After another great weekend of footy, the AFL is officially in the business end of the season with only five rounds remaining until the beginning of the 2024 AFL Finals Series.
Unlike other seasons, the race to the finals remains completely open. With 14 different teams potentially featuring in the finals, the Sydney Swans are the only side that has already booked its spot.
Entering Round 20 this weekend, Carlton is on 48 points, Brisbane and Fremantle on 46, three teams remain on 44 points, three teams sit on 40 points, and two teams are on 36 points.
Predicting the finish to the season with 100 per cent accuracy is extremely difficult and would likely require a time travel machine. However, Palmerbet examines which AFL team can possibly make the finals this season.
1st: Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans great start to the season has enabled them to already guarantee a placing in the AFL Finals. With a near-certainty of finishing in the first place, it is hard to see the Swans move from the top of the table, especially if they are victorious in their home three home fixtures to come.
Upcoming Fixtures: Western Bulldogs (H), Port Adelaide (A), Collingwood (H), Essendon (A), Adelaide (H)
2nd: Carlton Blues
A victory against the North Melbourne Kangaroos last week sees Carlton one win clear from the rest of the pack and have a friendly run to end the season with matches against Port Adelaide, West Coast and St Kilda Saints.
Upcoming Fixtures: Port Adelaide (H), Collingwood (A), Hawthorn (H), West Coast (A), St Kilda (H)
3rd: Brisbane Lions
Sitting in 13th place after Round 15, the Lions have become one of the most in-form teams of the competition and are nearly unbeatable at home in Queensland. A top-eight spot is nearly guaranteed but they could easily move out of the top-four depending on results.
Upcoming Fixtures: Gold Coast (A), St Kilda (A), GWS (H), Collingwood (A), Essendon (H)
4th: Fremantle Dockers
The derby against the West Coast Eagles this week means that the Dockers will have three of their last five matches in their home state and will be eager to make up for their shock loss against the Eagles. They also produced a great win the last time they were in Sydney, defeating the Swans.
Upcoming Fixtures: West Coast (A), Essendon (A), Geelong (H), GWS (A), Port Adelaide (H)
5th: GWS Giants
The GWS Giants have one of the most difficult draws heading into the finals, playing at five different venues in their last five matches. On the cusp of a four-match winning streak, the Giants could either make a dramatic push into the top-four or fall to the bottom of the eight. However, expect them to make the finals.
Upcoming Fixtures: Melbourne (A), Hawthorn (H), Brisbane (A), Fremantle (H), Western Bulldogs (A)
6th: Geelong Cats
The Geelong Cats have been incredibly inconsistent this season – especially at home – but we are counting the lucky stars that they face the Kangaroos, Saints and Eagles to close the season. It’s hard to see them move out of the eight, considering who they will be playing, but Geelong have shown they can come up with costly and surprising defeats.
Upcoming Fixtures: North Melbourne (A), Adelaide (H), Fremantle (A), St Kilda (A), West Coast (H)
7th: Port Adelaide Power
As Ken Hinkley coaches for his future at the Power, they have a tough run home, beginning with back-to-back matches against the top two teams in the competition – Carlton and Sydney. These hard matches will create a must-watch Showdown battle with rivals Adelaide and a tough task away from home against the Dockers.
Upcoming Fixtures: Carlton (A), Sydney (H), Melbourne (A), Adelaide (H), Fremantle (A)
8th: Essendon Bombers
If the Bombers are any chances of remaining in the top-eight and in finals competition, they will need to win at least three or four out of their next five matches which include a clash against the Swans and an away meeting with the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.
Upcoming Fixtures: St Kilda (A), Fremantle (H), Gold Coast (A), Sydney (H), Brisbane (A)
9th: Western Bulldogs
Having won four matches of their past five – including victories over Carlton and Geelong – the Bulldogs are hitting their best form at the right time and will be boosted by an easy match against the North Melbourne Kangaroos.
Upcoming Fixtures: Sydney (A), Melbourne (H), Adelaide (A), North Melbourne (A), GWS (H)
10th: Melbourne Demons
Heading into the season as one of the favourites to win the 2024 AFL Premiership, the Demons have struggled since winning six of their first eight matches to start the season. It could get a lot worse for them with crunch matches against the Giants, Bulldogs, Magpies and an away match against the Suns, who are yet to lose at their home stadium
Upcoming Fixtures: GWS (H), Western Bulldogs (A), Port Adelaide (H), Gold Coast (A), Collingwood (A)
11th: Hawthorn Hawks
After a disappointing start to the season, the Hawks have dramatically turned things around and are now in contention for the finals. However, expect them to be one of the teams to just miss out as they still field a relatively inexperienced roster.
Upcoming Fixtures: Adelaide (A), GWS (A), Carlton (H), Richmond (A), North Melbourne (H)
12th: Gold Coast Suns
The Gold Coast Suns are one of the more interesting teams this season. While they have yet to lose at their home stadium, they have continued to struggle away from home. Luckily, they have three home games to end the season but will need at least one victory against the Eagles or Bombers.
Upcoming Fixtures: Brisbane (H), West Coast (A), Essendon (A), Melbourne (H), Richmond (H)
13th: Collingwood Magpies
Who would have guessed that the Magpies would be sitting at 13th this late in the season? The reigning premiers will need to produce a miracle run home to the finals but have lost their last four matches. Needing at least four wins to make a claim towards the finals, this creates blockbuster matches against the Blues and Swans.
Upcoming Fixtures: Richmond (A), Carlton (H), Swans (A), Brisbane (H), Melbourne (A)
14th: Adelaide Crows
The Crows have the hardest run, needing to win all five matches to have any chance of still making the finals. Even if they are able to produce the five victories, there is still no certainty that they will make the finals, needing other results in their favour. Expect to see the Crows outside of the top-eight.
Upcoming Fixtures: Hawthorn (H), Geelong (A), Western Bulldogs (H), Port Adelaide (H), Sydney (A)