The road to fifth place.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Yes, we will be a happy team at Hawthorn to simply qualify for finals.

Yes, the ladder predictor got a work out this afternoon.

But, in the realm of mathematical possibilities, a finish in fifth position is there for the taking (with a slight reliance on various results along the way).

The Hawks require the ‘underdogs’ to post a win in seven match-ups over the final five rounds of the year in order to make this happen.

By underdogs, we are referring to those clubs who currently sit beneath their respective opponent as the current ladder stands.

To make this feat feel more controllable, three of these ‘upsets’ would mean Hawthorn wins.

So, you could say, the ball is in our court.

Although, it is possible for the Hawks to win each of their remaining five games – meaning they finish the 2019 season on an eight-game winning streak – and still miss finals.

And, for the real sadists, the Hawks can still finish in last place – by losing every game, falling some 20 percentage points and seeing the likes of Gold Coast, Melbourne and Carlton round out the year as the in-form teams of the competition.

But, for those true fans crossing their fingers on an 11th finals berth in the past 13 seasons – prepare for a rollercoaster (and some sore fingers)!

Read: VFL player by player

Your checklist of the upsets* required on the pathway to fifth place

*where the inferior team according to the current ladder wins
 

Round 19

Hawthorn defeat Brisbane (UTAS Stadium)

Carlton defeat Adelaide (MCG)

 

Round 21

Hawthorn defeat Giants (UNSW Canberra Oval)

 

Round 22

Fremantle defeat Essendon (Optus Stadium)

Western Bulldogs defeat GWS (GIANTS Stadium)

 

Round 23

Gold Coast defeat GWS (Metricon Stadium)

Hawthorn defeat West Coast (Optus Stadium)