AFL: The Battle For The Eight Heats Up

With ten rounds of the AFL season to go, it promises to be an enthralling contest to see who makes the Final Eight with 11 teams fighting for four spots.

The top four looks set with Collingwood and Port Adelaide seemingly having the top two spots locked in. Then Brisbane is a game clear in third place with ten wins and should make the top four from there.

Melbourne is fourth and although its form has spluttered on occasions it should also make the top four.

St Kilda and Essendon sit fifth and sixth with eight wins and as they showed with both teams losing last round, they are never certainties to win.

The Western Bulldogs are next next on the ladder also with eight wins and they also mix their form.

Adelaide are next in line in eighth spot and they have the best percentage of the four teams locked on seven wins.

Adelaide have proven they can mix it with the best. Still they will have to keep winning to make the eight.

Geelong are ninth and have a great run of games coming up at their home ground. Expect the reigning premiers to go into the eight.

The Gold Coast Suns tend to mix their form but they have a good run of games on their home turf.

Fremantle returned to form with a win against Essendon and when Sean Darcy plays they have a great record.

Richmond are next on six wins and a draw and the Tigers have hit form again under new coach Andrew McQualter. If they can beat Brisbane on Thursday night at the Gabba, you could confidently predict they will make the eight. Regardless they will go close.

Sydney and GWS are next on the ladder with six wins. If they hit form they could also come with a surge. Same for the 15th placed Carlton.

Predictions:

• Out: St Kilda, Western Bulldogs.
• In: Geelong, Richmond.