With only four rounds left in season 2017, we look at which games are the most crucial and will have the biggest impact on the make up of the final eight.
Round 20
Geelong v Sydney
Simonds Stadium
Sydney's remarkable season could come crashing down on Friday night with a loss down at the Cattery. Patrick Dangerfield's absence will give the Swans a boost while it gives the Cats an opportunity to prove they can perform on the big stage without their best player on the park. A loss for the Cats also puts their top two hopes under a cloud while a win could give them a share of top spot on the AFL ladder.
GWS v Melbourne
University of New South Wales
Much has been made of the Giants' form of late and that will continue to be tested this weekend against their fellow finals hopefuls. The Demons are one of four teams on 40 points with their percentage currently propping them up over the reigning premiers.
Without Jeremy Cameron among a host of other stars, the Giants are vulnerable and it could be as good a time as any for the Demons to take this big scalp en route to finals football. A loss for the Demons could see them in danger of dropping out of the eight, while a Giants loss will put their top four chances in jeopardy.
St Kilda v West Coast
Etihad Stadium
A loss for either team would cripple their sides chances for finals football. While the Eagles wouldn't be out for the count, their well-documented interstate woes will play on their minds while the Saints will be looking to send Nick Riewoldt out in style in the final part of the season.
Adelaide v Port Adelaide
Adelaide Oval
If the Showdown needed another element to its build up, it's got it this weekend with a lot on the line for both sides. A win for the Crows coupled with a Geelong loss against the Swans would go a long way to securing top spot on the ladder while a loss could put them back in the battle for a home final. For the Power, a loss would almost eliminate their top four hopes while a win along with results falling their way wouldn't rule them out of a home qualifying final either.
Round 21
Western Bulldogs v GWS
Etihad Stadium
If their past two matches are anything to go by, this one should be a belter. Despite all of their injuries, the Giants are battling hard to earn a home final in week one while the Dogs are hitting form at the right end of the season in a bid to defend their crown once September roles around.
While they may not be at the peak of their powers just yet, could this match be a precursor to another September classic?
Geelong v Richmond
Simonds Stadium
The battle for spots in the top four continues as the Tigers head down the highway to take on the Cats featuring a fresh Patrick Dangerfield. The Tigers have beaten the Cats just once since 2001, however, their lone win did come down at Kardinia Park - albeit in 2006. A Richmond win would have the Tiger faithful roaring into September while a loss may see them slip back into the pack while the unconvincing Cats would also like to take a fellow finalists scalp heading into September and a win would go some way to securing a four spot.
Melbourne v St Kilda
Melbourne Cricket Ground
This game has the potential to make or break Melbourne's season as they sit on the fringes of the eight. A home final would be the goal for Simon Goodwin's side with this being a game they cannot afford to drop. The Saints, meanwhile, need no less than to win all four matches to give themselves a chance and will be out to avenge their loss against the Dees in round one.
Round 22
Adelaide v Sydney
Adelaide Oval
Two of the competition heavyweights will go toe to toe in Friday night football in the penultimate round of the season with all sorts of implications. Adelaide could sew up top spot with a win, depending on previous results, while the Swans could either climb up or drop down severely on the ladder pending other results.
A Taylor Walker v Lance Franklin goal shootout looms in what might be another preview to a September showdown.
Western Bulldogs v Port Adelaide
Mars Stadium
The regional town of Ballarat will be treated to a pre-finals spectacle as two of the league's fastest and most exciting teams go head to head. The Bulldogs will still be scrapping around for a place in the eight while the Power could still yet be in the hunt for a top two birth as both sides will need no added motivation to take home the four points.
Will the Dogs continue their strong patch of form or will the Power turn out the lights on the Dogs' premiership defence?
Round 23
Geelong v GWS
Simonds Stadium
Arguably the most anticipated game that remains in the 2017 home and away season has been given the prime time slot of Saturday night with the result sure to have serious consequences on the make up of the top eight.
Should the ladder remain the way it is, it could also mean the Cats and the Giants will square off in qualifying final a fortnight later, which would only add a bit of spice to a potentially brewing rivalry.
Will the Giants get back to their electrifying ways or will DangerWood and co. lift the Cats to a home qualifying final?
Richmond v St Kilda
Melbourne Cricket Ground
In a game that could be Nick Riewoldt's last in AFL football, both Richmond and St Kilda faithfuls will turn out to the 'G to farewell one of the games greats.
With a bit of luck, they could be playing for a spot in the eight while the Tigers will be hoping a top two (or four) spot is still up for grabs come August 27. Regardless of their position, the Tigers will know form counts for everything heading into September and will want to spoil the senior Riewoldt's party one final time.
