Well, it’s come down to this. The final home-and-away round – plus a rescheduled fixture – with so much still to play for as nine teams jostle for eight positions.

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 percentage points.

Finals contenders: Sam Darcy, Nick Daicos and Nick Watson.Credit: Aresna Villanueva/Getty Images

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........

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