FINAL WORD: All set for AFL's 20-day football frenzy of 33 games

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LUKE WEST: I tell you what, Bourkey old mate, I don't mind the look of this AFL ladder at the moment.

Essendon sitting above Collingwood, Carlton, Hawthorn and Richmond - probably our four biggest rivals - heading into round nine and the footy feast that will be 33 games played in 20 days.

How are you going to go getting hold of the remote at home over these next few weeks when we've got footy every night to watch?

ADAM BOURKE: It's a case of happy wife, happy life, so I probably won't be watching footy every night.

Mind you, it's fair to say I've lost a bit of interest in the AFL over the past couple of weeks.

That's not just because the Magpies are struggling.

Whether Collingwood is playing or not, the games are hard to watch.

The holding the ball decisions and free kicks in ruck duels aren't helping the enjoyment factor.

Maybe I'm just getting grumpy in my old age.

We're looking at an all-interstate grand final. Wouldn't surprise me one bit to see West Coast, Brisbane, Port Adelaide and GWS finish first to fourth on the ladder at the end of the home and away season.

LW: Bit of work for GWS to do yet with the Giants down in 12^th place, mind you, they are only one game off third spot.

The games may not be pretty, but at least it's a tight ladder where there's just two games separating first to 12^th.

Really enjoying the work of St Kilda at the moment and their win over Port Adelaide, along with West Coast's demolition of Collingwood, were the two most eye-catching of the weekend.

Plenty has been said about the Collingwood defence this season, but the Eagles have now strung together four wins in a row and given up scores of just 43, 34, 32 and 45. They are certainly getting an ominous look about them now that they are back home in the west.

AB: True, but they did play against witches hats after quarter-time last Sunday.

The way the season is panning out at the moment I could see myself jumping on the St Kilda bandwagon in October - or November, depending on when the finals are played.

The Saints are playing an exciting brand of footy, Brett Ratten is a ripper and the skipper Jarryn Geary is one of the best sporting stories to come out of Bendigo in the past 15 years.

The way they disposed of Port Adelaide in the final term last week was most impressive. The Saints have Sydney and Gold Coast in their next two matches. Two wins and they'll be well-placed for the top eight.

LW: It has been a long build for the Saints that certainly looks like it's starting to pay dividends.

Big test for my Bombers up at Metricon Stadium against the Brisbane Lions on Friday night.

We've got a double figure injury list that's just had Orazio Fantasia added to it as well with a calf. Hopefully, we can slow down ball magnet Lachie Neale, who is a short-priced Brownlow favourite at the moment.

AB: Lions by 28 points; Neale 26 touches.