Multiple outlets report that Fremantle is close to securing the minor premiership/top spot, while the race for remaining finals positions is still open under the AFL’s new top-10 finals format. The coverage focuses on how Collingwood (the “Pies”) can still reach the top four despite criticism about their age and speed. Across the sources, the central point is that while one club’s position at the top is largely settled, nine other spots in the expanded finals series remain undecided and depend on the outcomes of remaining matches and ladder permutations. The articles frame Collingwood’s path as contingent on results in the final rounds and on how other contenders perform, rather than on a single guaranteed result. While specific match scenarios are not provided in the excerpts, the overall message is consistent: Collingwood remains mathematically in the top-four mix, and the changing finals structure keeps additional teams in contention longer than in previous seasons. The outlets present the situation neutrally, emphasizing the volatility of the ladder and the impact of remaining games.