After Carlton's draw with the Western Bulldogs, the top 10 is locked in, but there is plenty left to play out.
The only positions in the top 10 locked in are Fremantle and Sydney, with the pair of premiership favourites confirmed to host a qualifying final.
But that's where the certainty ends.
Hawthorn's draw to Collingwood opens the door to the top four, while Adelaide's loss to Fremantle resulted in them slipping to seventh.
Each week on Zero Hanger between now and the end of the regular season, we will tip the week ahead, take stock of what's left, run through every club's trip to the finish line, and predict the final ladder.
Here is how the final week of the run home is shaping up for every team, as well as the best and worst-case scenarios available to each outfit.
Here are the tips for Round 24.
St Kilda Saints to beat Gold Coast Suns
Collingwood Magpies to lose to Brisbane Lions
Carlton Blues to lose to Fremantle Dockers
Melbourne Demons to beat Western Bulldogs
Geelong Cats to beat Richmond Tigers
Adelaide Crows to beat GWS Giants
Essendon Bombers to lose to Port Adelaide Power
Sydney Swans to beat North Melbourne Kangaroos
West Coast Eagles to lose to Hawthorn Hawks
1. Fremantle Dockers
Current position: 1st, 76 points, 142.5%
Remaining games
Round 24: Carlton (away)
The Dockers flexed their muscle against Adelaide and will look to continue their strong form into the finals.
They have a tricky match-up against Carlton at Marvel Stadium, and could look to manage some sore soldiers for the trip. However, a major consideration will be the fact that they have a week off during the Wildcard Round.
Likely finish: 1st
Change from last week: Nil
2. Sydney Swans
Current position: 2nd, 68 points, 134.5%
Remaining games
Round 24: North Melbourne (home)
After a slew of results around them, coupled with a strong win over Essendon, the Swans have locked up a home qualifying final.
Sydney will return to the SCG next week against North Melbourne, and like the Dockers, could look to manage some stars, with the consideration that the club gets a week off during the Wildcard Round.
Likely finish: 2nd
Change from last week: Nil
3. Brisbane Lions
Current position: 3rd, 60 points, 119.5%
Remaining games
Round 24: Collingwood (away)
The Lions' strong win over cross-town rivals helped push for a top-four spot, but their work is not finished.
Brisbane must beat Collingwood at the MCG to lock up a double chance, with Melbourne, Geelong and Adelaide, in seventh, still around the mark.
After Friday night, the competition will know whether there is one or two spots in the top four.
Wildcard Round is still alive.
Likely finish: 3rd
Change from last week: +1
4. Hawthorn Hawks
Current position: 4th, 60 points, 118.2%
Remaining games
Round 24: West Coast (away)
Hawthorn's draw against Collingwood opened the door for more clubs pushing for a double chance.
The Hawks' form of late is concerning, and with a tricky trip to Perth to face West Coast. The equation is simple: Win and lock up the top four. Lose, and await Melbourne, Geelong and Adelaide's performances. Wildcard Round still alive.
Likely finish: 4th
Change from last week: Nil
5. Melbourne Demons
Current position: 5th, 60 points, 111.2%
Remaining games
Round 24: Western Bulldogs (home)
The Demons' massive win over Port Adelaide kept their double chances alive as they hit the finals in strong form.
Top four is still a chance for Melbourne, but they need either Hawthorn or Brisbane to lose their Round 24 clashes, whilst also beating the Western Bulldogs.
However, a loss to the Whitten Oval club could spell danger for Steven King if Geelong and Adelaide win.
Likely finish: 5th
Change from last week: Nil
6. Geelong Cats
Current position: 6th, 56 points, 120.2%
Remaining games
Round 24: Richmond (home)
The Cats are perfectly poised to avoid the Wildcard Round after Adelaide lost to Fremantle.
Geelong just needs to win against Richmond, and they'll earn a week off. Even top four is still up for grabs, if two out of Hawthorn, Brisbane or Melbourne lose.
Likely finish: 6th
Change from last week: Nil
7. Adelaide Crows
Current position: 7th, 56 points, 117.6%
Remaining games
Round 24: GWS (home)
The Crows can still avoid the Wildcard Round, but it's looking more unlikely.
They'll need some results to go their way, but can still, technically, make the top four.
Likely finish: 7th
Change from last week: -1
8. Collingwood Magpies
Current position: 8th, 52 points, 106.1%
Remaining games
Round 24: Brisbane (home)
The Pies' strong form of late has them posing a strong chance to shake up the finals.
Locked into the Wildcard Round, they drew with Hawthorn and will remain in Melbourne at least for the next two weeks.
Craig McRae is unlikely to flirt with form, meaning they might not rest some of their stars against Brisbane.
They could slip to 9th on the ladder, but will play either the Bulldogs or Carlton in the Wildcard Round.
