The top 10 is set, but who will play who? Our experts give their predictions

And just like that, the teams comprising the top 10 and playing in the finals are settled, although final resting positions are still there for the taking with one home-and-away round remaining.

It’s been a fascinating run-in to the finals, the intrigue that much deeper now there are wildcard berths for teams that finish between seventh and 10th.

Carlton are the big story , rebounding from a 1-8 win-loss record to start the season and the departure of coach Michael Voss, to surge into 10th spot under caretaker coach Josh Fraser – which surely has him primed to win the top role permanently.

The scenes of jubilation in the rooms, and among supporters generally, after the draw with the Western Bulldogs on Sunday – ensuring they have locked in a wildcard berth – was reminiscent of the 1995 premiership. This was a Houdini act of the highest order.

Fremantle have had top spot secured for weeks, while Sydney are locked into second and at least two home finals.

Hawthorn and Collingwood, care of their historic second draw with each other in a season, have plenty to play for this weekend . The Hawks are fighting to secure the double chance and will travel to Perth to face the Eagles in the last game of the round, while the Magpies could still pinch sixth spot should they have a big win over Brisbane at the MCG on Friday night, and Geelong and Adelaide stumble.

That appears unlikely, however, particularly as the Cats are at home to Richmond. The Crows, in seventh spot but also eying a top-six finish, host the Giants, the latter still with the capacity to cause an upset in what could be Toby Greene’s last game for the club.

The Western Bulldogs are locked in for a wildcard clash, and could be tempted to rest players against Melbourne, who have a lower percentage than the Cats and Crows and will not want to falter.