With the home and away season coming to an end this weekend and the GIANTS’ top four spot secured, let’s take a look at who and where the GIANTS could be playing in a qualifying final.
There are five possible scenarios with the GIANTS the chance to finishing anywhere from minor premiers to fourth, and being forced to travel in the first week of the finals.
With so much at stake for all sides currently in the top eight we’re only going to focus on what could directly impact the GIANTS after their clash with Geelong at Simonds Stadium this Saturday night.
Scenario 1: GIANTS lose and Richmond lose
The simplest to explain - A loss to Geelong on Saturday would see the GIANTS slip to third on the ladder and play the Cats a fortnight later in a qualifying final, to be played at either the MCG or Simonds Stadium.
Scenario 2: GIANTS lose and Richmond win
If the GIANTS lose by anything more than a point and the Tigers win by over four goals and the GIANTS will slip to fourth and play Adelaide in a qualifying final.
Scenario 3: GIANTS win, Adelaide and Richmond win
This is super simple. The GIANTS would remain in second place and play Richmond in a qualifying final at home. Minor Premiers Adelaide would play Geelong in the other qualifying final in Adelaide.
Scenario 4: GIANTS win, Adelaide and Richmond lose
This scenario is the most complex. A win would see the GIANTS claim the Minor Premiership for the first time and earn the right to host a home qualifying final. The GIANTS would play either Port Adelaide or the Swans depending on their results. If both Port and the Swans lose, Richmond could sneak into the four and face the GIANTS in a qualifying final.
Scenario 5: GIANTS win, Adelaide lose and Richmond win
The GIANTS would enter the first week of the 2017 Toyota AFL Finals series as minor premiers and play fourth placed Geelong at home in a qualifying final. Second placed Adelaide would then play Richmond in a qualifying final in Adelaide.