Likely finish: 8th
Change from last week: +1
9. Western Bulldogs
Current position: 9th, 50 points, 94.1%
Remaining games
Round 24: Melbourne (away)
The Bulldogs are limping to the line, but they showed plenty of spirit and fight in Sunday's draw with Carlton.
They should get some stars back, including Marcus Bontempelli and Bailey Dale, ahead of a date with Melbourne.
There's plenty to play out, but a loss could mean they face Adelaide in the Wildcard Round.
Likely finish: 9th
Change from last week: Nil
10. Carlton Blues
Current position: 10th, 46 points, 99.6%
Remaining games
Round 24: Fremantle (home)
The Blues have remarkably locked in a finals spot, and won't be any easy beats through September.
Carlton will get another litmus test against Fremantle this week in front of a home crowd, and if they win, they'll remain in Melbourne to play Collingwood or the Western Bulldogs.
Likely finish: 10th
Change from last week: Nil
11. St Kilda
Current position: 11th, 40 points, 104.2%
Remaining games
Round 24: Gold Coast (home)
The Saints produced a strong win over Richmond, but to no avail.
Carlton's draw with the Western Bulldogs locked up the top 10.
Likely finish: 11th
Change from last week: Nil
12. GWS Giants
Current position: 12th, 40 points, 101.8%
Remaining games
Round 24: Adelaide (away)
The Giants, like the Saints, were hopeful the Bulldogs would score at least one more point against Carlton.
GWS showed glimpses of their best against West Coast, but as they say: too little, too late.
Likely finish: 12th
Change from last week: -1
13. North Melbourne
Current position: 13th, 36 points, 90.7%
Remaining games
Round 24: Sydney (away)
North Melbourne were valiant against Geelong, and deserved the victory.
The Harry Sheezel injury hurt the Kangaroos' chances of causing an upset.
They'll head to the SCG to face Sydney, but will largely be proud of their efforts in 2026, claiming nine wins.
Likely finish: 13th
Change from last week: Nil
14. Gold Coast Suns
Current position: 14th, 32 points, 93.2%
Remaining games
Round 24: St Kilda (away)
The Suns' poor form continued against cross-town rivals Brisbane.
Gold Coast had no answers for what the Lions asked of them, putting another blip on a disappointing season.
They have the chance to finish with a win, taking on St Kilda on Thursday.
Likely finish: 14th
Change from last week: Nil
15. Port Adelaide
Current position: 15th, 24 points, 87%
Remaining games
Round 24: Essendon (away)
The Power were blown away by a much superior Melbourne outfit.
The back half of the year has been a struggle for Port Adelaide, but they should secure one more win against a lowly Essendon team.
Likely finish: 15th
Change from last week: Nil
16. West Coast Eagles
Current position: 16th, 16 points, 70.5%
Remaining games
Round 24: Hawthorn (home)
The Eagles missed an opportunity to claim a win over GWS, playing poorly on Sunday.
The return to host Hawthorn in front of a home crowd, and could shake up the top 10 with a victory.
Likely finish: 16th
Change from last week: Nil
17. Richmond Tigers
Current position: 17th, 12 points, 62.8%
Remaining games
Round 24: Geelong (away)
The Tigers were unable to get it done for the departing Dion Prestia and Nathan Broad against St Kilda.
Still, three wins with the amount of injuries and inexperience at Punt Road can be spun as a positive. But they must show better signs in games.
Likely finish: 17th
Change from last week: Nil
18. Essendon Bombers
Current position: 18th, 8 points, 63.5%
Remaining games
Round 24: Port Adelaide (home)
The Bombers are wishing away the season right now after a disastrous year.
They'll host Port Adelaide. Could they rise off the bottom?
Likely finish: 18th
Change from last week: Nil
Predicting final AFL 2026 ladder
- Fremantle Dockers - 80 points
- Sydney Swans - 72 points
- Brisbane Lions - 64 points
- Hawthorn Hawks - 64 points
- Melbourne Demons - 64 points
- Geelong Cats - 60 points
- Adelaide Crows - 60 points
- Collingwood Magpies - 52 points
- Western Bulldogs - 50 points
- Carlton Blues - 46 points
- St Kilda Saints - 44 points
- GWS Giants - 40 points
- North Melbourne Kangaroos - 36 points
- Gold Coast Suns - 32 points
- Port Adelaide Power - 28 points
- West Coast Eagles - 16 points
- Richmond Tigers - 12 points
- Essendon Bombers - 8 points
Prediction Week 1 finals
Wildcard Round 1: Adelaide (7th) vs Western Bulldogs (10th)
Wildcard Round 2: Collingwood (8th) vs Carlton (9th)
Qualifying Final 1: Fremantle (1st) vs Brisbane (4th)
Qualifying Final 2: Sydney (2nd) vs Hawthorn (3rd)
Elimination Final 1: Melbourne (5th) vs lowest-ranked Wildcard Round winner
Elimination Final 2: Geelong (6th) vs highest-ranked Wildcard Round winner
