The VFL run home, predicted ladder and finals

1st, 15-1, 180.54%STREAK: Won 12 (2026: WWWLbWWWWWWWWbWWWW)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def Casey (53, Casey Fields); def St Kilda (26, RSEA Park); def Richmond (82, GMHBA Stadium); def Frankston (52, Kinetic Stadium); def Southport (47, Fankhauser Reserve)TO COME: 17.Collingwood (H), Bye, 16.North Melbourne (A)SUMMARY: The clear best team in the competition and the one to beat for the premiership. The Cats will almost certainly enter the finals on a 14-match winning streak after being largely unchallenged all season on the back of a powerful squad of developing AFL talent and a hard-working group of VFL role players who haven’t put a foot wrong. It’s almost impossible to see them not running out on the third Sunday in September. The only question mark would be can they keep going if the AFL team is eliminated early, although most of this team will remain eligible anyway. Then it comes down to hunger, and the Cats have plenty of that.PREDICTION: 17-1 (1st)

2nd, 11-3-1, 119.04%STREAK: Won 8½ (2026: WLLWWLDbWWWWbWWWWb)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def Port Melbourne (38, Avalon Airport Oval); def St Kilda (1, RSEA Park); def Southport (20, Avalon Airport Oval); def Carlton (7, Ikon Park); def Brisbane Lions (26, Avalon Airport Oval)TO COME: 14.Footscray (H), 10.Tasmania (A), 19.Sandringham (H)SUMMARY: The 2024 premiers are building nicely, despite the club understandably downplaying what they are capable of for most of the season. With 8½ wins in their past nine games, there’s no keeping the lid on any more. They still have work to do to secure a top-two spot though, with banana peel games looming against desperate reigning premier playing for its season and an interstate trip to face a history-seeking Tasmanian team that knows it can win on the strength of its epic draw at Avalon Airport Oval earlier in the year. Every premiership contender will be hoping they can eliminate the dangerous Bulldogs this week, and the top two will be almost locked up if they do.PREDICTION: 13-4-1 (2nd)

3rd, 10-5-1, 131.28%STREAK: Won 5½ (2026: LbWWWWLWLLLWbWWDWW)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def GWS (78, Engie Stadium); def Brisbane Lions (16, Tramway Oval); drew Williamstown (0, Blacktown International Sports Park); def Gold Coast (40, People First Stadium); def Sandringham (133, Blacktown International Sports Park)TO COME: 10.Tasmania (H), Bye, 8.Essendon (A)SUMMARY: Back in the finals for the first time since their disappointing straight-sets exit in 2022, the Swans’ best is good enough to compete with anyone (they pushed Geelong to 14 points at the Cattery). They will be confident of winning both games, and if they do a top-two spot and two home finals look a real possibility. But both their opponents are playing for their seasons and will be a long way from easybeats. The powerful percentage makes it unlikely the Swans can miss the top six, but they will need to be on their guard.PREDICTION: 12-5-1 (3rd)

4th, 10-6, 109.16%STREAK: Lost 1 (2026: WLLWWWbWWLWbWLWLWL)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Essendon (25, Kennedy Community Centre); def Richmond (12, Box Hill City Oval); lost Carlton (23, Box Hill City Oval); def Tasmania (5, Dial Park); lost GWS (12, Box Hill City Oval).TO COME: 16.North Melbourne (H), Bye, 18.Casey Demons (H)SUMMARY: The Hawks appear to be wobbling, but if we’ve learned anything in the past decade (or even longer) its never to think the Hawks are cooked. You’d expect them to comfortably win both games and lock up a top-four spot, but they wouldn’t want to slip up again this week and put themselves in the sudden death melting pot.PREDICTION: 12-6 (4th)

5th, 9-7, 104.61%STREAK: Lost 1 (2026: LWLLWWbWLWWLWbLWWL)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Southport (7, Fankhauser Reserve); def GWS (64, Kinetic Stadium); def Footscray (13, Mission Whitten Oval); lost Geelong (52, Kinetic Stadium); def Collingwood (1, Kinetic Stadium)TO COME: 9.Port Melbourne (H), Bye, 11.Williamstown (A)SUMMARY: Just one more win is needed to secure a third consecutive finals berth, but it will still need to be earned. The Dolphins will start favourites to lock it in against the Borough at home in a Friday night blockbuster this week, but they wouldn’t weant their season to come down to having to roll the Seagulls at Point Gellibrand in the last game. With a handy percentage, fourth spot is still available if they can find a way to win both.PREDICTION: 10-8 (8th)

