There are a number of teams that are fighting for a finals berth this year as seemingly year-on-year the list grows of teams that can sneak into the eight.
Richmond, West Coast, Geelong, Brisbane and Port Adelaide loom as the most likely to dominate top four discussions, but who are the boomers coming from the cellar for a top eight slot?
The trend with most teams in this cluster is that consistency isn't their best friend, hence why they finish just about square at the ledger.
So, we have decided to take you through why each team in this group can, and maybe more importantly, can't make finals.
4. Greater Western Sydney
Why they can
They have star power! Amazing that a side can lose Jeremy Cameron and Zac Williams and still have so many big names across the board. It's hard to think a side with the likes of Stephen Coniglio, Lachie Whitfield, Josh Kelly, Toby Greene and Nick Haynes wouldn't make the eight.
Midfielder
Disposals
Tackles
Clearances
Two years ago they played off in a grand final with an injury depleted side. Yes they've lost some troops from that day but there is class across every line for the Giants.
They know how to get to September and they get away from hubs - which clearly didn't do them any favors. They can settle back into the Sydney lifestyle and find their groove again.
Why they can't
It seems impossible that a side that missed the finals can lose their best forward (and arguably best player) and their best running defender and improve enough to make the eight.
Jesse Hogan doesn't seem like the answer, and Braydon Preuss is going to miss a fair chunk of the season, leaving fresh-faced Matthew Flynn to take the number one ruck duties.
Their ball movement became slow and lethargic last season and sides were able to defend against it rather easily. The Giants looked meek come season's end and didn't look like they wanted to play finals. They will need to find the hunger again to get close.
