of the ladder.
* GWS v Western Bulldogs. The Giants could officially end the Bulldogs’ finals chances with a win, but lose and their top-four ambitions will be cruelled.
ROUND 23
* Collingwood v Essendon. The outcome has a massive bearing on where they’ll finish – and they could conceivably meet again in a blockbuster elimination final.
* Western Bulldogs v Adelaide. Looms as an elimination final come early for the Crows, who are likely to have to win this Ballarat encounter to make the playoffs.
* Richmond v Brisbane. Could decide ground advantage in week one of the finals. Will also serve as invaluable MCG experience for the Lions ahead of September.