Which clubs have the toughest and which have the softest runs to the finals in 2018?
YOU won’t believe Richmond’s soft run home while the Kangaroos could pull off a miracle finals berth with the easiest draw from here, according to Champion Data. SEE WHERE YOUR CLUB RATES
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NORTH Melbourne could book a remarkable finals berth with the help of the AFL’s easiest draw in the second half of the season.
Bolstering Kangaroos fans’ hopes of a miracle September appearance, North plays seven games against current bottom-six sides after its Round 13 bye.
And Richmond is in the box seat to secure a top-two spot in its premiership defence with the third-softest draw starting with Saturday’s clash against St Kilda.
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The Tigers play only one current top-eight side (Geelong) in the last seven rounds.
But the Western Bulldogs face a huge challenge to rise up the ladder with Luke Beveridge’s men confronting the toughest run home, according to Champion Data.
Nine of the Bulldogs’ last 12 games are against current top-eight sides.
Things could also get worse for the Saints as they try to arrest an horrendous form slump.
St Kilda has the third-toughest fixture as it takes on top-five sides Richmond, West Coast, Sydney and Melbourne between Rounds 9-15.
The Kangaroos have been one of the two biggest surprise packets this season, defying expectations the rebuilding club would finish bottom four in 2018.
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Hawthorn champion Dermott Brereton, coaching legend Michael Malthouse and dual North Melbourne premiership player David King all tipped the Roos to collect the wooden spoon.
They are the least experienced and third-youngest list in the league this year and declared their intention to rebuild as fast as possible after moving on five veterans at the end of 2016.
But Brad Scott’s troops have surged up the ladder with surprise wins over Hawthorn, Sydney and Greater Western Sydney and can consolidate a top-eight spot with another upset victory against Fremantle in Perth tonight.
The Kangas tackle only two current top-four teams for the rest of the year — West Coast in Round 19 in Hobart and Adelaide at Adelaide Oval in Round 22.
The Kangaroos have turned Blundstone Arena into a fortress, winning 14 of their 17 matches at the Hobart venue.
Subsequently, the Roos’ odds of making finals this year have been slashed, with the Kangaroos storming in from $9 to $2.25 (with TAB) to secure an unexpected September spot.
Hawthorn should also come home with a wet sail. Alastair Clarkson’s men confront only three current top-eight sides in the last 11 rounds.
THE RUN HOME
Your club’s fixture difficulty ranking (from Round 10).
Rest of season rank (1 = most difficult; 18 = least difficult)
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Originally published as Which clubs have the toughest and which have the softest runs to the finals in 2018?
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