Dockers down Roos to seal AFL top eight

26 Aug 2012, 8:38 pm   -   Source: AAP

Fremantle have snuffed out the hopes of clubs challenging for AFL finals spots with a convincing win over North Melbourne on Sunday.

Fremantle have shut the door to the AFL top eight and should enter the finals flying after burying North Melbourne by 53 points at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

The 20.12 (132) to 12.7 (79) win was the Dockers' seventh in eight games and snuffed out the faint finals hopes of St Kilda, Carlton and Essendon.

The Dockers climbed to seventh and gave themselves a chance of a home final, although the Kangaroos (eighth) will also be battling for that right should Geelong (sixth) fall to Sydney at Simonds Stadium on Saturday.

But Fremantle coach Ross Lyon said his only focus was continuing the hard work which has helped his side reach this point.

"All I know is if you look too far ahead and focus on results and potential outcomes you get far too distracted," Lyon told reporters.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott said his club received a pre-finals reality check.

"This was always going to be a terrific finals dress rehearsal in terms of pressure," Scott said.

"It was disappointing we couldn't stand up to that. It is a relief that it is round 22 and not the first week of the finals so we get another chance."

Third-placed Adelaide all but sewed up a double chance and kept themselves in the hunt for a home final with Sunday's 22.18 (150) to 11.15 (81) MCG thrashing of Melbourne.

If the Crows beat Gold Coast on Saturday and Sydney fall to the Cats or Hawthorn lose to West Coast, Adelaide will start the finals at home.

Geelong downed the Western Bulldogs 16.11 (107) to 11.7 (73) at Simonds Stadium.

Hawthorn top the ladder, ahead of the Swans and Crows on percentage, after Saturday night's thrilling 15.12 (102) to 14.11 (95) win over Sydney at the SCG.

West Coast replaced Collingwood in the top four after convincingly beating the Magpies 15.17 (107) to 8.10 (58) at Patersons Stadium.

Carlton dramatically increased the pressure on coach Brett Ratten with their 15.8 (98) to 11.20 (86) loss to Gold Coast.

Essendon's late-season collapse continued with Friday night's 13.24 (102) to 8.9 (57) loss to Richmond.

St Kilda thrashed Greater Western Sydney 25.13 (163) to 5.5 (35) and Brisbane beat Port Adelaide 16.8 (104) to 14.9 (93).

The final round will cap an intriguing Coleman Medal battle, with six players within seven goals of Fremantle's Matthew Pavlich (60).

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