Carlton should not have left their finals hopes in the hands of others. Meanwhile,the Hawks have developed some embarrassing habits - embarrassing for all the teams left in their wake.
After a wild home-and-away season,we now have our final eight.
Police are searching for a footy fan after a goal umpire was hit in the head by a water bottle during the AFL match between Carlton and St Kilda.
The Hawks v Kangaroos and Tigers v Suns have had their game times changed for Saturday. Meanwhile,the Blues are confident Charlie Curnow would be available for the first final in a fortnight’s time,should the club qualify,as Ross Lyon admits he has “no idea” where Josh Battle will end up next season.
On the final day of the 2024 AFL home and away season,Carlton will take the field against St Kilda with a straightforward equation:Win and they will play finals.
The frenetic push for AFL finals spots hit fever pitch on Saturday. Collingwood came from the clouds to beat Brisbane and,remarkably,keep their flag defence alive. Geelong might have sabotaged their top four spot by slipping up against St Kilda.
Michael Voss has vowed redemption after Carlton were left stunned by a 74-point loss to Hawthorn which has left their finals hopes hanging by a thread. The Saints,meanwhile,have crunched the Tigers,while the Western Bulldogs have gone down to Adelaide.
The club issued a statement on Friday after it emerged the club’s head of talent and acquisition Graeme Allan had met Tarryn Thomas.
The Hawks’ finals hopes have taken a major hit,while the Giants appear on their way to September after an enthralling clash in Canberra. Essendon have conjured a last-gasp win over Fremantle at the MCG,while Lions left the Saints as roadkill at Marvel Stadium.
Coach Brad Scott’s disappointment was palpable as he lashed his side’s lack of competitiveness,poor effort and pressure after a defeat that left them in danger of slipping out of the top eight.
St Kilda’s Lance Collard has been suspended for six games for using homophobic language while playing in the VFL,while Charlie Cameron and Toby Bedford will continue to fight against the three-match bans they received for tackling offences.