Positions correct as of the end of Round 17.
1st Box Hill 48 (150.94%)
-Geelong (11th)
-Northern Blues (14th)
-Williamstown (2nd)
Box Hill is shaping as this year’s minor premiers after snatching top spot last week, sitting a game clear. The Hawks face a final-round tune up against Williamstown, which should be a cracking match.
2nd Williamstown 44 (144.37%)
-Casey (8th)
-Werribee (5th)
-Box Hill (1st)
Williamstown’s final three opponents look tough on paper. Casey should not be underestimated, while Werribee confirmed its status as a genuine contender after knocking off the Bombers last weekend. Still, the Seaguls should start favourite in all but their last match against the Hawks.
3rd Sandringham 44 (116.65%)
-Northern Blues (14th)
-Geelong (11th)
-Casey (8th)
Sandringham has impressed and looks set to secure a top-four spot. A comfortable final three matches on paper should be the perfect run into finals for the Dragons.
4th Footscray 40 (139.87%)
-Port Melbourne (9th)
-Essendon (7th)
-Werribee (5th)
After a shaky start, the reigning premiers have come home with a wet sail. The Dogs have won the crucial matches and are shaping as a contender to round out the top-four. The Round-19 clash against Essendon looks set to decide who finishes fourth.
5th Werribee 40 (116.49%)
-Williamstown (2nd)
-Footscray (4th)
With just two games against quality opposition, Werribee looks set for a slide down the ladder. Still, a huge win against Essendon last week all but assured them a finals position and will be a formidable opposition in September.
6th Collingwood 40 (105.68%)
-North Ballarat (10th)
-Richmond (13th)
-Port Melbourne (9th)
Collingwood hasn’t lost a game at Victoria Park all season. And with their final three games at home, the Pies are also in the race for the final top-four spot. Should Essendon beat Footscray next Friday night, fourth position is Collingwood’s to lose.
7th Essendon 36 (116.38%)
-Frankston (15th)
-Footscray (4th)
-Richmond (13th)
After a tough loss to Werribee last week, Essendon’s hopes of a top-four spot now rest on the results of others. To finish fourth, the Bombers need to win all three of their final matches and hope Collingwood slip up on one.
8th Casey 36 (107.55%)
-Williamstown (2nd)
-Coburg (12th)
-Sandringham (3rd)
Sitting three games clear of ninth, it would have to take a catastrophe for the Scorpions to miss out on finals. The equation is simple, if Casey beats Coburg next weekend, a finals birth is assured.
9th Port Melbourne 24 (92.30%)
-Footscray (4th)
-Frankston (15th)
-Collingwood (6th)
Port Melbourne has the best chance of those outside the top-eight to snatch a spot. Mathematically it’s still possible. Port Melbourne needs to win all three games by big margins and hope Casey or Essendon lose all three.
