Mid West AFL players set for top-eight fight with Carlton, Fremantle in important clashes

The Mid West AFL players at Carlton are in a fight to stay in the top eight, headlining round 22 action for players from the region.

Just two rounds ago the Blues were in second place, but with the margin for error so small in such a close season, the side need to win to stay within grasp of finals.

It won’t be easy as they take on the in-form Hawks at the MCG on Sunday afternoon.

Northampton’s Patrick Cripps will need to continue to perform at his lofty standards, while Towns’ Jack Martin will be looking to have a greater impact after returning to the side.

Martin celebrated game No.150 last week, kicking two goals from 13 disposals.

Chapman Valley’s Jack Carroll could return to the league side, with the Blues’ injury list stretching to 14 players this week.

Railways’ Jaegar O’Meara and Fremantle find themselves in a similar position, looking to get back in the top four when they take on fifth-placed Geelong.

The Dockers gave up a 25-point lead in the last quarter to lose by one point against Essendon, dropping their position on the ladder from third to sixth.

West Coast will be looking to make it two wins in a row when they take on a much-improved North Melbourne in Tasmania.

Northampton’s Jamie Cripps and Rover Liam Ryan both contributed in last week’s victory over the Suns, and they will be looking to keep it going against Rams product Brynn Teakle’s Kangaroos.

Demon Judd McVee’s Melbourne will take on the in-form Power, who shocked the AFL world with a 112-point win over Coorow-Latham product Logan McDonald’s Sydney Swans.

The Swans have been on a decline, losing four of their past five games, and could drop from top spot if they don’t fire against Collingwood on Friday night at the SCG.