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LAST FINALS SPOT: How Dons can ruin Suns’ September dream
SEN • August 27th, 2025 7:56 pm
The final game of the 2025 home and away season is set for Wednesday night as Gold Coast play off for a spot in the top eight against Essendon.
The rescheduled Opening Round clash between the sides has meant that the Bulldogs (eighth) and Suns (ninth) have been made to wait to see exactly what their September plans will be.
With seven of the top eight sides locked in, Wednesday night’s result is pretty simple for Gold Coast. Win and you’re in for the first finals series in club history. Lose, and that spot has the Doggies’ name on it despite their Round 24 loss to Fremantle.
As the top four is locked in, the result of Wednesday’s Suns v Dons game is set to shuffle spots seven through nine.
GWS and Fremantle have locked in fifth and sixth place respectively, meaning they will host a home elimination final.
Here’s what will occur depending on results:
Gold Coast win by 36+ points:
- (5) GWS versus (8) Hawthorn @ ENGIE Stadium
- (6) Fremantle versus (7) Gold Coast @ Optus Stadium
Gold Coast win by a margin between 22-36, pending Essendon’s points for:
- (5) GWS versus (8) Gold Coast @ ENGIE Stadium
or
- (6) Fremantle versus (7) Gold Coast @ Optus Stadium
Gold Coast win by less than 22 points OR Gold Coast and Essendon draw:
- (5) GWS versus (8) Gold Coast @ ENGIE Stadium
- (6) Fremantle versus (7) Hawthorn @ Optus Stadium
Essendon beat Gold Coast:
- (5) GWS versus (8) Western Bulldogs @ ENGIE Stadium
- (6) Fremantle versus (7) Hawthorn @ Optus Stadium
The AFL will release the full week one finals fixture following Wednesday’s game.
LADDER before Suns/Bombers:
- Adelaide - 139.3% 72pts
- Geelong - 141.5% 68pts
- Brisbane - 114.2% 66pts
- Collingwood - 122.4% 64pts
- GWS Giants - 115.3% 64pts
- Fremantle - 109.0% 64pts
- Hawthorn - 120.9% 60pts
- Western Bulldogs - 137.0% 56pts
- Gold Coast* - 120.1% 56pts
*one game to play
