Round 21: the other games. Zombies still walk amongst us.

[wolftone57]

This is how the finals Eight is poised.

1. Melbourne 66 132
2. Geelong 64 128.6
3. Port 64 127.3
4. Bulldogs 60 134.5
5. Lions 56 132.7
6. Swans 56 115.1
7. Giants 42 98.9
8. Bombers 40 107.2
9. Eagles 40 98.9
10. Dockers 40 89.0

The rest are now gone. While technically Richmond and St Kilda can still make it both have percentages that would preclude this unless the Bombers were to be beaten by a hell of a lot by pies and I can't see that happening. The final round matches Giants and Carlton which Giants should win easily. Essendon should beat Pies. Tigers play a rejuvenated Hawks who will get the job done against a Tigers outfit who's game plan has been totally destroyed this season. To keep their finals hopes alive Dockers have to beat Saints in Melbourne. for a side who traditionally do not travel well this could be problematic.

The real battle is not for the last positions in the top eight as I think they are basically set due to the fixture. But the real battle is who goes top and who gets a double chance playing a home final.

Cats v Dees might settle who becomes Minor Premier. But there is a spoiler. If Melbourne lose and Port give Bullies a sound beating then Port may spoil the party and go top. This would give Port and Geelong home games. But if Dees win they go top and if Port win they will be second. But if they lose the Bullies will go to third.

But another spoiler. If Bullies lose and Lions beat Eagles at home, which I predict they will, they go into fourth. Simple really.

So here is the fixture with my prediction

Lions v Eagles (Lions by plenty)
Carlton v Giants (Giants by the thousands, this could be a record score)
Bombers v Pies (close match but Bombers have too much class)
Cats v Dees (Dees. Cats stodgy footy doesn't measure up against Dees)
Tigers v Hawks (Clarko will have viewed how we murdered Tiges game plan as every other coach did. Hawks by plenty)
Saints v Dockers (Dockers have far more to play for but Saints might just spoil the party)
Swans v Suns (this is probably the most unimportant game of the round position wise. Swans with youth)
Bullis v Port (Port are in a very angry mood and they are playing great footy. If the Bullies thought the Hawks mids hard try this lot)

Teams in the Eight to stay the same but maybe some position shifting.

[barry]

Yep. Top 8 won't change unless major upsets against GwS or Essendon.

Only way upsets could happen is if major coaching announcements happen this week, which causes the playing group to go way beyond form lines.

Otherwise, their opponents (carlton, pies) have put the proverbial pool cues in the proverbial pool racks.