Home finals, top four spots and even the wooden spoon on the line in final home-and-away round

IT HAS been one of the most even seasons in VFL/AFL history and despite being at Round 23, we still don’t know who will play finals, finish top four or win the wooden spoon. THE ROUND 23 IMPLICATIONS

A home final is on the line when Geelong host GWS at Simonds Stadium. Picture: Phil Hillyard

WE’VE reached the final round of the home-and-away season in what has been one of the most even seasons in history.

The final eight is still not set and with just nine matches to go, there is plenty on the line from securing the double chance to avoiding the wooden spoon.

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MAJOR BLOW: INJURIES COULD DERAIL BOMBERS’ FINALS BID

REPORT: TIGERS STORM BACK INTO TOP FOUR

TOUGH WIN: MELBOURNE EYE FINALS AFTER SCARE AGAINST LIONS

ANALYSIS: WHAT IS LUKE BEVERIDGE’S BIGGEST HEADACHE?

So it’s not just the teams gunning for a top-eight berth that have something to play for this weekend.

Every match matters and NICK SMART analyses the final countdown

FRIDAY

HAWTHORN v WESTERN BULLDOGS, Etihad Stadium, 7.50pm

The Hawks are done courtesy of Saturday night’s loss to Carlton, but the Dogs are still alive ... just. They must beat Hawthorn and hope everything else goes right to pinch eighth spot. Remote chance at best.

Will Friday night be Bob Murphy’s final AFL match? Picture: Michael Klein

SATURDAY

COLLINGWOOD v MELBOURNE, MCG, 1.45pm

The Demons’ win over Brisbane helps, but to be certain of a finals berth they’ll need to knock over an unpredictable Collingwood. If they lose, the Eagles and Essendon could jump them.

BRISBANE LIONS v NORTH MELBOURNE, Gabba 2.10pm

No finals to play for here, but the match is interesting in it will determine which side finishes with the wooden spoon and pick No.1 in the national draft. Do you want the win or not, North fans?

Brisbane are currently on the bottom of the ladder. Picture: Getty

But if they defeat North Melbourne, then the wooden spoon and No.1 draft pick belongs to the Kangaroos.

SYDNEY v CARLTON, SCG, 4.35pm

Sydney is second favourite for premiership with TAB, yet it still may not make the top four. To secure the double chance, it needs to win, hope Richmond loses and it also must bridge the percentage gap on Port.

GEELONG v GWS GIANTS, Simonds Stadium, 7.25pm

What a big game this will be. The equation is simple — the winner will claim second position on the ladder and a prized home qualifying final. Tom Hawkins will be back for the Cats to help them try to claim the top-two finish. The Giants could still snatch the minor premiership if they win and Adelaide slips up. The Cats could fall to fourth if they lose and the Tigers win.

A home final is on the line when Geelong host GWS at Simonds Stadium. Picture: Phil Hillyard

PORT ADELAIDE v GOLD COAST, Adelaide Oval, 7.10pm

The Power should enjoy a comfortable win here to mercifully end another miserable Gold Coast season. Top four still very much on the table, and its strong percentage means the Power cannot finish lower than sixth. If the Tigers lose, a showdown awaits.

SUNDAY

ESSENDON v FREMANTLE, Etihad Stadium, 1.10pm

Hosting Fremantle in the final round is a good result for the Bombers. A win here will secure a finals berth — Essendon’s first since 2014. If the Pies win, the Dons will finish seventh.

Richmond must win to secure the finals double chance. Picture: Getty

RICHMOND v ST KILDA, MCG, 3.20pm

It is all on the line for Richmond ... beat St Kilda in what is likely to be Nick Riewoldt’s final game and a top-four spot and a trip to either Adelaide or western Sydney awaits if the Giants defeat the Cats. Lose and it’s elimination final time ... again. As for the Saints, Sunday’s win keeps them alive, although they must win and hope the Dons and Eagles lose.

WEST COAST v ADELAIDE, Subiaco, 4.40pm

Adelaide will lose top spot if it drops this game and the Giants beat Geelong. If the Crows take care of business, the minor premiership is theirs. They will host a qualifying final regardless of the result. The Eagles need to win — and win big — and hope the Dees or Dons lose to sneak into the eight.