Your guide to round 24: The games that will shape the top eight
So tight is the race that only six premiership points separate the third-placed Brisbane Lions from the ninth-placed Suns, with four teams equal on 15 wins, separated by 14.5 per cent.
The surging Crows, meanwhile, have one hand on top spot, and the McClelland Trophy – the AFL's least appreciated team award. Geelong have one hand on second.
Collingwood, who were 10 points clear on top a month ago, have crashed to the point they could even slip from the top four should they lose to Melbourne, while Brisbane's home clash against Hawthorn on Sunday night shapes as an early final.
Indeed, Sunday is sure to be must-watch viewing, with so much riding on all three games.
However, the final ladder won't be confirmed until Wednesday night's rescheduled clash between the Gold Coast and Essendon.
Here are the games that will shape the top eight.
Collingwood (Fourth, 15 wins, 7 losses) v Melbourne (14th, 7 wins, 15 losses)
Friday, 7.10pm, MCG
What's on the line: Plenty. The Magpies were 10 points clear on top of the ladder a month ago; now they are fighting to preserve a top-four finish, having dropped five of their past six games. It's been a stunning tumble, and they now must knock over the Demons, ideally with a strong percentage boost, to preserve the double chance. While they could still finish second, the Giants, Dockers and Suns could yet usurp them depending on results. Should they lose, the Magpies almost certainly will slip to fifth – or lower – depending on percentage.
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The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Coach weighs in as AFL grants Crows' wish over slur ban
Adelaide and Izak Rankine remain in discussions with the AFL over his pending ban for a homophobic slur, as a rival coach says the star Crow should not be demonised for his mistake. The AFL on Wednesday granted the Crows' request for additional time to respond to the league's proposed sanction, which reportedly includes a five-match ban that would end Rankine's season. Talks between Adelaide's hierarchy and the AFL will now stretch into a fifth day. Rankine is set to be the sixth AFL-listed player suspended for a homophobic remark to an opponent in the past 16 months. The 25-year-old is facing a ban after admitting making a homophobic slur to a Collingwood opponent during Adelaide's three-point win last Saturday night. Rankine apologised to the unnamed Magpie player on Sunday as the AFL's integrity unit launched an investigation. Collingwood coach Craig McRae, asked on Wednesday if his player involved was OK, replied: "Yeah, I think so. "We had a good chat over the weekend and then again Monday morning just to check in, it's about making sure our players are safe. "But I don't want to demonise Izak either. "Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, and the young lad seems like a really respectful young man and he's made an error. "The AFL will take their own course on that, but you're allowed to make mistakes too." Rankine risks being suspended for the entire finals campaign of ladder-leading Adelaide, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The Crows have one home-and-away game remaining and are then assured of hosting two finals. Rankine didn't train with his teammates on Wednesday afternoon as Adelaide postponed a scheduled media conference with coach Matthew Nicks until Friday. Approached by reporters at training, Nicks said Rankine is "doing all right" with support from the club. Nicks admitted the intense spotlight in recent days had been a distraction for the Crows ahead of their clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. "But no, we're locked in on what we're doing this weekend," Nicks said. "We just put support around Izak because it is a tough thing to go through, and he knows it's going to be tough from here. "But we'll work our way through it." Last month West Coast's Jack Graham was banned for four games for making a homophobic remark to a GWS player. In April last year, Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three games, then the following month Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches, both for homophobic slurs. Finlayson was banned for a comment to an Essendon player in last year's Gather Round. Bombers coach Brad Scott said that followed an incident in the 2024 pre-season when an Essendon player made a remark that was picked up on a recording of the team meeting. "The player, they thought it was an innocent comment," Scott told reporters on Wednesday. "It was picked up on the microphone, I addressed it then and there, because ... if you make a comment like that and it's picked up on-field by an umpire's mic, there'll be severe ramifications. "Clearly I couldn't foresee what was going to happen in Gather Round and in subsequent suspensions for those things." Scott again addressed such slurs with his players after Finlayson's ban. "It's disappointing it keeps happening, but we have got to keep educating," he said. "I have a high level of confidence that we don't have a homophobia issue in our game, we have just got a lack of education issue. "And players who, in moments of frustration, use words that they really don't understand the ramifications of the words they're using, but now they do, so there's no excuse." Two VFL players have also recently been banned for directing homophobic slurs at opponents. Sydney defender Riak Andrew last month was suspended for five matches for an anti-gay slur while playing for the Swans' reserves team against North Melbourne. And in July last year, St Kilda's Lance Collard was banned for six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578 Adelaide and Izak Rankine remain in discussions with the AFL over his pending ban for a homophobic slur, as a rival coach says the star Crow should not be demonised for his mistake. The AFL on Wednesday granted the Crows' request for additional time to respond to the league's proposed sanction, which reportedly includes a five-match ban that would end Rankine's season. Talks between Adelaide's hierarchy and the AFL will now stretch into a fifth day. Rankine is set to be the sixth AFL-listed player suspended for a homophobic remark to an opponent in the past 16 months. The 25-year-old is facing a ban after admitting making a homophobic