CHARLES HAPPELL says AFL clubs - and their marketing departments - have hit the ground running this week and he wonders what happened to the 'off' season. 

In his critique of the Ross Lyon era, St Kilda fan MURRAY MIDDLETON says he bears Lyon no malice for leaving - just his short-sighted handling of the playing list which has left the club with a bleak short-term future.

The Sydney Swans have ended St Kilda's season with a 25-point win, and are now looking ahead to a clash with Hawthorn. SIMON MORAWETZ reports.

St Kilda secured itself a home final tonight after storming back to beat Carlton by 20 points at the MCG and, as CHARLES HAPPELL asks, which of the other finalists would want to come up against them now?

Dale Thomas' possible suspension will be Monday's major talking point, but the final round of matches is surprisingly light on for intrigue and suspense. As LIAM GETREU writes, everyone is hanging out for the first week of the finals.

St Kilda beat an insipid North Melbourne by 65 points in their match of the round tonight, but can they have an impact in the finals? SIMON MORAWETZ looks at the Saints' prospects.

In dissecting Round 23, TEAM BPL reckons there'll be a lot of feet taken off pedals this weekend as the four top teams go into self-preservation mode. For one of them, though, cruise-control could prove costly. 

ASHLEY BROWNE was entertained by the Saints and the Dockers on Friday night. Here are a few observations.

The bookies could be in for more pain as Round 20 serves up what looks like six lopsided games, including those involving Geelong and Collingwood, and two 50-50 propositions. TEAM BPL previews the action.

The career of St Kilda's Justin Koschitzke is threatening to become one of the great sporting tragedies, writes Saints' fan and acclaimed writer, MURRAY MIDDLETON.