To win a premiership takes near perfection, a small crack in the game plan or a subtle pattern not ironed out will kill off any team's September assault.
Just one injury or inconsistency can completely derail a team's shot at winning.
In just two weeks, Geelong's premiership aspirations have been shot after losing superstars Jeremy Cameron and Max Holmes to substantial injuries.
Geelong has gone from a flag force with genuine premiership credentials, to a team battling for finals with teams that were an afterthought just weeks ago.
Through 18 rounds, each contender has displayed premiership characteristics as they stake their claims as the leagues best.
As we surge towards finals, teams will try to separate themselves from the rest, perfecting their style and priming their stars for the crusade ahead.
Of the current premiership contenders, none of them are perfect.
All of the contenders left have a flaw they must overcome, and if they do, will bring them much closer to premiership glory.
3. Hawthorn
No team has sat in third position longer than Hawthorn this season, holding the spot for 11 weeks.
The Hawks consistency places them firmly inside the top four with a gentle run to finish the season.
In recent weeks, a noticeable blemish has begun to emerge for Hawthorn with opposing teams getting on a run of goals without the Hawks being able to counter.
Against Melbourne in Round 17, Hawthorn was outscored 86 points to nine in the first half, getting demolished at clearance and scored on in a flurry.
A similar story occurred against Fremantle earlier in the year, allowing five goals in 10 minutes of real time in the fourth quarter to get overrun in a game they controlled from the start.
The Hawks must address these momentum swings if they wants to compete with the best.
