As other codes lurch from disaster to controversy and back again, the No1 football code in Australia, AFL, is building up to one of the most thrilling finals series in years.
Huge crowds at the grounds, and massive viewership numbers on television all over the nation show clearly just how healthy the state of AFL is in one of the world’s most congested sporting markets.
With just one round of the regular season remaining no less than 11 of the 20 clubs are still in the running for the playoffs.
Already eliminated is the most successful team of the decade – Hawthorn – who will not be adding to their titles of 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2015. Is the era of the Hawks finally over?
Also gone from last year’s playoff participants are North Melbourne and the AFL’s second most successful all time club – Carlton.
The most heavily supported club, Collingwood, with over 75,000 season members, have again had a disappointing season and cannot finish higher than 12th. The pressure is now heavily on their coach, club legend Nathan Buckley, who has not reached the playoffs once in his six-year tenure, which now must be drawing to a close.
But the Pies misfortune will be forgotten quickly as all eyes now turn to those teams fighting it out for the unimaginatively named, Premiership Cup.
Six clubs have already guaranteed their playoff spots: Adelaide, Greater Western Sydney, Geelong, Richmond, Port Adelaide and the real danger team, Sydney Swans, who in recent weeks have beaten all of the top three sides.
This leaves no less than five clubs fighting for the last two playoff spots including last year’s surprise premiers – Western Bulldogs. In the tightest of races four of those five are all locked on 44 points, separated only by percentages.
Here’s our take on how they shape up for the eight:
MELBOURNE
Position: 7th
Points: 48
Percentage: 106.4
Final round: v Collingwood, MCG
Rundown: The Demons will be desperate to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2006 but their old rivals Collingwood will be keen to spoil the party. It may be coach Nathan Buckley’s last game in charge so the Pies will be keen to see him off with a win.
ESSENDON
Position: 8th
Points: 44
Percentage: 106.1
Final Round: v Fremantle, Etihad
Rundown: The Bombers held their nerve to beat Gold Coast on Saturday but they must not ease up against the Dockers, who will want to finish off a disappointing season with a win.
WEST COAST
Position: 9th
Points: 44
Percentage: 104.3
Final round: v Adelaide, Domain
Rundown: The Eagles let slip a great chance to bolster their playoff hopes fading late against GWS on the weekend.
They must now overcome table topping Adelaide to give themselves any hope. The last game before the Eagles move to the new Perth Stadium next year.
ST KILDA
Position: 10th
Points: 44
Percentage: 98.9
Final round: v Richmond, MCG
Rundown: With a poor percentage coming in to the final round the Saints can only make the finals if Essendon, West Coast and the Western Bulldogs all lose.
They will also need to beat the in-form Tigers who are running hot after destroying Freo yesterday.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
Position: 11th
Points: 44
Percentage: 97.4
Final Round: v Hawthorn, Etihad.
Rundown: This match pits the 2015 premiers (Hawthorn) vs the 2016 premiers (Bulldogs) and it looks like the Doggies are set to go from zeroes to heroes and back to zeroes. The Bulldogs need to win, then hope Essendon, St Kilda and West Coast all lose.
They won the Grand Final from seventh place last year, the first team in the history of the finals series to do that, but hard to see a repeat of similar glory in 2017.