Fremantle's minor premiership offers no guarantee against Hawthorn's upset bid

Since 2016, the pre-finals bye has narrowed the gap between top and fourth-placed teams, leading to multiple upsets in qualifying finals.

Why it mattersAs Fremantle host Hawthorn tonight as minor premiers, history shows being on top is no protection in a qualifying final.

AustraliaAustralian AFL fans know that the team finishing first has a real chance of going out in the first finals round.

✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 34 min ago

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Bacchus Marsh stripped of finals spot over coaching accreditation error

Bacchus Marsh's reserves team has been expelled from the finals. Their reserves coach, Marc Dransman, did not have AFL accreditation. The team finished on top of the ladder with 15 wins.

Why it mattersThe club says it gained no advantage from the mistake and the punishment is too harsh. It asked to appeal but AFL Victoria refused.

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✓ ABC NewsSport & Play

Five Swans suspended for rest of season, police inquiry continues

Five Swans players are suspended for the rest of the season for breaching club standards. The suspensions stay in place regardless of what a police investigation finds.