Seven positions in the top eight can change depending on results in Round 23

KEN Hinkley hasn’t given up on playing finals and Port Adelaide could be in the top eight tonight. Can they stay there? See how almost every position could change and where your club stands.

Tom Hawkins and Geelong will play finals with a win against Gold Coast. Picture: AAP

KEN Hinkley believes in miracles.

The Port Adelaide coach says he hasn’t given up on playing finals, and amazing the Power is likely to sit in the top eight tonight. The problem is they need a miracle to stay there.

“We’re in the fight,” Hinkley said.

“We’re going to continue to fight really hard.”

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With one round to go Richmond is locked into top spot but every other position in the top eight can change.

Veteran footy number cruncher MAURICE GAUL reveals how close the race is and

for seven positions in the eight, and a single goal could shape the top four.

1. RICHMOND

68 138.3%

Certain finish: 1st

v Western Bulldogs (13th), MCG, Saturday 2.10pm

If the Tigers win

1st

If they lose

1st

Josh Caddy and Richmond have locked in top spot. Picture: Getty Images

2. WEST COAST

60 120.8%

Possible finish: 2, 3, 4

v Brisbane Lions (15th), Gabba, Sunday 1.10pm

If they win

2

If they lose

2 — If Fremantle def Collingwood PLUS Sydney def Hawthorn, or Hawthorn wins but its winning margin and West Coast’s losing margin total less than 5 points

3 — If only one of these two scenarios occurs

4 — If Collingwood def Fremantle PLUS Hawthorn def Sydney, and Hawthorn’s winning margin and West Coast’s losing margin total at least 5 points

3. COLLINGWOOD

56 120.7%

Possible finish: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

v Fremantle (14th), Perth Stadium, Saturday 4.35pm

If they win

2 — if Brisbane Lions def West Coast PLUS Sydney def Hawthorn, or Hawthorn wins but its winning margin is not 4 points better (if Collingwood wins by 1-20 points) or even just 3 points better (if Collingwood wins by more than 20 points) than Collingwood’s winning margin

3 — If only one of these two scenarios occurs

4 — If West Coast def Brisbane Lions PLUS Hawthorn def Sydney with Hawthorn’s winning margin at least 4 points better (if Collingwood wins by 1-20 points) or even just 3 points better (if Collingwood wins by more than 20 points) than Collingwood’s winning margin

If they lose

5 — If Hawthorn def Sydney, or Sydney wins but Collingwood’s losing margin is not at least 4 points more than Hawthorn’s losing margin

6 — If Sydney def Hawthorn and Collingwood’s losing margin is at least 4 points more than Hawthorn’s losing margin

Jordan De Goey’s Collingwood must win to stay in the top four. Picture: Getty Images

4. HAWTHORN

56 120.5%

Possible finish: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

v Sydney (5th), SCG, Saturday, 7.25pm

If they win

2 — If Brisbane Lions def West Coast, and West Coast’s losing margin and Hawthorn’s winning margin total at least 5 points PLUS Fremantle def Collingwood, or Collingwood wins but Hawthorn’s winning margin is at least 4 points better (if Collingwood wins by 1-20 points) or even just 3 points better (if Collingwood wins by more than 20 points) than Collingwood’s winning margin

3 — If only one of the above two scenarios occurs

4 — If West Coast def Brisbane, or Brisbane wins and West Coast’s losing margin and Hawthorn’s winning margin total less than 5 points PLUS Collingwood def Fremantle, and Hawthorn’s winning margin is not at least 4 points better (if Collingwood wins by 1-20 points) or even just 3 points better (if Collingwood wins by more than 20 points) than Collingwood’s winning margin

If they lose

5 — If Fremantle def Collingwood, and Collingwood’s losing margin is at least 4 points greater (if Collingwood wins by 1-20 points) or even just 3 points greater (if Collingwood wins by more than 20 points) than Hawthorn’s losing margin

6 — If Collingwood def Fremantle, or Fremantle wins but Collingwood’s losing margin is not at least 4 points (if Collingwood wins by 1-20 points) or even just 3 points greater than

Hawthorn’s losing margin

Hawthorn and Ben Stratton can finish as high as second if results go their way. Picture: Getty Images

5. SYDNEY

56 110.6%

Possible finish: 3, 4, 6

v Hawthorn (4th), SCG, Saturday, 7.25pm

If they win

3 — If Fremantle def Collingwood

4 — If Collingwood def Fremantle

If they lose

6

6. GWS GIANTS

54 118.1%

Possible finish: 4, 5, 7

v Melbourne (7th), MCG, Sunday, 3.20pm

If they win

4 — If Fremantle def Collingwood

5 — If Collingwood def Fremantle

If they lose

7

7. MELBOURNE

52 129.8%

Possible finish: 4, 5, 7, 8

v GWS Giants (6th), MCG, Sunday, 3.20pm

If they win

4 — If Fremantle def Collingwood

5 — If Collingwood def Fremantle

If they lose

7 — If Gold Coast def Geelong, or Geelong wins but its winning margin and Melbourne’s losing margin total less than 61 points

8 — If Geelong def Gold Coast and its winning margin and Melbourne’s losing margin total at least 61 points

Tom McDonald and Melbourne can still secure the double chance. Picture: Getty Images

8. GEELONG

48 125.7%

Possible finish: 7 8 9 10

v Gold Coast (17th), GMHBA Stadium, Saturday, 1.45pm

If they win

7 — If GWS Giants def Melbourne, and Melbourne’s losing margin and Geelong’s winning margin total at least 61 points

8 — If Melbourne def GWS Giants, or GWS Giants win but Melbourne’s losing margin and Geelong’s winning margin total less than 61 points

If they lose

8 — If Essendon def Port Adelaide PLUS St Kilda def North Melbourne, or North Melbourne wins but its winning margin and Geelong’s losing margin total less than 259 points

9 — If Port Adelaide def Essendon OR North Melbourne def St Kilda, and North Melbourne’s winning margin and Geelong’s losing margin total more than 259 points

10 — If both the above scenarios occur

9. PORT ADELAIDE

48 109.6%

Possible finish: 8 9 10 11

v Essendon (11th), Adelaide Oval, Friday, 7.50pm

If they win

8 — If Gold Coast def Geelong

9 — If Geelong def Gold Coast

If they lose

9 or lower

10. NORTH MELBOURNE

44 108.1%

Possible finish: 8 9 10 11 12

v St Kilda (16th), Etihad Stadium, Sunday, 4.40pm

If they win

8 — If Essendon def Port Adelaide PLUS Gold Coast def Geelong, and Geelong’s losing margin and North Melbourne’s winning margin total at least 259 points

9 or lower — unless both these two scenarios occur

If they lose

10 or lower

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Originally published as Seven positions in the top eight can change depending on results in Round 23