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Round 12 match-up: Hawthorn
Prediction: Win
North’s season has been ridiculous. The team stepped up another gear after winning last year’s premiership undefeated. They are likely to rest players before their first final, even though their opposition is second-placed Hawthorn, a team they have not played, ever, even though the Hawks entered the competition four seasons ago. I still expect the Kangaroos to win. How could you tip against them?
Best case: First. Worst case: First.
Hawthorn
The Hawks are second on the ladder with nine wins, two losses (36 points) and 118.3 per cent
Round 12 match-up: North Melbourne
Prediction: Loss
The Hawks’ loss to Port Adelaide in round 10 will cost them a top two spot, but that is not the worst of it as they may face North Melbourne again in their qualifying final. Of course, the bonus of losing both games is their path to the grand final would be on the other side of the draw to North Melbourne.
Best case: Second. Worst case: Fourth.
Melbourne
The Demons are third on the ladder with eight wins, three losses (32 points) and 221.6 per cent
Round 12 match-up: Geelong
Prediction: Win
Expect them to defeat the Cats, who are clinging on to the remotest of remote chances of making the eight. The Demons have too much class for the Cats and will land a top-two spot with a win giving them a chance to slot into a home preliminary final and avoid the Kangaroos until the grand final.
Best case: Second. Worst case: Fourth.
Brisbane Lions
The Lions are fourth on the ladder with eight wins, three losses (32 points) and 161.7 per cent
Round 12 match-up: Collingwood
Prediction: Win
The Lions will thrash Collingwood – who returned to the winners’ list on Sunday – to finish third even though their path to the grand final might be easier if they were to finish fourth. The Lions have won their past five matches so will head into finals in good form and confident they can upset the ladder leaders.
Best case: Second. Worst case: Fourth.
Carlton
The Blues are fifth on the ladder with seven wins, four losses (28 points) and 113.3 per cent
Round 12 match-up: West Coast
Prediction: Loss
A trip to Perth is not the best way to finish a strong campaign that has led to a well-earned finals spot. The Eagles, however, should just do enough to defeat the Blues, who bounced back from patchy form to thrash the disappointing Giants in round 11.
Best case: Fifth. Worst case: Ninth.
West Coast coach Daisy Pearce shares a moment with Georgie Cleaver. A win over Carlton will give her a finals berth in her second season as coach. Credit: Getty Images
St Kilda
The Saints are sixth on the ladder with seven wins, four losses (28 points) and 96.3 per cent
Round 12 match-up: Western Bulldogs
Prediction: Win
North Melbourne smashed any pretence that St Kilda were premiership contenders on Sunday, bringing the Saints’ six-match winning streak to an end. They had a good win over the Blues in that run and deserve their spot, but a gap remains between them and the top four.
Best case: Fifth. Worst case: Ninth.
West Coast
The Eagles are seventh on the ladder with six wins, five losses (24 points) and 118.1 per cent
Round 12 match-up: Carlton
Prediction: Win
Daisy Pearce has helped the Eagles make that step to being a much better team at home than away with their come-from-behind win over St Kilda in Moorabbin the one they needed to be a chance to make finals. They have a tough battle against the Blues ahead to confirm a finals spot but at home they should have the edge, just.
Best case: Fifth. Worst case: Ninth.
Adelaide
The Crows are eighth on the ladder with six wins, five losses (24 points) and 109.7 per cent
Round 12 match-up: Fremantle
Prediction: Win
It’s somewhat unfamiliar territory for one of the competition’s most dominant teams – they have dropped games they weren’t expected to lose in 2025. They haven’t adjusted to the running game as quickly as others, losing the edge their strength gave them. The Dockers are a tricky opponent for the Crows, but they are too proud a club to drop this opportunity at home. However, the margin is as critical as the four points as the Swans threaten to overtake them on percentage.
Best case: Sixth. Worst case: 10th.
Sydney
The Swans are ninth on the ladder with six wins, five losses (24 points) and 108.4 per cent
Round 12 match-up: Essendon
Prediction: Win
All the Swans can do is win comfortably and hope either the Dockers upset the Crows or, if the Crows win, the Swans push past them on percentage and leapfrog into the eight. I expect the Swans to defeat the disappointing Bombers but the second part of the equation will be out of their control. The Swans have done an outstanding job with a tough draw. Will they be left to rue back to back losses mid-season against Collingwood and the Giants?
Best case: Fifth. Worst case: Ninth.
The Swans will have plenty of support in the final round as they vie for a finals spot. Credit: via Getty Images
Fremantle
The Dockers are 10th on the ladder with six wins, five losses (24 points) and 82.2 per cent
Round 12 match-up: Adelaide
Prediction: Loss
Their percentage makes a finals berth unlikely, but the Dockers remain an even money chance of upsetting Adelaide in the final game when everyone will know the equation required for them to make finals. The Dockers’ start was always going to be tough, but they lost too much ground in the opening four rounds to compete.
Best case: Seventh. Worst case: 12th.
