Six things we learned from Round 20

20 rounds have been won and run with only three weeks remaining until the finals begin.

As the finish line draws closer, here’s what we learned from the results of the weekend’s ladder formation.

Carlton’s inconsistency seems to be going against them

Carlton’s defeat to Adelaide might cost them the top four.

With 12 wins to their name, the Blues may need to win all three of their remaining fixtures to have any chance of grabbing a finish twice.

That’s easier said than done, especially with Brisbane (away), Melbourne and Collingwood to come.

While we still expect the Blues to play in September, from here it looks like they’ll have to do it the hard way and run the gauntlet, a journey the Bulldogs only managed to go through in 2016.

It’s a tough pill to swallow for the Blues, as losses to St Kilda, Richmond and Adelaide (their teams are higher on the ladder than) since the byes seem to be going against them.

They without a doubt have enough A-class talent to compete with any team, but it doesn’t look like 2022 is their year considering where they have to come from.

While they could still turn things around and secure themselves a top four finish, at their current form, they will have to find something extraordinary to get there.

Let’s see if it can start next Sunday against the Lions.

Geelong’s bottom has never been stronger

Geelong have long been perennial contenders with a stellar pool of stars in their line-up, but they look to be the better team in 2022 by getting an even contribution across their squad.

While class A talent is still performing to a high level, improvements from the likes of Brad Close, Tom Atkins, Jack Henry, Tyson Stengle, Sam De Koning and Zach Guthrie among others help propel the team to new levels.

With Chris Scott’s system and structure piled up, Geelong no longer has to rely on game monsters from their biggest names to get them to cross the line against quality outfits, something that couldn’t be said in previous years.

With three rounds remaining and a small maiden title in their hands, the Cats have never been better equipped to win it all since 2011, a remarkable thought considering how often they have been near the top of the ladder in the last decade.

While their star will no doubt steal the headlines, if the script goes according to plan in September, the difference is how this side turns out to be.

A win away from home could kickstart Melbourne’s run

As we began to question Melbourne’s beliefs, they came out and flexed with a 46-point away win against Fremantle, proving that the best is nearly impossible to stop.

While they have gone 4-5 from their last nine games, the premierships were winless in July and the Demons will be hoping their form builds on now through September.

With three rounds remaining and a top two spot still looking like their destiny, Friday’s win could be the turning point that sees Simon Goodwin’s side strike from here and face each other in 2022.

We’ve seen in recent years how important the final month of the home and away season is for prime ministers, and Satan may have timed them perfectly.

Find out if they can sustain this for the next seven weeks.

The Magpies are in it to win it with a top four push

Collingwood fans have been expecting the impending loss for some time now, but with 10 wins in a row, they have really found themselves a contender.

This is something that feels odd even to ponder given where they came from, but there’s no arguing against the ladder and their win-loss record is as good as any of Geelong’s bars.

While there is still a long way to go for Craig McRae’s side, the return of Jordan De Goey and the delayed return of Brodie Grundy will give this playing group even more confidence.

Some might point to the fact that Pies’ recent game came against non-final opponents, but taking a closer look at their results, you can see that their game plan is against anything.

Of the top eight teams, Pies have beaten Melbourne, Fremantle, Carlton and St Kilda, while they have narrowly lost to Geelong and Brisbane.

Considering who they’ll be playing in September, who says this team can’t be tilted in the premiership? Especially if they are in the top four.

They may need at least one or two more wins from their last three games to get there, and while they don’t have the easiest of home runs, it takes a bold player to bet against the Fly’s Magpies at the moment.

MCG Brisbane mess is real

It’s a game that Brisbane will circle on their calendar to try and prove the naysayers wrong, but in the loss, there’s only been more doubt thrown over their credentials.

Up 42 points midway through the second half, it looked like Brisbane would finally put their MCG to bed and win at the venue for the first time since 2014, but sadly, they again failed to get the job done.

Honestly, Richmond is a much better team than their ladder position and record suggest, but there’s no reason to cough up such a lead when you consider yourself a competitor.

If they want to win it all, they have to do it at MCG and with the direction they are headed, they could find themselves at home football in the first week or two of the final series.

There’s no better time to stop bad luck in September, but there must be genuine concern in Brisbane whether they can pull it off on the biggest stage.

This was another hurdle that this side failed to jump over.

It’s been a big week for Fremantle

Just as they looked destined to finish the season strongly, Fremantle had a bad three weeks to nearly miss out on a top four spot.

With losses to Sydney and Melbourne plus draws with Richmond, the Dockers sit a game half or a game and a half outside the double chance slot with just three weeks remaining.

To finish in the top four Justin Longmuir’s side might have to be perfect from here on out, and that starts with a big game against the Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night.

Win that, and they will be favorites against the Eagles and Giants in the last two weeks with a good 15 wins and really within their reach.

Lose, and they will almost certainly be relegated to an elimination final which will be disappointing considering how well they traveled just a month ago.

This is a huge clash for the two teams, the AFL world will be anticipating that result with bated breath.

#learned