With just one weekend to go in one of the tightest home and away seasons in the AFL era, 10 fanbases still have dreams of September.

Whether topping the table with a game to play or requiring multiple bolts of divine intervention, here are the permutations facing each of this season's finals aspirants.

1. Collingwood

Current points and percentage: 68pts/123.2%
Remaining fixture: Essendon (A)

The minor premiership will belong to Collingwood provided they get over the line against a desperate Essendon outfit. If not, the Pies will be hoping St Kilda can upset the Brisbane Lions at their Gabba fortress.

2. Brisbane Lions

Current points and percentage: 64pts/123.2%
Remaining fixture: St Kilda (H)

A win over the Saints, coupled with a Collingwood loss at the hands of the Bombers, will secure the minor premiership for the Lions. However, if St Kilda triumphs at the Gabba on Saturday and both Port Adelaide and Melbourne win their respective matchups, the Lions will finish in fourth position; coughing up their home final.

3. Port Adelaide

Current points and percentage: 64pts/111.5%
Remaining fixture: Richmond (H)

Mathematically, the Power can be minor premiers if they absolutely belt Richmond and Collingwood suffer a hefty loss to Essendon. They'll finish in second if they beat Richmond and the Lions fall to the Saints at home. Even with a loss, Port Adelaide can remain third if Sydney beats Melbourne. However, they'll fall to fourth spot if the Tigers triumph and the Dees defeat the Swans.

4. Melbourne

Current points and percentage: 60pts/124.8%
Remaining fixture: Sydney Swans (A)

The Demons are locked into a top-four spot, so they can't fall below fourth thanks to Sunday's win over Hawthorn. However, they can climb as high as the second seed if they defeat Sydney at the SCG and the Lions and Power both lose their respective matchups.

5. Carlton

Current points and percentage: 54pts/116.1%
Remaining fixture: GWS Giants (H)

While the Blues can't reach any higher than their current fifth-place seeding, they will want to solidify that positioning with a win over GWS. Otherwise, they're in danger of falling below the Saints, and even the Swans, depending on percentage. Carlton can't mathematically finish lower than seventh position.

6. St Kilda

Current points and percentage: 52pts/108.9%
Remaining fixture: Brisbane Lions (A)

The Saints can climb as high as fifth spot with a win over Brisbane on Saturday. However, they can also fall to as low as eighth place with a loss if Sydney and GWS claim wins against their respective opponents.

7. Sydney Swans

Current points and percentage: 50pts/111.6%
Remaining fixture: Melbourne (H)

The Swans can mathematically finish as high as fifth place but would need the weight of results to go their way, including a St Kilda loss to Brisbane and a heavy Carlton defeat at the hands of the Giants. They'd also need to convincingly beat the Demons at the SCG this Sunday afternoon.

8. GWS Giants

Current points and percentage: 48pts/105.6%
Remaining fixture: Carlton (A)

GWS can climb as high as sixth spot with a victory over the Blues, provided the Saints and Swans each lose their respective matchups with Brisbane and Melbourne. However, the Giants can also fall out of the eight completely if they're beaten by Carlton and the Bulldogs get over the top of Geelong. A miraculous Essendon result could also see the Giants overtaken by the Bombers if Carlton emerges victorious on Sunday.

9. Western Bulldogs

Current points and percentage: 44pts/107.6%
Remaining fixture: Geelong (A)

The equation is simple for the Western Bulldogs: beat the Cats on Saturday night at GMHBA Stadium and pray the Blues topple the Giants at Marvel Stadium on Sunday. If those scenarios eventuate, the Dogs will finish in eighth position and play in an elimination final. They lose in Geelong and their season is definitively over.

10. Essendon

Current points and percentage: 44pts/92.7%
Remaining fixture:ย Collingwood (H)

It's unlikely Essendon will be playing finals this season unless a miracle occurs at the MCG on Friday night and the Giants are belted by the Blues on Sunday. The Bombers' absolute belting at the hands of GWS last weekend has, in all likelihood, cost Brad Scott's men their chance at participating in September action this year.