One week at a time? That might be the motto at football clubs but not for the fans, who will be looking ahead to see if the top eight is within reach.
With the round 1 8 split round still to be completed, six teams are left jostling for the last three spots in the top eight.
Thirteen wins appears to be the number needed to book a finals spot but percentage may also be need to split teams in a race that is unlikely to be finished until round 23.
With six games to play, Adelaide remains in control of its own fate. Six wins would not only secure a top eight finish, it could be enough to move as high as 6th to earn a home elimination final.
Five more wins should be enough for the Crows to climb into the eight. There is still a slight chance that a team with 12 wins could finish 8th but at this stage it is more likely that 13 wins will be required.
Here is a quick guide to what’s ahead for the six clubs:
6. North Melbourne
40 points (ten wins, seven losses) 112.5 per cent
Friday night’s loss to Carlton has dropped the Kangaroos back into the battle for spots in bottom end of the top eight and their next opponent is Geelong.
The run home:
Rd 19: Geelong at Etihad Stadium
Rd 20: Greater Western Sydney at Startrack Oval
Rd 21: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Adelaide at Blundstone Arena
Rd 23: Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
7. Essendon
40 points (ten wins, seven losses) 109.8 per cent
The Bombers had a scare on Sunday against the Western Bulldogs. Their next game is against Sydney but it’s the only current top-eight team, Sydney Swans, on the run home. A round 22 clash against Gold Coast could be pivotal for both sides.
The run home:
Rd 19: Sydney Swans at the SCG
Rd 20: Richmond at the MCG
Rd 21: West Coast at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Carlton at the MCG
8. Collingwood
36 points (nine wins, seven losses) 106.6 per cent
Four losses from its past five games has sent Collingwood tumbling to 8th. This Sunday’s MCG clash with Adelaide is huge but the Magpies then must take on Port Adelaide before travelling to Perth to play West Coast.
The run home:
Rd 18: Adelaide at the MCG
Rd 19: Port Adelaide at the MCG
Rd 20: West Coast at Patersons Stadium
Rd 21: Brisbane Lions at the MCG
Rd 22: Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium
Rd 23: Hawthorn at the MCG
9. Gold Coast
36 points (nine wins, seven losses) 99.5 per cent
The Suns could be back in the top eight this time next week if they can win away against Brisbane and Collingwood loses to the Crows. Also needs to lift its percentage in the next few rounds as there could be two or three teams on the 13-win mark after the last round.
The run home:
Rd 18: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 19: St Kilda at Metricon Stadium
Rd 20: Carlton at Etihad Stadium
Rd 21: Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium
Rd 22: Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: West Coast at Metricon Stadium
10. Adelaide
32 points (eight wins, eight losses) 108.4 per cent
Adelaide’s campaign starts with Sunday’s clash with eight-placed Collingwood at the MCG but it will probably need five wins from the last six games to finish in the top eight.
The run home:
Rd 18: Collingwood at the MCG
Rd 19: West Coast at Adelaide Oval
Rd 20: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 21: Richmond at Adelaide Oval
Rd 22: North Melbourne at Blundstone Oval
Rd 23: St Kilda at Adelaide Oval
11. West Coast
28 points (seven wins, nine losses) 108.2 per cent
The Eagles are two games behind eight-placed Collingwood but if they win at home against Richmond have games against contenders Adelaide, Collingwood and Essendon in the following three weeks. At this stage, five wins won’t be enough and they will need to win their last six.
The run home:
Rd 18: Richmond at Patersons Stadium
Rd 19: Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Rd 20: Collingwood at Patersons Stadium
Rd 21: Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Melbourne at Patersons Stadium
Rd 23: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
