THE FINALS picture is almost complete with just one game to go in the home and away season.
Gold Coast will face Essendon on Wednesday night and the equation is simple; win or draw and they’ll play finals, lose and they’ll miss out.
But it’s a bit more complicated than that, with positions seven and eight on the ladder still far from decided.
Here are all the permutations you need to know.
Wednesday, August 27
Gold Coast v Essendon at People First Stadium, 7.20pm AEST
If the Suns win
– They will secure a finals spot for the first time in their history
– If the Suns gain 0.9 per cent to pass the Hawks on percentage, they will face play Fremantle in an elimination final in Perth
– As an example, the following wins would see Gold Coast go past the Hawks: 100-71, 95-66, 90-62 or 85-58
– If the Suns are unable to pass the Hawks on percentage, they will face GWS in an elimination final in Sydney
If the Bombers win
– Gold Coast will, incredibly, miss finals, given its percentage (120.1) is significantly worse than the Western Bulldogs’ (137). It would mean the Dogs would make the eight and face the Giants in an elimination final
If it’s a draw
– The Suns will finish eighth and play GWS in an elimination final
Xavier Duursma kicks the ball while under pressure from Brayden Fiorini during Essendon’s clash against Gold Coast in round 17, 2025. Picture: Getty Images
Take a look below for the other round 24 results and what they meant to the finals make up.
Friday, August 22
– The Magpies will finish the home and away season in fourth and travel to Adelaide for a qualifying final against Adelaide
– Gold Coast’s top-four chances are over
– The Suns will need to beat Essendon on the final day of the home and away season to clinch a first-ever finals berth and knock the Bulldogs out of the race
– If the Suns beat Essendon and gain 0.9 per cent to pass the Hawks on percentage, they will face Fremantle in Perth in an elimination final
– As an example, the following wins would see Gold Coast go past the Hawks: 100-71, 95-66, 90-62 or 85-58
Saturday, August 23
– The Crows have clinched the minor premiership and will host a qualifying final against Collingwood
– The Cats have secured second place on the ladder and will host Brisbane in their qualifying final
Sunday, August 24
– The Giants will finish fifth and host an elimination final against one of Hawthorn, Gold Coast or the Western Bulldogs
– The Dockers have clinched sixth spot and will host an elimination final against Hawthorn or Gold Coast
– The Bulldogs will miss the finals unless the Suns lose to Essendon on Wednesday night. If the Suns do lose, the Dogs will travel to Sydney to face GWS in an elimination final
– The Lions clinched third spot and will travel to Victoria to face Geelong in a qualifying final
– The Hawks will finish either seventh or eighth, depending on the result of Gold Coast’s game against Essendon
– If the Suns lose, the Hawks will finish seventh and face Fremantle in an elimination final in Perth
– If the Suns win and gain 0.9 per cent to pass the Hawks on percentage, they will face the Dockers and the Hawks will play GWS in an elimination final in Sydney
– As an example, the following wins would see Gold Coast go past the Hawks: 100-71, 95-66, 90-62 or 85-58
