(Simon Morawetz is an AFL fan and BPL Citizen Journalist.)

North Melbourne has sent a stern warning to the teams occupying the lower spots in the top eight, reminding them that they will have to earn their place in the finals. The Kangaroos dealt Fremantle a 98-point hiding at Etihad Stadium, shooting them to within two points of eighth-placed Sydney.

The Swans play sixth-placed St Kilda tomorrow in what will be a defining game for both teams. Following Essendon's loss to West Coast this afternoon, both Sydney and North have a good shot at the finals.

In short, while the top five spots are all but set in stone, the remaining three could fall anywhere.

Fremantle had had the chance to assert their own finals credentials but produced a timid performance, reinforcing the belief that they cannot win in Melbourne, and certainly not at Etihad Stadium.

Their tough draw (they play Collingwood next week) and yet another potentially serious injury - this time to their skipper Matthew Pavlich, who was subbed off in the second quarter with a calf injury - suggests that their 2011 campaign is over.

Freo had kicked the opening goal of the game but North booted five of the next six to open up a 17-point lead. They then kicked the only four of the second term to have the result sewn up by the main break.

Andrew Swallow was sensational in the midfield with 30 disposals, while Aaron Edwards and Cameron Pedersen kicked three goals apiece.

Ruckman Todd Goldstein's meteoric rise is well documented, and his ability to match the man-mountain Aaron Sandilands will further his push for an All-Australian jumper.

Meanwhile, in the other Saturday night game, Collingwood suffered a mild scare against a fast-finishing Brisbane. The Pies saw their 46-point three-quarter time lead cut to just three goals after the Lions booted seven goals in the final term.

However, the Pies never really seemed too concerned. The four points are far more important than percentage as they look to seal top spot.

Amazingly, the 18-point win was Collingwood's third worst result of the year.

Earlier, West Coast's push for the top four was boosted as they dispatched Essendon at Patersons Stadium.

The Bombers again finished with reduced numbers on the bench as Andrew Welsh, Stewart Crameri, and skipper Jobe Watson all suffered injuries.

They had been able to match it with the home side for a time, but their limited rotations caught up with them as the Eagles ran away with the last seven goals of the game for a 57-point win.

The result means the Eagles only need to beat either Adelaide or Brisbane to finish in the top four. Essendon must beat Port Adelaide next week to ensure their place in the eight before the Bombers have a bye weekend in round 24.

In the Gold Coast, twin towers Kurt Tippett and Taylor Walker combined for eight goals as Adelaide cruised to a 61-point win over the Suns.

Scott Thompson suffered a severe case of leather poisoning after accumulating a staggering 51 disposals, just two short of Greg Williams' 22-year-old record.

The win was Mark Bickley's third from his four games in charge, strengthening his claim for the job next season, and propelled the Crows out of the bottom four for the meantime.

On Friday night, Hawthorn secured their double chance with a blistering first half against Carlton. The Hawks kept the Blues to just one goal to half time, opening up a 38-point lead.

However, the Blues woke up after half time to fight back valiantly. They put immense pressure on the tiring Hawks but ultimately fell 12 points short.

Lance Franklin booted four goals to tighten his grip on this year's Coleman Medal. He has ten goals on Richmond's Jack Riewoldt, although the Tiger spearhead does have one more game to play.