Finals or failure? Where did your club finish the 2017 home-and-away season

IT WAS fitting that one of the most unpredictable, exciting and bizarre seasons culminated with a pulsating fight for the finals. SEE WHERE YOUR CLUB FINISHED

Lewis Jetta and Drew Petrie celebrate a West Coast goal.

SOUND the bell, the 2017 home-and-away season is over.

It was fitting that one of the most unpredictable, exciting and bizarre seasons finished with a pulsating fight for the finals as West Coast edged out Melbourne.

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THE TACKLE: BOMBERS MOVE OUT OF THE DARKNESS

Geelong’s win over GWS on Saturday confirmed Adelaide’s minor premiership but that means little in September with only six teams since 1996 winning the premiership from top spot.

At the other end of the table, Brisbane claimed it first wooden spoon since 1998 after losing to North Melbourne and Queensland rivals Gold Coast slipped to second last.

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1. ADELAIDE (15-1-6) 136.0% 62PTS

Hardly a convincing entry into September, but as we’ve said before, it all comes down to the Texan (Taylor Walker), plus Daniel Talia comes back after we have that strange bye next week. Is the Crows midfield good enough?

2. GEELONG (15-1-6) 117.4% 62PTS

Team effort and coaching wise, the win over GWS was about as good as it gets. The Cats match-ups prevented the Giants’ spread and their inside work was stronger. Sam Menegola and Tom Stewart are examples of clever mature-age recruiting.

3. RICHMOND (15-0-7) 118.3% 60PTS

So where does the last of the Mohicans (Dustin Martin) rank for the best ever AFL seasons? Patrick Dangerfield last year, Dane Swan in 2011, Shane Crawford in 1999, Jimmy Stynes in 1991, Gordon Collis in 1964 or Alistair Lord in 1962. Now for a home final against the Cats.

4. GWS GIANTS (14-2-6) 114.9% 60PTS

The Giants had six players who had little influence, so you would expect improvement at finals time. More worrying was the amount of arguing that was clearly evident to those seated at ground level.

Charlie Dixon kicked four goals in Port Adelaide’s win.

5. PORT ADELAIDE (14-0-8) 129.7% 56PTS

Arguably the hardest side in the eight to get a read on. Love the run of Riley Bonner and as for (Dan) Houston, they don’t have a problem. How far can the Power go? You can only judge them on being unable to beat sides above them.

6. SYDNEY (14-0-8) 126.8% 56PTS

Is there anyone more exciting than Lance Franklin in full flight? Reckon he might poll mid-20s in the Brownlow Medal, not that he can catch the Dustin Martin. Who wants to play this crew in the finals? Try nobody.

7. ESSENDON (12-0-10) 106.5% 48PTS

The Bombers aren’t going to win a Grand Final but that won’t be indicative of what they have achieved. They know what they require from Santa and some outside speed would be high in their letter of desire.

8. WEST COAST (12-0-10) 105.7% 48PTS

Nothing like getting Stephen King to script the last few minutes of the AFL season. If only the human mop (Nic Naitanui) could have returned because without him the Eagles lack the extra yards.

Melbourne missed out on the finals on percentage.

9. MELBOURNE (12-0-10) 105.2% 48PTS

How the Demons love to torture their fans. In reality they are a year, or possibly two, off a serious challenge and another tall forward short. Max Gawn is their barometer and he has just Gawn since returning from injury.

10. WESTERN BULLDOGS (11-0-11) 97.1% 44PTS

A winter of discontent from a spluttering outfit that never hit top gear. Now we find out what the Dogs are made of and if they are The Knack (one hit wonders) or a group desperate for redemption.

11. ST KILDA (11-0-11) 96.9% 44PTS

During the pre-season they were competing with Richmond as a finals side, so Sunday said a lot about a year that has been fair rather than good. And there is no obvious reason to say they will march in 2018.

12. HAWTHORN (10-1-11) 90.7% 42PTS

If you are going to miss the eight for the first time in yonks, then do it in a way where you sell hope for next year. That the Hawks, Cats and Swans remain competitive is a huge credit to their list management and development.

13. COLLINGWOOD (9-1-12) 99.0% 38PTS

Can make a solid case as the most consistent team outside the eight. And the Pies are young and profile-wise (games and age) they are in good shape for finals. It’s just a matter of how long do you wait.

A Collingwood fan supports Nathan Buckley.

Jeremy Howe takes a hanger over Christian Petracca.

14. FREMANTLE (8-0-14) 74.4% 32PTS

Maybe the hardest crew to get a handle on for 2018. At least Ross Lyon has blooded a heap of young Dockers but to be a finals aspirant, you would suspect they need to get busy in trade week.

15. NORTH MELBOURNE (6-0-16) 87.6% 24PTS

Sam Durdin’s most promising game, hopefully leading to a double act with Ben Brown. Trent Dumont, Ryan Clarke and Jy Simpkin will be part of the next coming which hopefully comes under Brad Scott.

16. CARLTON (6-0-16) 78.2% 24PTS

Saved some of their worst for last as some of the Blues kids barely crawled to the line. Blaine Boekhorst’s finish to the season was full of run and carry, while Kade Simpson made a case for one more winter.

17. GOLD COAST (6-0-16) 76.0% 24PTS

Gee, sacking Rodney Eade really made a difference. In fact maybe he over-achieved with a list that is stuck somewhere in Nowhere Land. Reckon the Suns rate with the Bulldogs as the disappointments of 2017.

18. BRISBANE (5-0-17) 74.3% 20PTS

An inglorious ending belies a season where some foundations were laid. Alex Witherden emerged as a future midfield gun and their Academy is unearthing some serious talent, plus the Lions have got their act together off the park.