Eighth spot wide open

and Hawks at home but also face two tough away games against the Lions and Magpies.

Brisbane: 8th, 9-8-1, 113.1

TO COME: Hawthorn (MCG), Sydney (Gabba), Adelaide (AAMI), Geelong (Gabba).

PREDICTION: With five successive wins the Lions have surged into the top eight but will need to win three of their last four to stay there. And that looks a tough ask given they not only face runaway leaders Geelong in the final round but also have two tough away games to come to against Hawthorn and Adelaide.

St Kilda: 9th, 9-8-1, 94.8

TO COME: Sydney (Telstra Stadium), Fremantle (Dome), West Coast (Dome), Richmond (MCG).

PREDICTION: Following their draw with the Bulldogs, the Saints poor percentage comes back into play and they will need to win one more game than the Lions (as well as staying ahead of the Dogs on percentage) to make the eight. But the Saints have a better run home than the Lions and even if they lose in Sydney this week, they will probably make it if they win their last three games - which are all at home - with Richmond shaping as an ideal percentage booster in the last round.

Western Bulldogs: 10th, 9-8-1, 92.7.

TO COME: Melbourne (Dome), Adelaide (AAMI), Hawthorn (Dome), Kangaroos (Dome).
PREDICTION: In the same position as the Saints but have a tougher run home and will probably start underdogs in their last three matches.

Adelaide: 11th, 9-9, 108.8

TO COME: Geelong (SS), Bulldogs (AAMI), Brisbane (AAMI), Collingwood (Dome).

PREDICTION: Is back in finals contention after its win over Port but needs to win three of its last four and possibly all four to make the finals. But with their run home including Geelong and Collingwood away, it looks tough for the Crows.

Essendon: 12th, 9-9, 93.6

TO COME: Fremantle (S), Carlton (MCG), Richmond (MCG), West Coast (S).

PREDICTION: Faces a near impossible task after its loss to Hawthorn as it now needs to win all four matches to make the eight - because of its poor percentage - but still faces two trips to Subiaco.

Fremantle: 13th, 8-10, 99.8

TO COME: Essendon (S), St Kilda (Dome), Melbourne (S), Port Adelaide (AAMI).

PREDICTION: Kept its slim hopes alive by beating West Coast but even if it wins its last four matches could still miss out with 12 and a half wins likely to be the figure needed to make the eight this year.