6th, 9-6, 104.03%STREAK: Lost 2 (2026: WWbLWWLWWLbLWWWbLL)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Sydney (78, Engie Stadium); lost Frankston (64, Kinetic Stadium); def Coburg (2, Narrandera Sportsground); def Box Hill Hawks (12, Box Hill City Oval); def Carlton (69, Engie Stadium)TO COME: 13.Southport (A), 22.Gold Coast (H), 10.Tasmania (H)SUMMARY: Have they fallen off the injury cliff? Two uncompetitive losses to fellow finals contenders have raised questions about the Giants that haven’t been there all season. One win should be enough, and they should get that against the Suns, but they really need to knock off either the Sharks or Devils as well to avoid having to take the long road home through the wildcards.PREDICTION: 10-8 (10th)

7th, 9-7, 102.59%STREAK: Won 1 (2026: LWLLLWWbWWLWWbLWLW)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def Sandringham (14, Barry Plant Park); lost Essendon (53, Windt Hill); def Casey Demons (43, Barry Plant Park); lost GWS (2, Narrandera Sportsground); def Port Melbourne (17, Barry Plant Park)TO COME: Bye, 11.Williamstown (A), 13.Southport (H)SUMMARY: 2008 was their last finals appearance. 1990 was their last finals appearance as a standalone club. And breaking those droughts is entirely in their own hands. The Lions fell agonisingly short last year when their last-round bye left things out of their control. That isn’t the case this year. The last two games are difficult, with a trip to fortress Williamstown and a possible early elimination final at home against the consummate professionals from Queensland in Round 21. One of the two should do it, but win them both and they could secure a top-six spot while eliminating two teams that could do a lot of damage in the finals.PREDICTION: 10-8 (9th)

8th, 9-7, 98.97%STREAK: Won 4 (2026: LWLWLLWbWLWLbLWWWW)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def Box Hill Hawks (25, Kennedy Community Centre); def Coburg (53, Windy Hill); def Brisbane Lions (30, Brighton Homes Arena); def St Kilda (25, Windy Hill); lost North Melbourne (3, Arden St)TO COME: Bye, 17.Collingwood (H), 3.Sydney (H)SUMMARY: The Bombers are on a tear with four straight wins in impressive fashion since the last-kick loss to North Melbourne that could have broken them but inspired them instead. It’s a nervous wait to see how they come out of a bye that could break their four-win momentum, but finishing with two home games means their fate is in their own hands. The Magpies are the crucial one to avoid a pressure-cooker showdown with Sydney in the last game.PREDICTION: 10-8 (11th)

9th, 9-6, 96.06%STREAK: Lost 1 (2026: WLLLWWbWLWWbLWWWLb)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Werribee (38, Avalon Airport Oval); def Sandringham (11, ETU Stadium); def Casey Demons (18, Casey Fields); def Gold Coast (6, ETU Stadium); lost Coburg (17, Barry Plant Park)TO COME: 5.Frankston (A), 21.Richmond (H), 17.Collingwood (H)SUMMARY: It has been a relatively long wait for a finals appearance for this proud club, who hasn’t been to the post-season since 2019. And their return to the games that matter is solely on their own bats. This week is a tough one down at the Pod, but if they can win that, finals will be all-but guaranteed. Should still make it anyway with games against a battling Richmond and a dangerous but eliminated Collingwood to follow.PREDICTION: 11-7 (6th)

10th, 8-6-1, 110.10%STREAK: Lost 1 (2026: WWWbLWDLbLWWWLLWLb)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Williamstown (6, DSV Stadium); def Gold Coast (50, North Hobart Oval); lost Box Hill Hawks (5, Dial Park); lost Brisbane Lions (61, Brighton Homes Arena); def Sandringham (36, Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval)TO COME: 3.Sydney (A), 2.Werribee (H), 6.GWS (A)SUMMARY: It has been a sensational first season for the Devils, but with three games to go they will need to find another level to bring a historic debut finals appearance to their Apple Isle fans. They likely need to win two of the three to hang onto a top 10 position they have held all season. All three are winnable, all three are losable against teams who have been nestled in the top six for most of the year. Both Sydney and Werribee are on long winning streaks but there are reasons why Tasmania wins. Then it possibly comes down to the flagging Giants in the last game.PREDICTION: 10-7-1 (7th)

