We look at your club's run home with just eight weeks to go and who will reach the top eight
WE look at each club's run home and assess their premiership chances. PICK YOUR FLAG FANCY
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THE season is fast approaching the business end but 12 teams are still in the hunt for September.
We look at each club's run home and where they will likely finish after round 22.
Despite the loss to Geelong, Hawthorn continue to be premiership favourites and face a tricky run home while five teams are fighting it out just to make the eight.
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HAWTHORN
Currently: 1st (12-2)
Run home: Port Adelaide (A), Bulldogs (H), Essendon (A), Richmond (H), St Kilda (A), Collingwood (H), Nth Melbourne (A), Sydney (A)
Story so far: Two losses to arch-rival Geelong is the only thing to have blighted the Hawks season. Like all good teams, Hawthorn has won games when not going at 100 per cent and looked a cut above when in top gear. The Lance Franklin contract saga continues to hang over the club while the loss of defenders Matt Suckling, Ryan Schoenmakers and Grant Birchall has left a major hole. On a positive note, Brian Lake seems to be back at his All Australian best and Jarryd Roughead is playing career-best football.
We say: A couple of tricky games to come against Essendon, Richmond and Collingwood while a final-round encounter against Sydney could decide who wins the minor premiership. The Hawks have the quality to win every game on the run home.
Predicted finish: 1st (19-3)
GEELONG
Currently: 2nd (12-2)
Run home: Melbourne (H), Adelaide (A), St Kilda (H), Nth Melbourne (A), Port Adelaide (H), West Coast (A), Sydney (H), Brisbane Lions (H)
Story so far: The Cats looked renewed after an elimination final exit in 2012. A young and exciting group have developed under Chris Scott and kept the club in the premiership fight. Scarily for opposition teams, the Cats still have the likes of Steve Johnson, Paul Chapman, Jared Rivers, Travis Varcoe and Billie Smedts waiting in the wings. The forward duo of Mathew Stokes and Steve Motlop have taken their games to a new level while in defence Harry Taylor and Tom Lonergan are in fine form.
We say: Superstitious folk would say the Cats are certainties for the title after wins in 2007, 2009 and 2011. They've got a run home that will assist them in their goal to win a fourth premiership with five games at Simonds Stadium (including the last two).
Predicted finish: 2nd (19-3)
ESSENDON
Currently: 3rd (11-3)
Run home: Bulldogs (A), GWS Giants (A), Hawthorn (H), Collingwood (A), West Coast (H), Nth Melbourne (H), Carlton (A), Richmond (H)
Story so far: Essedon have held up amazingly well under the pressure of an ASADA-AFL drug investigation. Emotional wins over West Coast and Fremantle (both in Perth) are highlights of the season while Jobe Watson continues to lead the way. Despite Watson's injury, the Bombers still look strong and the skipper will return in time for the final few games. A lot hinges on the continued red-hot form of defenders Jake Carlisle and Cale Hooker while youngster Joe Daniher is the club's X-factor.
We say: A lot depends on the outcome of the ASADA investigation, which is due in August, and possible penalities handed out by the AFL. If the Bombers react the way they did after Watson's drug admission, there shouldn't be any hiccups on the run home.
Predicted finish: 3rd (18-4)
SYDNEY
Currently: 4th (10-3-1)
Run home: GWS Giants (H), West Coast (A), Richmond (H), Bulldogs (A), Collingwood (H), St Kilda (H), Geelong (A), Hawthorn (H)
Story so far: The reigning premiers are once again travelling under the radar. The Swans are winning with minimal fuss but do have some injury concerns as Sam Reid, Adam Goodes, Rhyce Shaw, Lewis Robert-Thomson and Lewis Jetta are on the sidelines. This has been off-set by Daniel Hannebury's rise as a midfield star who is now in Brownlow Medal calculations and the addition of Kurt Tippett into what is already a dangerous attack. Mike Pyke's season has also been a pleasant surprise.
We say: John Longmire's men face a tricky run home with home games against Richmond, Collingwood and Hawthorn as well as trips to Perth (West Coast) and Geelong. If the Swans hold their form they will finish in the top four and anything can happen from there.
Predicted finish: 4rd (17-4-1)
FREMANTLE
Currently: 5th (10-3-1)
Run home: West Coast (A), Richmond (A), Adelaide (H), Carlton (A), GWS Giants (H), Melbourne (A), Port Adelaide (H), St Kilda (A)
Story so far: Another season under Ross Lyon has seen the Dockers continue to improve their uber-defensive strategy and slowly choke opposition teams into submission. Fremantle sit fifth and have only tasted defeat against teams above them as well as a draw against Sydney, showing they win the games they're meant to. The return of Matthew Pavlich and Aaron Sandilands against St Kilda was a major boost to their top-four hopes.
We say: Fremantle will look at their run home and be thinking "top-four finish". They face only two top-eight teams in the final eight games but do face a Derby showdown with West Coast and also travel to Melbourne for a clash with Carlton.
Predicted finish: 5th (17-4-1)
RICHMOND
Currently: 6th (9-5)
Run home: Gold Coast (H), Fremantle (H), Sydney (A), Hawthorn (A), Brisbane Lions (H), Carlton (H), GWS Giants (A), Essendon (A)
Story so far: Richmond have been trying to keep a lid on expectations all season - for the past three years, in all honesty - and finally seem to be set for September action. Trent Cotchin, Brett Deledio and Jack Riewoldt continue to deliver but it is the likes of Shane Edwards, Brandon Ellis and Tyrone Vickery have taken the club to another level. The only knock on the Tigers is they've failed to beat a team above them on the ladder and will need one big scalp to stamp their ticket to the finals.
