To be the best, you've got to beat the best.
That's certainly the case for both Adelaide and GWS, who are the two best sides when it comes to playing fellow premiership contenders, as well as occupying the top two spots on the ladder.
However, somewhat surprisingly, Hawthorn have won five games against top eight opposition this season, and have the third best record against such teams.
They've also played the most games against top eight sides with 11, meaning they've had one of the toughest draws this season.
The table below is made up of teams' records against the current top eight, and not relating to the ladder positions at the time of the contest.
Despite the majority of finals-bound sides sitting at the top of this table, two sides looking to make a splash in September won't like the look of their position.
Both the Western Bulldogs and Port Adelaide - who face off this weekend at Mars Stadium in Ballarat - have only won two games against top eight clubs.
The Power have only beaten West Coast and Sydney, while the Dogs have come away with victories against Richmond and Sydney.
Interestingly, both the Power and Dogs faced Sydney in the opening two rounds, and got them at their weakest this season.
Every side bar Brisbane have won at least two games against top eight sides, with the Lions failing in all nine attempts.
Every side's record against the top eight clubs this season
| Played | Win | Draw | Loss | Percentage | |
| Adelaide | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 137.8% |
| GWS | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 104.2% |
| Hawthorn | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 88.7% |
| Geelong | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 98.0% |
| Sydney | 7 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 101.2% |
| Richmond | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 92.7% |
| Collingwood | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 94.5% |
| West Coast | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 99.2% |
| Essendon | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 96.6% |
| Melbourne | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 87.7% |
| St Kilda | 11 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 85.1% |
| North Melbourne | 9 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 83.6% |
| Port Adelaide | 9 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 85.9% |
| Western Bulldogs | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 75.5% |
| Carlton | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 73.4% |
| Gold Coast | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 62.9% |
| Fremantle | 10 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 61.1% |
| Brisbane | 9 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 53.9% |
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