AFL: Pressure on Hawks and Blues

The pressure is on both Carlton and Hawthorn to pick up the wins they need to guarantee a place in the top eight.

With just one game of the regular season remaining, the battle to make finals could not be closer, and it is set to go right to the wire.

Elsewhere, the make-up of the top two and top four also has to be decided as the regular season reaches a gripping conclusion.

Let’s take a look at the remaining games to be played this weekend.

Must win for Hawks and Carlton

Hawthorn and Carlton sit in seventh and eighth spot respectively and need wins if they are to guarantee a place in the top eight.

Fremantle are just two points behind them and could potentially leapfrog them both with a win over Port Adelaide.

However the Hawks and Blues will be delighted to have the situation in their own hands.

Hawthorn should have no issues when they entertain a North Melbourne side that have won just three games all season.

The Kangaroos were smashed by the Western Bulldogs last weekend and Hawthorn will be looking to inflict similar damage.

Hawthorn can be backed at 3.30 to win by 73+ points.

Carlton face a trickier test when they entertain St Kilda on Sunday.

Carlton are 1.68 to win the clash with St Kilda available at 2.20, and it could be a tense afternoon for the injury-ravaged Blues.

St Kilda may sit 13th on the ladder, but they have won four from the last five, including an impressive 18-point win over Geelong last weekend.

Ross Lyon’s men can be backed at 6.00 to beat the Blues by 1-12 points.

Brisbane fight to make top four

Brisbane Lions looked like the hot fancies to go on and win the premiership two weeks ago, but back-to-back defeats could result in them missing out on the top-four.

Chris Fagan’s men have to beat Essendon at home and then hope that Geelong slip up against West Coast.

The latter happening is a huge long shot. The Cats may have lost to St Kilda last week but should have no problems bouncing back against the Eagles and are 1.05 to get the job done.

Regardless, Brisbane need a convincing win to get them back on track and give them some confidence heading into finals.

All in all, they have been great at the Gabba this season, and can be backed at 5.00 to beat the Bombers by 37-48 points.

Too little to late for Pies

Reigning champions Collingwood look set to miss out on the top eight following a hugely disappointing campaign.

They get the round underway against Melbourne on Friday night, but need a win coupled with a minor miracle, to squeeze into the eight.

A one-point win over Brisbane kept their slim hopes alive, but other results then went against them.

Collingwood need to start off with a big win and then pray that the team above fail badly.

Regardless, they will be keen to go out on a high and are 5.50 to win by 40+ points.

Swans set for top spot

Sydney have survived a wobble to hang on to the minor premiership.

They have won the last two games against Essendon and Collingwood and will now look to do the same to Adelaide.

Three wins on the spin would give them confidence heading into finals, and a convincing win would be even better.

They can be backed at 13.00 to win by 73+ points.

Tigers finish rock bottom

Richmond will be glad to see the back of this season after picking up just two wins to finish bottom of the ladder.

Even so they will be keen to give the members some hope for next season when they take on the Gold Coast Suns.

Being up against former coach Damien Hardwick should also provide some extra spice.

The Suns won the Opening Round between the two side by 39 points, but they have won just once on the road this season.

Richmond are 6.00 to win by 1-12 points.