11th, 8-6-1, 101.82STREAK: Won 1 (2026: WWbWLWWbLLLWWLLDWb)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def Tasmania (6, DSV Stadium); drew Sydney (0, Blacktown International Sports Park); lost Footscray (41, DSV Stadium); lost Southport (49, Fankhauser Reserve); def Casey Demons (37, DSV Stadium)TO COME: 19.Sandringham (A), 7.Coburg (H), 5.Frankston (H)SUMMARY: Dropped out of the top 10 last week with the bye and it is an unfamiliar position for this proud club to be in. And it isn’t an easy fixture coming home. Yes, the Seagulls should beat Sandringham, but the plucky Zebras will never give up and have a good record against Willy at home. Then they finish with two home games against teams they have beaten up regularly over the past two decades. Both the Lions and Dolphins are much better now, but if the Seagulls can find their best, they will be there in the finals again.PREDICTION: 11-6-1 (5th)

12th, 8-7, 107.25%STREAK: Won 3 (2026: bLLWWWWWLLLbLLWWbW)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def Gold Coast (17, Ikon Park); def Box Hill Hawks (23, Box Hill City Oval); def Richmond (35, Ikon Park); lost Werribee (7, Ikon Park); lost GWS (69, Engie Stadium)TO COME: 20.Brisbane Lions (H), 15.St Kilda (A), 14.Footscray (A)SUMMARY: Sitting 12th with three games to go isn’t ideal at face value, but their remaining fixture should excite them as they chase finals football. The in-form Lions at home and the Saints away aren’t easy, but a finals-bound team should win them. Could we see the Blues travel to Footscray in the last game for a virtual elimination final? That would be a sight to behold.PREDICTION: 9-9 (14th)

13th, 7-7-1, 97.12%STREAK: Won 1½ (2026: LWWLbWLWWbLLLWLbDW)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def Frankston (7, Fankhauser Reserve); drew Sandringham (0, Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval); lost Werribee (20, Avalon Airport Oval); def Williamstown (49, Fankhauser Reserve); lost Geelong (47, Fankhauser Reserve)TO COME: 6.GWS (H), 20.Brisbane Lions (H), 7.Coburg (A)SUMMARY: Grand Finalists every year since joining the competition when they have been able to field their best team for most of the campaign. This is not one of those year, with a crippling toll to their best players. But they are still alive and will start favourites in the next two at home. Win those and they could realistically be facing Coburg in the last game for the same spot in the finals. Then it would be experience versus nervous energy and anything could happen.PREDICTION: 9-8-1 (12th)

14th, 7-8, 107.54%STREAK: Won 2 (2026: WbWWLLbLLWLLLbWLWW)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def Richmond (74, Mission Whitten Oval); def Gold Coast (28, People First Stadium); lost Frankston 13 (Mission Whitten Oval); def Williamstown (41, DSV Stadium); lost St Kilda (37, RSEA Park)TO COME: 2.Werribee (A), 16.North Melbourne (A), 12.Carlton (H)SUMMARY: The biggest disappointment of the year so far, but the reigning premiers are still alive and have shown at times just what they are capable of. If they can beat Werribee at Werribee (where they have a very strong record), they will still have a lot of teams looking over their shoulders and hoping they fall short because if anyone can make a run at the Cup from the Wildcard, it would be the Bulldogs.PREDICTION: 9-9 (13th)

15th, 6-9-1, 98.5%STREAK: Lost 4 (2026: LLLWLLWWbWWDWbLLLL)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Collingwood (10, La Trobe University); lost Geelong (26, RSEA Park); lost Werribee (1, RSEA Park); lost Essendon (25, Windy Hill); def Footscray (37, RSEA Park)TO COME: Bye, 12.Carlton (H), 21.Richmond (TBC)SUMMARY: Was right in the mix for an unlikely finals appearance when they thrashed reigning premier Footscray in Round 14 but have now lost four straight to drop out of the race. Pushed the top two to give their fans hope for the future and they could easily finish with 8½ wins and kick nemesis Carlton out of the finals. That would be a big tick.PREDICTION: 7-10-1 (15th)

