AFL fixture analysis: Which clubs from outside the top six are in the best position to lock in a finals spot?

Since the introduction of Gather Round, clubs have needed 13 wins to lock in a spot in September. Who can reach that magic number this year? See where all the challengers stand.

In recent seasons, it’s been pretty cut and dry in the race for the AFL top eight: get to 13 wins and you’ll be playing in September.

The Swans slightly bucked the trend by sneaking in with 12 wins, and a draw, in 2023, but since the introduction of Gather Round, 13 has been the number to make sure you don’t leave things up to chance.

With this year’s ladder as tight as ever, the majority of teams will still fancy their chances of sneaking up to the magic number. And based on some of the numbers we’ve crunched, it may even come down to 13 wins plus percentage.

But thanks to some help from Champion Data’s fixture rankings, here is how the teams placed from 7th to 15th on the ladder are currently placed at getting to 13 wins this season.