One round remains in the Peter Jackson VFL season, with the top eight positions on the Bailey Ladders ladder yet to be finalised.
Just one spot remains open as Werribee and Geelong fight it out for the final position in the VFL Legendairy Finals Series.
Port Melbourne is the only side with a cemented position on the ladder entering Round 20, claiming its third minor premiership since 2008 with a win over Northern Blues last week. Consistent performers, the Borough have earned a top four spot and double chance in six out of the last seven seasons.
Two points separate the next three clubs that will battle it out for the chance of a home final.
Footscray and Williamstown are both locked on 52 points, with Box Hill Hawks half a game behind on 50.
The equation is simple for the Bulldogs – win against Richmond on Sunday and they lock in second spot and a home final at VU Whitten Oval. Lose, and both Williamstown and Box Hill Hawks could leapfrog them if either of them win on the weekend.
For Williamstown to gain second spot, they need to beat Sandringham Saturday, and have Richmond defeat Footscray.
The task to gain second spot is a lot more difficult for Box Hill Hawks, needing firstly to defeat Northern Blues and then have both Footscray and Williamstown lose in Round 20 to be able to jump into second spot and host a final at Box Hill City Oval.
As we move down the ladder to positions five to eight, the final positions remain wide open with Werribee still a chance to finish in sixth spot, despite still not having locked in a finals berth.
Collingwood will finish in its current fifth spot if they defeat Bendigo on Friday night under lights at the QEO in the Gold’s final game in the VFL.
A long list of injuries at AFL level last weekend for the Magpies will test the depth of talent at VFL level, and they are going to face a Bendigo team determined to farewell the competition on a high. If Collingwood lose, they can only drop as far as sixth spot, if North Ballarat wins on the weekend.
North Ballarat, in sixth, face ladder leaders Port Melbourne in the final round. They can finish as high as fifth if they win and Collingwood is defeated, or as low as eighth if they lose, and Sandringham and Werribee win in Round 20.
Sandringham sits in seventh spot after booking a finals berth last weekend, and is currently on a three game winning streak as they host Williamstown.
They can finish as high as sixth if they beat the Seagulls and North Ballarat is defeated, or as low as eighth if they lose, and Werribee wins in the final game of the season.
In the battle for the final spot in the finals, the equation is a simple one – Werribee defeats Frankston and they will be in the finals for the fourth successive year. Should they lose, it will come down to percentage if Geelong defeats Essendon.
What adds to the intrigue is the equation will be known by Werribee at around 10:30pm Friday night, with the Cats hosting the Bombers under lights at Simonds Stadium.
If it does come down to percentage, the Tigers will know the maximum margin they can be defeated by to hold a spot in the finals – but that will be the last thing on their mind wanting to break a three game losing streak entering the finals.
- CLICK HERE for all the finals information regarding dates and prices
Visit the website Thursday for the list of eligible AFL players for the VFL Legendairy Finals Series.
Photos: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 20/08/2014 15:35