We say: The first test comes this week against Gold Coast in Cairns. The "home game" has been a stumbling point for two years now. It doesn't get any easier from there with Fremantle, Sydney and Hawthorn waiting in consecutive weeks. A final round clash against Essendon will be crucial.
Predicted finish: 7th (14-8)
COLLINGWOOD
Currently: 7th (9-5)
Run home: Adelaide (H), Gold Coast (A), GWS Giants (H), Essendon (H), Sydney (A), Hawthorn (A), West Coast (H), Nth Melbourne (H)
Story so far: Drama seems to follow the Magpies. Since Dayne Beams's mystery injury on the eve of round one the club has rarely been out of the news. The ongoing conjecture over Nathan Buckley, Eddie McGuire's racial stumble and Harry O'Brien's recent issues are just a selection of the issues surrounding Collingwood. On the field, the players are holding up well and showed what they're capable of in the round 15 win over Carlton. Scott Pendlebury continues to be a shining light in the midfield.
We say: The Magpies face a tough run home with games against Essendon, Sydney and Hawthorn to come. The return of Beams will be a massive boost to the club and should improve the supply to Travis Cloke. If Ben Reid can stay forward the Magpies will be a wildcard come September.
Predicted finish: 6th (14-8)
PORT ADELAIDE
Currently: 8th (8-6)
Run home: Hawthorn (H), St Kilda (A), Brisbane Lions (H), Adelaide Crows (A), Geelong (A), Gold Coast (H), Fremantle (A), Carlton (H)
Story so far: Without a doubt the season's surprise packet. After a tumultuous 2012, the Power have produced an outstanding season and leapfrogged pre-season premiership fancies Adelaide and West Coast. Under the leadership of David Koch, Ken Hinkley and Travis Boak the club has gone from strength to strength and showcased elite young talents in Ollie Wines, Jake Neade and Chad Wingard. The improvement in Hamish Harlett, Justin Westhoff and Boak is another big plus.
We say: There's no reason the Power can't return to the finals for the first time since that disastrous 2007 grand final loss. Port face tough matches against Hawthorn, Geelong and Fremantle but could still win more than they lose.
Predicted finish: 8th (12-10)
WEST COAST
Currently: 9th (7-7)
Run home: Fremantle (H), Sydney (H), Bulldogs (A), Gold Coast (H), Essendon (A), Geelong (H), Collingwood (A), Adelaide Crows (H)
Story so far: Several losses at the so-called "House of Pain" was not the way to start a season, when many pundits predicted an Eagles premiership. Injuries to key players have not helped John Worsfold's cause with Nic Naitanui, Scott Selwood and Beau Waters spending time on the sidelines. The improvement in former No.3 draft pick Chris Masten has been one plus for the Eagles. A tight win over Adelaide in round 14 might just be the tonic to launch a late finals push.
We say: The bad losses at the start of the season have come back to haunt the Eagles with a tough road home. On the horizon waits five top-eight teams as well as Adelaide. Port Adelaide aren't guaranteed a top-eight finish and West Coast are best placed to take advantage.
Predicted finish: 9th (11-11)
NORTH MELBOURNE
Currently: 10th (6-8)
Run home: Brisbane Lions (A), Carlton (H), Melbourne (A), Geelong (H), Adelaide Crows (A), Essendon (A), Hawthorn (H), Collingwood (A)
Story so far: Call it unlucky or call it bad leadership but the Kangaroos have failed to win when seemingly in control. Geelong in round two and Adelaide in round nine highlight a year of "what could have been". The Roos' win over Richmond proved what the club is capable of and kept their slim finals hopes alive. Brent Harvey has been superb since his return from a six-game suspension and Todd Goldstein is the frontrunner for All Australian but few others have stood up under pressure.
We say: The next few weeks look positive for North Melbourne but fans won't like what waits in the final five weeks. The Cats, Crows, Bombers, Hawks and Magpies loom on the horizon and that is likely to end any hopes Brad Scott had of back-to-back finals appearances.
Predicted finish: 12th (9-13)
CARLTON
Currently: 11th (6-8)
Run home: St Kilda (H), Nth Melbourne (A), Gold Coast (A), Fremantle (H), Bulldogs (H), Richmond (A), Essendon (H), Port Adelaide (A)
Story so far: A lot has been made of the Blues apparent lack of improvement after replacing Brett Ratten with Mick Malthouse. However, the Blues have made leaps in important areas and the adjustment to a new coach and gameplan can be tricky. Carlton fans haven't been the most patient over the years but like Geelong in 2006, a year of pain is sometimes the catalyst for a bright future. Jarrad Waite continues to be a talisman for the club ... if only he could stay fit.
We say: While the Blues are still a mathematical possibility, it is hard to see them jumping over West Coast and Port Adelaide. Malthouse's men have six winnable games and will need every one of them to make a finals charge. Marc Murphy's return from a facial injury will be a key to the team's hopes.
Predicted finish: 10th (9-13)
ADELAIDE
Currently: 12th (6-8)
Run home: Collingwood (A), Geelong (H), Fremantle (A), Port Adelaide (H), Nth Melbourne (H), Bulldogs (A), Melbourne (H), West Coast (A)
Story so far: A season full of promise is on the brink. After coming within a kick of reaching the 2012 grand final, the Crows have been arguably the biggest disappointment. Injuries to Taylor Walker and the departure of Kurt Tippett severely depleted the team's attack and Sam Jacobs' form issues curtailed the midfield's ability to get first hands on the ball. Patrick Dangerfield has been a shining light for the club and is already being touted as a club great.
We say: The Crows season goes on the line in the next three weeks with the Magpies, Cats and Dockers on deck. It gets easier from there and gives the Crows a chance to finish 2013 strongly and move into 2014 with a lot of confidence.
Predicted finish: 11th (9-13)
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