Full AFL form ladder: Whos’ coming home with a wet sail in finals race

The Western Bulldogs’ 2016 flag proved timing is everything in footy – but they’re leaving their run late this year. See who’s running hot over the past month – and who needs to lift.

The Friday night blockbuster at Adelaide Oval is set to feature two of the most in-form sides in the AFL.

Adelaide will host Hawthorn in what is shaping to be a finals-defining clash as the Crows chase a home qualifying final and the Hawks battle to remain inside the top 8.

Adelaide is one of just two teams that are 4-0 in the past month of footy, joined by GWS, who will face the Bulldogs.

But the Hawks aren’t far off the Crows, sitting 3-1 in the past month as they close in on a finals berth.

Hawthorn knows it must win at least two games in the final four to secure a finals spot, with just one win likely to mean the Hawks would finish ninth.

The Crows have been in red-hot form this season. Picture: James Elsby/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Midfield star Will Day, who last week made his long-awaited return after a significant foot injury, said the Hawks were ready for the contest.

“We do think everything is coming together, a few things have come into place at the right time of year and we see this game especially as a really big one that can set us up,” he said on AFL 360 on Tuesday night.

“We know they are in red-hot form, especially playing at Adelaide Oval, they go pretty well.”

At the other end of the spectrum, the Bombers are battling with North Melbourne and West Coast as the winless sides across the past month.

Essendon has gone 0-2 against both the top eight and the bottom 10, but have won a league low three quarters out of 16.

Will Day takes a hanger last week against the Blues. Picture: Michael Klein

Roos midfielder Harry Sheezel said the club was hurting after a 101-point demolition at the hands of Geelong last week.

“It’s definitely not fun when you’re walking off the ground after a 100-point (loss),” he said on AFL 360.

“You’re not really prepared for this coming into the AFL, you don’t really ever want this to happen or think that it is going to happen, ultimately that’s the position we’re in.

“It is a frustrating position, but we are doing everything and working so hard to try and turn it around.”

Originally published as Full AFL form ladder: Whos’ coming home with a wet sail in finals race