Simpson: The top four is locked in stone

Through eight rounds of the 2026 season, premiership coach Adam Simpson believes the top eight is all but locked in.

With a range of tight results over the course of Round 8, the top 14 sides have established a clear advantage over the bottom four, while the percentage difference between the top four and the remainder of the competition sets them apart after a range of excellent starts.

Given the introduction of the top 10 format, the chase for a September berth is wide open, however according to Simpson, very little change within the top eight is expected from here out.

"I think the top four is locked. We are done, lock it in stone," Simpson told SEN's Whateley.

"I think the top eight is done apart from maybe one change, and that is based on history. The history suggests by now, seven out of the eight are locked in.

"That's why I think the Wildcard Round and the top 10 is important, because four or five sides fighting for that last spot in the eight, but also the top 10 positions.

"The top four - Sydney, Fremantle, Hawthorn and Brisbane. There could be change, but normally, you don't see too much.

"The next four is Gold Coast, Geelong, Melbourne and Collingwood.That rounds out the top eight right now. History will say that there is one change out of that group.

"Just outside the top eight, you've now got St Kilda, North Melbourne, Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs - they are the next four. That's why that top 10 is really important.

"Beneath that, Port Adelaide, the GWS Giants, and then you're done. I think we're done with the top eight. I think it's pretty locked.

"There might be one change - at the moment, Collingwood are eighth and St Kilda are ninth, and you do have the Bulldogs sitting back there, and the Giants - the coach sounded pretty casual saying 'we're a finals team'.

Gerard Whateley added: "Whether you like it or not, this is the charm of nine and 10 being live.

"The Giants can actually plot out a run to a wildcard position rather than the chase to grab eighth place. Nine and 10 is very much in sight."

Simpson: "There's six teams chasing nine and 10. At the moment, it's St Kilda, North, Adelaide, the Bulldogs, Port Adelaide and the Giants, all fighting for two spots, which I think is healthy.

"I promise you, at Round 15 we will know everything, and those last seven or eight weeks we can discuss this piece."