The wooden spoon race looks like it's down to two teams this season, as Brisbane and Carlton sit rooted to the bottom of the ladder.
They have only won a game each, however Gold Coast and St Kilda are no certainty to avoid the spoon, especially if the Blues and Lions can cause an upset or two on the run home.
I have taken a look at the run home for all four teams, and have predicted which side is the likeliest to take home the spoon!
GOLD COAST (15th, 3-10)
PREDICTED FINISH ON THE LADDER: (15th, 5-17)
UPCOMING GAMES AND VENUE
Collingwood - Metricon Stadium
North Melbourne - Etihad Stadium
Essendon - Metricon Stadium
Sydney - SCG
Carlton - Metricon Stadium
Melbourne - MCG
Richmond - Metricon Stadium
Brisbane - Metricon Stadium
Geelong - GMHBA Stadium
Two huge games against Carlton and Brisbane could be the difference between where the Suns will finish on the ladder. They should win both of these games which will take them to five wins and 20 points.
ST KILDA (16th, 2-9-1)
PREDICTED FINISH ON THE LADDER: (16th, 4-17-1)
UPCOMING GAMES AND VENUE
Melbourne – MCG
Port Adelaide – Adelaide Oval
Carlton – Etihad Stadium
Richmond – Etihad Stadium
GWS – Spotless Stadium
Western Bulldogs – Etihad Stadium
Essendon – Etihad Stadium
Hawthorn - Etihad Stadium
North Melbourne – Etihad Stadium
Six of the Saints' last nine games will be at Etihad Stadium, however there is no win guaranteed. They take on fellow bottom four side Carlton in a few weeks' time and that game could have big ramifications for the loser.
They also have a game against the Bulldogs who are injury depleted and could win that one too. If they win two of their last nine that will see them finish on 16th on the ladder with 18 points.
BRISBANE (17th, 1-12)
PREDICTED FINISH ON THE LADDER: (18th, 1-21)
UPCOMING GAMES AND VENUE
Fremantle - Optus Stadium
Carlton - Gabba
Hawthorn - University of Tasmania Stadium
Adelaide - Gabba
Geelong - GMHBA Stadium
North Melbourne - Gabba
Collingwood - Etihad Stadium
Gold Coast - Metricon Stadium
West Coast - Gabba
The Lions have struggled for the majority of the season, and while they have played some good football at times, a quick look at their draw for the remainder of 2018 doesn't look great.
Obviously, games against Carlton and Gold Coast loom as potential spoon deciders, but the Blues and Suns could very well both start as favourites for those games, meaning the Lions will be underdogs from here on out.
They might grab one win, but given they won't be favoured to win any game, it's hard to confidently tip a positive result over the next nine weeks.
CARLTON (17th, 1-12)
PREDICTED FINISH ON THE LADDER: (17th, 2-20)
UPCOMING GAMES AND VENUE
Port Adelaide - MCG
Brisbane - Gabba
St Kilda - Etihad Stadium
Hawthorn - Etihad Stadium
Gold Coast - Metricon Stadium
GWS - Etihad Stadium
Fremantle - Optus Stadium
Western Bulldogs - Etihad Stadium
Adelaide - Etihad Stadium
The battle for this year’s wooden spoon could very well come down to the big clash at the Gabba in Round 16 as both teams are currently equal on one win each. It is very hard to choose a winner in this one, however Brisbane are without Charlie Cameron and their gun defender Harris Andrews who is out for a couple of weeks with concussion.
I am therefore tipping the Blues to win this one and therefore the Blues will finish the minor round on two wins and avoid the wooden spoon and the Lions will finish the year bottom of the ladder.