16th, 6-8-1, 98.09%STREAK: Lost 3 (2026: bLWWLLWLWbLDWWbLLL)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Brisbane Lions (13, Brighton Homes Arena); lost Casey Demons (31, Arden St); lost Collingwood (43, Marvel Stadium); def Essendon (3, Arden St); def Richmond (63, ETU Stadium)TO COME: 4.Box Hill Hawks (A), 14.Footscray (H), 1.Geelong (H)SUMMARY: Put themselves in finals contention with that thrilling win over Essendon but have run out of puff and it is hard to see them winning another game. 6½ wins would be unders for this squad.PREDICTION: 6-11-1 (16th)

17th, 6-9, 96.30%STREAK: Won 2 (2026: bLWLWLLLLLWbLWLWbW)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def St Kilda (10, La Trobe University); def North Melbourne (43, Marvel Stadium); lost Brisbane Lions (21, Barry Plant Park); def Richmond (70, La Trobe University); lost Frankston (1, Kinetic Stadium)TO COME: 1.Geelong (A), 8.Essendon (A), 9.Port Melbourne (A)SUMMARY: Were highly-rated before the season started but despite some strong efforts were out of the running very early. Four wins in their past six is more like it and after a likely loss this week they have a huge chance to shape the top 10.PREDICTION: 6-12 (17th)

18th, 6-10, 81.91%STREAK: Lost 1 (2026: LbWLWLLLWWLWLbLLWL)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Geelong (53, Casey Fields); def North Melbourne (31, Arden St); lost Coburg (43, Barry Plant Park); lost Port Melbourne (18, Casey Fields); lost Williamstown (37, DSV Stadium)TO COME: 22.Gold Coast (A), Bye, 4.Box Hill Hawks (A)SUMMARY: Have mixed some strong performances with some poor ones. Would be disappointed to be where they are, but both their games to come are winnable on current form.PREDICTION: 6-12 (19th)

19th, 4-11-1, 76.18%STREAK: Lost 4½ (2026: LWWLLLLLWbLWLLbLDL)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Coburg (14, Barry Plant Park); drew Southport (0, Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval); lost Port Melbourne (11, ETU Stadium); lost Sydney (133, Blacktown International Sports Park); lost Tasmania (36, Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval)TO COME: 11.Williamstown (H), Bye, 2.Werribee (A)SUMMARY: One of the stories of the season in their first year back as a standalone. 4½ wins is a great effort, and with a bit of luck it could easily have been seven or eight. So much to look forward to if they can keep this young squad together.PREDICTION: 4-13-1 (20th)

20th, 4-11, 85.41%STREAK: Won 1 (2026: bLLWLLbLLLLLbWWLLW)PAST FIVE MATCHES: def North Melbourne (13, Brighton Homes Arena); lost Sydney (16, Tramway Oval); lost Essendon (30, Brighton Homes Arena); def Collingwood (21, Barry Plant Park); def Tasmania (61, Brighton Homes Arena)TO COME: 12.Carlton (A), 13.Southport (A), 22.Gold Coast (H)SUMMARY: Have finally woken up in the past month or so and have the chance to play finals spoilers in the next two weeks before a ‘should-win’ QClash in the last game. Six wins would be a success after they were 1-9 mid-season.PREDICTION: 6-12 (18th)

21st, 3-13, 71.35%STREAK: Lost 7 (2026: WLWbLLLLLWbLLLLLLL)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Footscray (74, Mission Whitten Oval); lost Box Hill Hawks (12, Box Hill City Oval); lost Geelong (82, GMHBA Stadium); lost Carlton (35, Ikon Park); lost Collingwood (70, La Trobe University)TO COME: Bye, 9.Port Melbourne (A), 15.St Kilda (N)SUMMARY: No home ground, hardly any fit AFL players – in fact the Tigers played with none one week (and it was their best effort of the season. Unlikely to win again, but would see the eliminated Saints as their Grand Final.PREDICTION: 3-15 (21st)

22nd, 2-13, 67.83%STREAK: Lost 7 (2026: LbLLWLbLLbWLLLLLLL)PAST FIVE MATCHES: lost Carlton (18, Ikon Park); lost Footscray (28, People First Stadium); lost Tasmania (50, North Hobart Oval); lost Sydney (40, People First Stadium); lost Port Melbourne (6, ETU Stadium)TO COME: 18.Casey Demons (H), 6.GWS (A), 20.Brisbane Lions (A)SUMMARY: The Suns’ VFL season has been worse than the AFL one – at least the top team looked good early on. This week shapes as their last chance to pick up a third win to have a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.PREDICTION: 3-15 (22nd)