TALE OF THE TAPE FOR TOP EIGHT

THE 2020 AFL finals are only a week away—we take a look at how this year’ s finalists fared against every other team in the top eight.

PORT ADELAIDE

Won :4. Lost :3. Average winning margin :24 points. Average losing margin: 42points The only slip-ups for the minor premier has come against top eight teams as Ken H ink ley’ s side found consistency in 2020. Interestingly the Power have the biggest average losing margin to top eight sides, with the 60-point thrashing by Geelong—who they face next week—in Round 12 contributing significantly to this. Other defeats have come to Brisbane at the G abba and StKilda at Adelaide Oval, while the Round 11 win over Richmond at home well and truly showed the Power are ready to contend in 2020.

BRISBANE

Won :5. Lost :2. Average winning margin :20 points. Average losing margin: 34points The best record out of the teams that made the top eight, assisted by a good run of games at their Queensland fortress of the G abba in Brisbane. Gee long at the SC G and Richmond at Metric on have knocked off the Lions but when Brisbane is at home Chris F ag an’ s side has served up some really impressive performances against its top eight rivals.

RICHMOND

Won :4. Drawn :1. Lost :2. Average winning margin :33 points. Average losing margin :23 points Comes into the final sin some serious form with its last loss to Port Adelaide in Round 11. StKilda in Round 4, a game that was played at the MCG, w as the Tigers’ only other loss to a top eight side this season while they drew with Collingwood upon footy’ s resumption.

GEELONG

Won :4. Lost :3. Average winning margin :39 points. Average losing margin: 19points Can G eel on g’ s game plan hold up in finals? It is a question consistently asked about Chris Scott’ s side. The Cats have handed out some thrashings to top eight teams , a 60-point win over Port Adelaide and 59-point victory over StKilda in August. But after losing two of its three games in Perth to West Coast and Collingwood the Cats enter the final son the back of a 26- point loss to Richmond.

WEST COAST

Won :3. Lost :4. Average winning margin :30 points. Average losing margin: 26points Everyone of the Eagles’ four losses to top eight sides has come in Queensland, as tat that would worry West Coast fans although Adam Simpson’ s side produced a gritty performance in Round 17 to knock off StKilda. Will only ge tone final in Perth and the last time they played next week’ s opponent Collingwood in W A, the Eagles thrashed the Pies by 66 points.

ST KILDA

Won :3. Lost :4. Average winning margin :31. Average losing margin: 30 The Saints have some big sc alps under their belt this season, none more so than the Round 8 win over Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval-a venue where they have consistently struggled at. But Brett Ratten’ s side have had some heavy losses, and will still be kicking themselves that they couldn’ t knock off an under strength West Coast side in Round17.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

Won: 1. Lost: 6. Average winning margin: 2. Average losing margin: 30 Just the one win over aside that finished in the top eight this season, an undermanned West Coast side in Queensland, and should have beaten Gee long after racing out of the blocks only to throw away the win. The Bulldogs are spoken about as being a team that can do some damage in the finals, but will need to significantly lift.

COLLINGWOOD

Won :3. Drawn :1. Lost :3. Average winning margin :39. Average losing margin :30 Was tracking well against sides in the top eight only for losses to Brisbane and Port Adelaide in the last three round soft he season. The Magpies have defeated StKilda, Gee long and the Bulldogs but did get blown away by elimination final opponents West Coast in Perth.