SPORTS DAY: Who will survive?

THE race for the AFL's top eight is heating up as September hopefuls approach the business end of the season. We ask who should be the flag favourites.

AFL

THE race for the AFL's top eight is heating up as September hopefuls approach the business end of the season. We ask who should be the flag favourites.

ALASTAIR LYNCH

Triple premiership player with Brisbane.

I've been tipping Hawthorn since the pre-season and I'm going to stick with the Hawks. They need to get Luke Hodge back. His run of injuries has been a real concern. It was thought that he would be back well before finals, but he has been out for a while now and they definitely need him in there. Buddy is going to have a few weeks off but he'll be back well before the finals and we know what he can do. Collingwood have the best list in the competition and they will be in the mix if they can put their best possible side on the field. They have had a few injuries, which has tested them, but they have the best depth in the comp. It might sound strange after talking up Hawthorn and Collingwood but I reckon West Coast will be one of the grand final teams. If they finish in the top two, the Eagles would most likely play all of their finals in Perth and would not have to travel to Melbourne until grand final week. That's a big advantage. The bolter could be Geelong, even though they will probably finish in the bottom part of the top eight. You wouldn't want to run into them in the first couple of weeks of the finals. Anything could happen. 

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GUY MCKENNA

Suns senior coach and two-time West Coast premiership player

I think I have to say Collingwood. They have been going along pretty well and got themselves to where they are despite some major injuries, which shows their depth. They get a few more back too. The likes of Scott Pendlebury, Chris Tarrant, Nathan Brown and Alan Didak would make the side stronger. They are a good side, they've been there before. Hawthorn are the other one. They are a pretty strong side and will get Luke Hodge back, which will be a huge boost. I think that is probably the grand final right there. Sydney and West Coast are going nicely but the chances are they play each other and because of how brutal their games have traditionally been, they are likely to be vulnerable the following week.

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MARCUS ASHCROFT

Triple premiership player with Brisbane

Collingwood would be the team to beat. People have short memories. They won 10 in a row and lost their 11th, and all of a sudden everyone drops off them. They've got some good players to come back. Scott Pendlebury didn't play against Carlton, so I wouldn't be writing them off. The other would be Hawthorn. They'd be my main two. Outside of them, the interstate teams could take some beating in the finals. West Coast and Sydney could potentially have two home finals. That's a big advantage. If Melbourne teams have to travel to Perth, that's a massive ask.

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JASON AKERMANIS

Triple premiership player with Brisbane.

I still think Collingwood are (favourites) but it should be a great finals series because there a few good teams. I think West Coast are capable of having Collingwood's measure and Hawthorn are also a very good side. Then there's the Swans, who are dark horses that no one seems to want to rate, but who I think are a really good side. So there are a few good sides there, but the Pies have a real depth of talent. Their only problem is the Cloke issue, which is a bit of a distraction, but once they sort that out I think they will be right.

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PEARCE HANLEY

Brisbane Lions utility

I'm not sure there's a clear favourite. Collingwood looked on target but there's a number of teams who've put their hands up. Collingwood, Adelaide, West Coast ... there's not that much between them. They're all great teams, and I couldn't say there's a benchmark. It used to be Geelong but it's evened out a bit. Sydney are as good a side as we've played.