In 2016, the Western Bulldogs charged from seventh on the ladder to the premiership.

This week on the Real Footy podcast, Michael Gleeson, Jake Niall and Sam McClure discuss how open the flag race is this season and whether we could see a team from the bottom half of the eight make it to the last Saturday in September.

Speaking of finals spots, there’s a fight for places and the stakes are high each week for those still in the hunt. There is very little margin for error. How many wins will teams need to get in? How much will percentage play a role?

Though there are no perfect teams this year and it’s hard to pick a standout contender, Geelong are coming off a big win over the Demons in which they showed they are bona fide flag contenders. There are still some areas that the Cats would be less than confident about, even if you can make the case that they should be favourites for the flag.

Melbourne, on the other hand, are struggling to find a forward mix that works, and can’t seem to score. While their issues could be addressed for next season by getting important players back from injury or maybe even through trades, that won’t help them in 2022. We discuss that and the other areas of concern that are showing up in the Demons’ game.

Gold Coast pulled off one of their best wins against Richmond. But while it was great signs for the Suns, including Noah Anderson showing his class on – and after – the siren, things are not looking so rosy for the Tigers. With key injuries, particularly in the ruck department, they’re going to be a small team for the immediate future. Richmond have constructed a premiership forward line out of necessity in the not-too-distant past. Can they do it again now with their midfield?

A decision not to pay a free kick had the footy world talking last weekend and Jack Ginnivan was at the centre of it. Are certain players umpired differently, and is that to be expected or avoided? We discuss umpire coaching and how much reputation plays into decisions.

Plus, why teams will essentially be returning to hub life come September, the disappointing Dogs, where Jaidyn Stephenson is at and whether criticism of him is entirely fair, whether Ben Rutten and the Bombers have done enough to fend off the spectre of Alastair Clarkson and much more.

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