The 2025 season has passed the three-quarter mark, and as the final stretch of the season approaches, AFL fans are being spoiled with a number of season-defining clashes.
Whether it's a top-of-the-table clash in Round 21 or a potential "wildcard" game in Round 24, the AFL has truly saved some of its best fixtures for last.
We've picked the ten games that will have a massive say on September's outlook.
1Round 19
Collingwood vs Fremantle
This clash between the Magpies and Dockers appears to have repercussions extending beyond the full-time result on Sunday evening. Fremantle are building momentum toward a post-season berth, having won seven of their last eight matches - a streak which began following their loss to Collingwood in Round 9. Collingwood, on the other hand, enter this match as vulnerable as they've been all season, going goalless for a half against Gold Coast and kicking their lowest score since Round 4.
A win for Fremantle would bolster their top-four chances significantly while diminishing Collingwood's ladder lead to potentially just two points. It's their last opportunity to play at the MCG until September, so this will be a massive litmus test that could prove their capability to win on the hallowed turf. What better way than to do so against the ladder leaders?
Was the Gold Coast loss just a small misstep, or have the Pies peaked too early? If Collingwood convincingly wins this match, it will quash any doubts surrounding their status as premiership favourite and place one hand firmly on the minor premiership.
Adelaide vs Gold Coast
It's hard to forget the extra stakes in this contest. Last time they met, the Suns held on to win by a point in a thrilling contest on the Gold Coast, but there was controversy surrounding a missed free kick to Izak Rankine, which would have given the Adelaide forward a chance to win the game in the final minute.
Not only that, but there were fireworks between Crows spearhead Riley Thilthorpe and Suns young gun Mac Andrew. With Thilthorpe coming off a six-goal haul, the matchup will be an enthralling watch once again.
A Crows win would give fans plenty of confidence that they will secure the double chance, but another Suns stunner would see them improve to 12-5, meaning the two clubs would be only split by percentage with a month of football to go. If there's any game that poses as essentially an 'eight-pointer', it's this one.
So you DONT think the Crows v Pies in rnd 23 shape the 8!
OMG โ do you even know about footy outside Victoria??