No footy in Victoria, a Brisbane versus Port Adelaide grand final at the Gabba looms large and Essendon and Carlton actually look like good football teams.

Makes you appreciate the good old days.

Kieran Iles: Credit to all those teams you've mentioned, well, with the exception of Essendon. You know my history in that regard, was tough being schooled in Moonee Ponds and Essendon as a youngster, who barracked for Richmond, one or two out against a mob of Bombers supporters. Scarred me for life, well, until 2017. But there's a decidedly odd feel to it all.

Certainly going to be a different last Saturday in September, or third Saturday in October, or second Saturday in November this year, however far we get - if we get there at all.

AB: The pressure is getting to everyone, including your mate Damien Hardwick.

The Tigers aren't playing great and the strain is getting to Dimma. His comments about the Swans after the game last weekend were odd to say the least. Are your Tigers flag contenders this year?

KI: Only by virtue of the fact that it's a dead set lottery.

Not playing anywhere near good enough and they have a few key injuries to boot.

But they're hanging in at sixth and I reckon, like the season itself, finals will be as open as a can of worms on fishing day. Book a spot in the eight and you can win from anywhere.

AB: We're one third of the way through the season, so it's not a big sample size, but right now who makes the top eight for you?

Port Adelaide and Brisbane are top-four locks.

Geelong, Collingwood, GWS, Richmond and, unfortunately, Essendon should make the top eight as well. That leaves one spot left. I'd love to see St Kilda make it, but at the moment there is a big gap between the Saints' best and worst.

It looks like West Coast is going to play at home for the rest of the season, so I'll take them to fill out my eight.

Who is in your top eight?

KI: To fall from contention at 5-1 would be, dare I say it, very Port Adelaide-like. But it won't happen. Lock them in. Brisbane a definite to finish one or two.

Essendon is playing as well as anyone and I think after the events of recent years, they seem to relish the adversity, which they will now have to face plenty away from home for what will seem like forever.

Geelong is staying put, ditto for Collingwood, who will beat the Cats. GWS will find a way, so that leaves two.

You're right, West Coast with a glut of games at home gets through.

Richmond misses. You're going to question my credentials here, but just as sure as there will be an extreme long-shot get up at Lord's Raceway tonight, Gold Coast Suns secure the eighth and final 'golden ticket'.

AB: I learned a long time ago to treat your racing tips with the same amount of respect Mark Waugh had for off-spinners - very little. Your footy tips might be heading down the same path.

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