slur to a Collingwood opponent during Adelaide's three-point win last Saturday night. Rankine apologised to the unnamed Magpie player on Sunday as the AFL's integrity unit launched an investigation. Collingwood coach Craig McRae, asked on Wednesday if his player involved was OK, replied: "Yeah, I think so. "We had a good chat over the weekend and then again Monday morning just to check in, it's about making sure our players are safe. "But I don't want to demonise Izak either. "Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, and the young lad seems like a really respectful young man and he's made an error. "The AFL will take their own course on that, but you're allowed to make mistakes too." Rankine risks being suspended for the entire finals campaign of ladder-leading Adelaide, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The Crows have one home-and-away game remaining and are then assured of hosting two finals. Rankine didn't train with his teammates on Wednesday afternoon as Adelaide postponed a scheduled media conference with coach Matthew Nicks until Friday. Approached by reporters at training, Nicks said Rankine is "doing all right" with support from the club. Nicks admitted the intense spotlight in recent days had been a distraction for the Crows ahead of their clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. "But no, we're locked in on what we're doing this weekend," Nicks said. "We just put support around Izak because it is a tough thing to go through, and he knows it's going to be tough from here. "But we'll work our way through it." Last month West Coast's Jack Graham was banned for four games for making a homophobic remark to a GWS player. In April last year, Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three games, then the following month Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches, both for homophobic slurs. Finlayson was banned for a comment to an Essendon player in last year's Gather Round. Bombers coach Brad Scott said that followed an incident in the 2024 pre-season when an Essendon player made a remark that was picked up on a recording of the team meeting. "The player, they thought it was an innocent comment," Scott told reporters on Wednesday. "It was picked up on the microphone, I addressed it then and there, because ... if you make a comment like that and it's picked up on-field by an umpire's mic, there'll be severe ramifications. "Clearly I couldn't foresee what was going to happen in Gather Round and in subsequent suspensions for those things." Scott again addressed such slurs with his players after Finlayson's ban. "It's disappointing it keeps happening, but we have got to keep educating," he said. "I have a high level of confidence that we don't have a homophobia issue in our game, we have just got a lack of education issue. "And players who, in moments of frustration, use words that they really don't understand the ramifications of the words they're using, but now they do, so there's no excuse." Two VFL players have also recently been banned for directing homophobic slurs at opponents. Sydney defender Riak Andrew last month was suspended for five matches for an anti-gay slur while playing for the Swans' reserves team against North Melbourne. And in July last year, St Kilda's Lance Collard was banned for six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578 Adelaide and Izak Rankine remain in discussions with the AFL over his pending ban for a homophobic slur, as a rival coach says the star Crow should not be demonised for his mistake. The AFL on Wednesday granted the Crows' request for additional time to respond to the league's proposed sanction, which reportedly includes a five-match ban that would end Rankine's season. Talks between Adelaide's hierarchy and the AFL will now stretch into a fifth day. Rankine is set to be the sixth AFL-listed player suspended for a homophobic remark to an opponent in the past 16 months. The 25-year-old is facing a ban after admitting making a homophobic slur to a Collingwood opponent during Adelaide's three-point win last Saturday night. Rankine apologised to the unnamed Magpie player on Sunday as the AFL's integrity unit launched an investigation. Collingwood coach Craig McRae, asked on Wednesday if his player involved was OK, replied: "Yeah, I think so. "We had a good chat over the weekend and then again Monday morning just to check in, it's about making sure our players are safe. "But I don't want to demonise Izak either. "Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, and the young lad seems like a really respectful young man and he's made an error. "The AFL will take their own course on that, but you're allowed to make mistakes too." Rankine risks being suspended for the entire finals campaign of ladder-leading Adelaide, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The Crows have one home-and-away game remaining and are then assured of hosting two finals. Rankine didn't train with his teammates on Wednesday afternoon as Adelaide postponed a scheduled media conference with coach Matthew Nicks until Friday. Approached by reporters at training, Nicks said Rankine is "doing all right" with support from the club. Nicks admitted the intense spotlight in recent days had been a distraction for the Crows ahead of their clash with North Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Saturday. "But no, we're locked in on what we're doing this weekend," Nicks said. "We just put support around Izak because it is a tough thing to go through, and he knows it's going to be tough from here. "But we'll work our way through it." Last month West Coast's Jack Graham was banned for four games for making a homophobic remark to a GWS player. In April last year, Port Adelaide's Jeremy Finlayson was banned for three games, then the following month Gold Coast's Wil Powell was suspended for five matches, both for homophobic slurs. Finlayson was banned for a comment to an Essendon player in last year's Gather Round. Bombers coach Brad Scott said that followed an incident in the 2024 pre-season when an Essendon player made a remark that was picked up on a recording of the team meeting. "The player, they thought it was an innocent comment," Scott told reporters on Wednesday. "It was picked up on the microphone, I addressed it then and there, because ... if you make a comment like