Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

[Bulldog4life]

https://www.afl.com.au/news/806938/top-eight-double-chance-who-misses-we-predict-the-ladder

MELBOURNE'S difficult run home will see the premier miss the top four, according to our reporters, who predict a Grand Final rematch in the opening week of the finals.

The Demons started the season with 10 straight wins, but have slipped to 13-5 with four rounds remaining.

Melbourne faces top-eight sides Fremantle, Collingwood, Carlton and Brisbane in its final four games and AFL.com.au's reporters collectively predict the Dees will miss the top four.

There is hope for the Dees, with Cal Twomey, Michael Whiting and Sarah Black predicting them to finish in the top four at the end of the home and away season.

A fifth-place finish would set up a mouth-watering elimination final between the Demons and Western Bulldogs, who played out a thriller in round 19.

The Dogs' surprise win over Melbourne at Marvel Stadium was a huge boost to their finals chances, and our reporters have Luke Beveridge's team finishing eighth.

Richmond's draw with Fremantle in round 19 proved costly as the Tigers missed the eight.

High-flying Geelong was a unanimous minor premier and the Cats could face the Dockers in a qualifying final. Fremantle is one of four teams to beat Chris Scott's side this year, and that win came at GMHBA Stadium.

Should the remainder of the home and away season pan out as predicted by our reporters, arch rivals Carlton and Collingwood would meet not only in round 23, but in an elimination final.

Brisbane, which faces Richmond, Carlton, St Kilda and Melbourne to finish the home and away season, would host Sydney in a qualifying final.

Our reporters' predicted final ladder

1. Geelong
2. Brisbane
3. Sydney
4. Fremantle
5. Melbourne
6. Carlton
7. Collingwood
8. Western Bulldogs

9. Richmond
10. Port Adelaide
11. St Kilda
12. Gold Coast
13. Hawthorn
14. Essendon
15. Adelaide
16. Greater Western Sydney
17. West Coast
18. North Melbourne

[MrMahatma]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

Well, I bet their reporters tipped 4 or 5 right last week so I’m not sure why their ladder predictor is any better than mine.

And I have us winning the flag!

[1eyedog]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

Wouldn't mind getting hold of the Pies or Blues in week 1.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

Wouldn't mind getting hold of the Pies or Blues in week 1.

I've got no qualms we would beat either of those 2 sides in a final. But prefer playing Collingwood.

[comrade]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

I've got no qualms we would beat either of those 2 sides in a final. But prefer playing Collingwood.

Yeah, we’d squash Collingwood. Carlton’s big forwards would worry me.

[Bulldog4life]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

Yeah, we’d squash Collingwood. Carlton’s big forwards would worry me.

I've always been positive but you're right.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

Collingwood are sitting ducks first week of the finals.

[Axe Man]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

Collingwood are sitting ducks first week of the finals.

Big 2006 vibes. Richmond finished 9th that year too.

[Happy Days]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

Collingwood are sitting ducks first week of the finals.

Because they’re everyone’s second team right? Those loveable sex pest racist scamps?

[Mantis]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

Big 2006 vibes. Richmond finished 9th that year too.

So after a big win we head to Perth and get beaten by 12 goals??

Does that mean I need to try and merge my mobile phone with a brick wall and watch it explode like I did back then?

[Bulldog Joe]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

So after a big win we head to Perth and get beaten by 12 goals??

Does that mean I need to try and merge my mobile phone with a brick wall and watch it explode like I did back then?

Don't be concerned Mantis.

There may be similarities, but there is no 2006 version of West Coast around.

If we take care of business, everyone need to be concerned about us.

[Axe Man]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

So after a big win we head to Perth and get beaten by 12 goals??

Does that mean I need to try and merge my mobile phone with a brick wall and watch it explode like I did back then?

You obviously weren't running a Nokia 3310, would have bounced off said wall like nothing happened.

[Mantis]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

You obviously weren't running a Nokia 3310, would have bounced off said wall like nothing happened.

I think it was a Nokia 8210. I managed to put it back together minus a few busted up pieces and it was still functional... but I think I put it through the washing machine a few weeks later just to finish it off.

[hujsh]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

You obviously weren't running a Nokia 3310, would have bounced off said wall like nothing happened.

Wall might be worse for wear

[merantau]

Re: Top eight, double chance, who misses? We predict the ladder

Port Adelaide can still make the finals. Freo, Carlton and St.Kilda still vulnerable. We win the last three and we're in. We simply must do it. Forget about the Flag. We can't match it with Geelong if we come up against them in September.

But what if we avoid them? It's not over yet. Big win next week coming up is the first down payment on our resurgence. Watch out rivals. The Bulldogs Momentum Express is about to leave West Footscray Station.

"This service will terminate at the MCG on the last Saturday in September."