The AFL is down to the last five weeks and the race for the flag is heating up. Two teams are 13-4, three are 12-5, and two are 11-6. With two games between them and the next pack, these teams know they will be in the finals and are jockeying for position. The top two teams are guaranteed two games at home and if they win the first they will get a week off before the second game. The third and fourth place teams are guaranteed two games, but the first is on the road with a week off if they win. For the fifth through eighth place teams it’s win or go home with the fifth and sixth place teams hosting the first game.
Richmond, St. Kilda, and the Western Bulldogs at 9-8 and Port Adelaide and Gold Coast at 8-9 are all fighting for that last finals berth. With scoring percentage being the only tiebreaker, not only do contenders have to win, they have to win big. Essendon and Hawthorn at 6-11 could be eliminated this weekend. Adelaide and Greater Western Sydney at 5-12 should be eliminated this weekend.
At 2-15 North Melbourne and West Coast are fighting for the wooden spoon. Or fighting to not get the spoon because no one wants to be last. Since they do not play each other any win during the run home would be a huge upset. North beat Richmond last round, so it is possible one of these teams could do it again.
Footyfried 