AFL: Who will make it and who will take it?

Adam Goodes of Sydney takes a big mark over Bachar Houli of Richmond at the MCG, Sunday, 14 Aug 2011. (AAP Image/Martin Philbey)

‘I can see clearly now, the rain has gone’. Apologies to Johnny Nash, but the only thing to become blindingly clear this week in the AFL is that we’re still no closer to knowing who will make it and who will take it.

Although, one thing is for sure – it’s amazing what a team can achieve when they reassess the fact that they can in fact kick a footy properly and have a crack.

I’m speaking, of course, about Richmond. With a finals berth long gone and fans writing tear soaked memoirs about season 2011, most experts predicted the Tigers would go through the motions, play the kids in weird positions and look forward to sipping Bintang in a few weeks. But they turned up and not only beat a contender in the Swans, they took them apart.

This was a game that Sydney simply had to win and now they are balanced on knife’s edge in 8^th spot with Freo breathing down their neck.

However, if Saturday arvo was anything to go by, they won’t have much to worry about. The Blues grabbed a rare win against the Dockers, giving them a lesson in midfield dominance, forward pressure and general metrosexualism.

Unfortunately for Carlton, they look destined to finish 5^th as the Eagles continued on their merry way, this time making a mockery of Melbourne. On the plus side though, the Dees managed to not lose by 30 goals.

Three rounds left and it’s at that point of the season when it’s all about preservation, survival and what could’ve been.

Carlton and Hawthorn should be a beauty, with Buddy fresh off doubling the entire score of Port last week. The jackets will be dusted off in the West when Essendon face old foes West Coast, North host Freo and it’s definitely all over for whoever loses. The Pies will unleash the pain of two Grand Final losses upon Brisbane (they have questionable hygiene, but long memories). The Swans will need to show something when they host the Saints, Port are offering a game of Wii bowling to the Dogs (apparently the Power are quite good), whilst the Suns and Crows might actually be a good game. Dees and Tigers? That’s OK; I’m fine, thank you.