Ladder predictor: How Gold Coast’s final game will shape the make-up of the top eight

In the penultimate match of the AFL home-and-away season, the Lions steadied in the final term to secure third place on the table.

Brisbane will face off against secondplace Geelong at the MCG.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FULL CLUB-BY-CLUB BREAKDOWN

While the Lions have secured a double chance in the finals, the Hawks’ loss has condemned them to a sudden-death road clash in the first week of the playoffs against either the GWS Giants or Fremantle.

The final make-up of the top eight won’t be decided until the Gold Coast Suns face Essendon on Wednesday night. Win and the Suns will leapfrog the Bulldogs into the top eight, ending the finals dream for Luke Beveridge’s side. Whether Gold Coast finishes seventh or eighth would depend on the margin of victory, while a loss would end the Suns’ season and allow the Bulldogs to cling on to eighth place.

1. ADELAIDE

18-5 (72) – 139.3%

The Crows capped a remarkable year going 15th in 2024 to claiming the minor premiership as they saw off a plucky North Melbourneoutfit. It gives Matthew Nicks’ side two home finals at Adelaide Oval, where the Crows are extremely tough to beat.

Will finish: First

2. GEELONG

17-6 (68) - 141.5%

Another top four finish for the Cats. The opponents haven’t been the hardest but Chris Scott’s side has well and truly foundtheir scoring touch in recent weeks to come into finals looking like an imposing outfit.

Will finish: Second

3. BRISBANE LIONS

16-1-6 (66) - 114.2%

The reigning premiers came back and flexed their muscles against Hawthorn to claim a top four finish. While they won the flaglast year, Lions senior coach Chris Fagan said this year’s home and away season has been better from his side. It’s a scarythought for the other teams.

Will finish: Third

4. COLLINGWOOD

16-7 (64) - 115.3%

The Pies have been spluttering in recent weeks but have managed to hold onto a top four spot, only just. The week off mightbe just what Craig McRae needs to get his side looking like the dominant outfit we saw for the first half of the year.

Will finish: Fourth

5. GWS GIANTS

16-7 (64) - 115.3%

It wasn’t as convincing as they would have liked but the Giants held off St Kilda to claim a home qualifying final. Adam Kingsley’s side has shown in recent weeks that their game is at a level that could do some damage in finals and will be hoping to get the orange tsunami rolling.

Will finish: Fifth

6. FREMANTLE

16-7 (64) - 109%

In a playoff for a finals spot it was the Dockers who rose to the occasion at Marvel Stadium, putting in one of their best performances for the year. A week ago it looked like they had cooked their top eight chances, now they get to host a elimination final out west.

Will finish: Sixth

7. HAWTHORN

15-8 (60) - 120.9%

The Hawks were gallant and ran the Lions all the way on Sunday, but just fell short against the reigning premiers. It means Sam Mitchell’s side will be watching Gold Coast’s clash with Essendon on Wednesday to find out if they are heading to Perth or Sydney for their elimination final.

Best finish: Seventh

Worst finish: Eighth

Expected finish: Eighth

8. WESTERN BULLDOGS

14-9 (56) - 137%

Even coming in as the form side and with home ground advantage the Bulldogs faltered when it counted against Fremantle on Sunday and are now praying for the depleted Essendon to cause one hell of an upset against Gold Coast on Wednesday night.

Best finish: Eighth

Worst finish: Ninth

Expected finish: Ninth

9. GOLD COAST

14-8 (56) - 120.1%

The Suns couldn’t blow it could they? A couple of weeks ago it looked like Damian Hardwick’s side was odds on for a top four finish. But after being blown away by GWS, and then shocked by Port Adelaide on Friday night, the Suns need to defeat Essendon on Wednesday night to secure the club’s first ever finals appearance — and if it is a big win they can go up to seventh.

Best finish: Seventh

Worst finish: Ninth

Expected finish: Seventh