The upstart Adelaide Crows (18-5 record) are the 2025 AFL minor premiers after a superb season under Matthew Nicks, while the final spot in the top eight is still to be decided between Gold Coast and the Bulldogs.
The Dogs and Suns are locked on 56 points for the season, so if Damien Hardwick's side overcomes Essendon on Wednesday night, they will secure a first September appearance in club history.
The Cats, Lions and Pies round out the crucial top four, followed by GWS, Fremantle and the Hawks.
So what is the path to the AFL grand final and 2025 glory?
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Why is the AFL top four so important?
You hear every year about the importance of snatching one of the coveted positions in the top four.
That's because those teams can afford to lose a game and still win the flag courtesy of the double chance.
They face off in qualifying finals, with first taking on fourth and second hosting third, this year equating to Adelaide against the Pies and Geelong versus reigning premiers Brisbane
If you win a qualifying final, you get an armchair ride to the preliminary finals as well as a week off to rest those aching bodies.
The losing teams from the qualifying final round slip into the semi-finals the following week.
It's worth noting only the fifth-placed Crows back in 1998 and seventh-placed Bulldogs in 2016 have won a flag after finishing outside the top four.
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Which AFL finals are single-game elimination?
The knockout games kick off with the aptly named elimination finals, with fifth hosting eighth and sixth welcoming seventh to their home ground.
This year, the Giants will play in Sydney against either the Suns, Hawks or Bulldogs depending on the result of that Suns-Bombers game.
Thanks to their critical victory over the Bulldogs on Sunday, the Dockers will host either the Hawks or the Suns in Perth.
The teams that lose the elimination finals can start planning their holidays, while the winning teams progress to the semi-final round.
What happens in the AFL semi-final round?
The teams that lose the qualifying finals then host the semi-finals the following week.
The side that loses the first vs fourth match-up hosts the winner of fifth vs eighth. The club that loses the second vs third showdown takes on the winner of the sixth vs seventh clash.
The winner of those two matches progress to the preliminary final on the penultimate weekend of the season.
How do you reach the AFL grand final?
The two victors from the preliminary final round progress to the grand final, typically on the last Saturday in September.
As per AFL tradition, the grand final is always held at the MCG, with the majority of tickets allocated to members and fans of the two competing teams.
What time is the AFL grand final?
There has been increased talk of the league switching to a night grand final for its marquee match, which many believe would increase viewing numbers and interest.
The AFL has stuck firmly to tradition to date, however, with this year's game again to commence at 2.30pm AEST.
AFL FINALS FIXTURE
| Date/Time (AEST) | Fixture | Venue |
First Qualifying Final Thu Sept 4 7:40pm | Adelaide vs. Collingwood | Adelaide Oval |
Second Qualifying Final Fri Sept 5 7:40pm | Geelong vs. Brisbane | MCG |
First Elimination Final Sat Sept 6 3:15pm | GWS vs. Hawthorn | ENGIE Stadium |
Second Elimination Final Sat Sept 6 7:35pm | Fremantle vs. Gold Coast | Optus Stadium |