that and it's picked up on-field by an umpire's mic, there'll be severe ramifications. "Clearly I couldn't foresee what was going to happen in Gather Round and in subsequent suspensions for those things." Scott again addressed such slurs with his players after Finlayson's ban. "It's disappointing it keeps happening, but we have got to keep educating," he said. "I have a high level of confidence that we don't have a homophobia issue in our game, we have just got a lack of education issue. "And players who, in moments of frustration, use words that they really don't understand the ramifications of the words they're using, but now they do, so there's no excuse." Two VFL players have also recently been banned for directing homophobic slurs at opponents. Sydney defender Riak Andrew last month was suspended for five matches for an anti-gay slur while playing for the Swans' reserves team against North Melbourne. And in July last year, St Kilda's Lance Collard was banned for six games for homophobic comments while playing in the VFL for Sandringham against Williamstown. Lifeline 13 11 14 beyondblue 1300 22 4636 Fullstop Australia 1800 385 578
7NEWS
9 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Adelaide Crows point to AFL double standards as Snoop Dogg gets dragged into Izak Rankine saga
As the AFL grants the Adelaide Crows additional time to respond to its proposed 'determinations' on the Izak Rankine slur saga, new details have emerged about the Crows' bid to free their player. Although he's not officially part their final submission, US rapper Snoop Dogg's name has been raised by the Crows. Snoop Dogg has been booked by the AFL to perform at this year's grand final, and at least one of his songs (Doggz Gonna Get Ya) includes the offensive homophobic word (f*****) that Rankine used. So, as the footy world waits for the verdict that will have massive implications on this year's finals series, the AFL issued a short statement on Wednesday. 'The AFL advises that the Adelaide Crows have requested additional time to respond to the AFL's proposed determinations regarding an alleged incident with player Izak Rankine,' the statement said. 'The AFL has granted this request and will provide an update on the matter tomorrow.' Meanwhile, 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary said the AFL's proposal of a five-match ban for Rankine was in line with previous homophobic slurs, but the Crows were trying to have it reduced. 'It's understood the Crows have informally raised the AFL's double standards, including the call to have Snoop Dogg perform on grand final day,' Cleary said. 'But it won't form part of their formal submission the Crows enter to the AFL tonight.' On Wednesday Rankine received support from his coach, Matthew Nick, as well as an unlikely source in Collingwood coach Craig McRae. Nicks said: 'We put support around Izak because it is a tough thing to go through, and he knows it's going to be tough from here and we'll work our way through it.' The AFL has proposed a ban of five games on the table, which will keep Rankine out of the finals. With a lesser ban, it is possible the star player might be able to feature in the grand final, if the Crows make it that far. But Adelaide contend that a five-match ban during finals carries far more weight than five games during the home and away season. McRae said he didn't want to 'demonise' Rankine. 'Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, and the young lad seems like a really respectful young man and he's made an error,' McRae said. 'The AFL will take their own course on that, but you're allowed to make mistakes too.' Last night 7NEWS revealed that Collingwood players felt compelled to escalate Rankine's homophobic slur internally following in part due to an alleged incident several years ago. It's understood multiple Magpies players are of the belief that Rankine delivered a similar slur towards an opponent in a previous match against Collingwood.
Sydney Morning Herald
10 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Leave a bit of hope for me': Bobby Hill to miss again, finals unlikely
'But he's well aware that time's running out for getting enough load and then to be available. I stepped straight back into love and care and said, 'Nah, let's just get him right day by day'.' Loading Hill, who won the Norm Smith Medal in Collingwood's 2023 premiership, has played just one senior game in the past two months. He was the sub in that game and only came on late. Collingwood have struggled in attack with him out of the side. He was sorely missed in the three-point loss to Adelaide last week when the Magpies had 34 more inside 50s than Adelaide but were unable to kick a winning score. In such congestion, the loss of Hill's speed and ability to find space to conjure a goal was telling. Likewise, the Magpies' defence has struggled as they have lost five of their past six matches during which Jeremy Howe missed all but the loss to Hawthorn, when he was knocked out in the opening two minutes. Howe is now through the concussion protocols and will return for Collingwood's final home-and-away match of the season against Melbourne on Friday night. 'Howey will come back and his experience is important to us. I think he'll play our system really well,' McRae said. Collingwood's tall forwards all had bad games against Adelaide on a night when they had 71 inside 50s, with Brody Mihocek dropping chest marks, Tim Membrey unable to find space, and Dan McStay unsighted. With McStay required as the second ruck, it has prompted the question of whether McRae goes back to veteran Mason Cox. 'We're working hard with Dan to get him moving and be part of our best team,' McRae said. 'There's a lot of work behind the scenes to work on his craft, jump at the ball well, and fit into our patterns.' Meanwhile, veteran premiership player Will Hoskin-Elliott has announced his retirement as of the end of the season. Hoskin-Elliott, part of the 2023 Collingwood premiership team, was dropped for the Pies' round 23 game against the Crows and has struggled this year. The No.4 pick in the 2011 national draft has played 242 games – 52 of them for the Giants, who drafted him. The utility has plugged holes as a running defender, forward and wingman. He has a strong overhead game, meaning he's even been able to play as a third tall forward target.
