SugarShane
C12 H22 O11
Yeah, there's usually some change, mostly because someone finds form or goes to pieces in the second half of the year. For reference the top 8 after round 9 last year was:
Collingwood 8-1
Melbourne 7-2
Brisbane 7-2
Port Adelaide 7-2
St. Kilda 6-3
Bulldogs 6-3
Geelong 5-4
Adelaide 5-4
Only the top 5 made it. Carlton came in from 9th, Sydney from 14th and GWS from 15th. 2022 there were two changes from round 9 (Carlton and St. Kilda out, Collingwood and WB in) and the same number in 2021.
This year I could see Brisbane making a run, maybe someone like Geelong or GWS lose the plot. Essendon look pretty good but you never know there either. Silly to write off a season before the bye usually unless you're right near the bottom.
I still don't trust Essendon. Agree Brisbane could get on a run. Freo could come good. The Bulldogs have the talent, so do Gold Coast. Some teams in the 8 are only a couple of injuries away from losing the plot.
I don't think we will make it. But a couple of spots are still very much there for the taking. A lot of teams are very bipolar in terms of form this year.