The Brisbane Lions are still a mathematical chance of playing Finals this season – however the odds are well and truly stacked against them.

For the Lions to scrape into September with their current percentage, they would effectively need ALL of the following scenarios to eventuate:

> Lions win ALL of their remaining four games against Richmond (MCG), Greater Western Sydney (Gabba), Western Bulldogs (Gabba), and Geelong (Simonds Stadium)

> Port Adelaide lose ALL of their remaining four games against Geelong (Simonds Stadium), Gold Coast (AAMI Stadium), Fremantle (Patersons Stadium) and Carlton (AAMI Stadium)

> Carlton  defeat Port Adelaide in Round 23, but lose at least two of their other three matches against Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium), Richmond (MCG), and Essendon (MCG)

> North Melbourne and West Coast  each lose at least one of their final four matches

The possible permutations in the run home are endless, and are enough to give anyone a headache.

But the faint glimmer of Finals isn’t the only motivation for the Lions as they approach the final month of the home-and-away season.

There is a possibility that the Lions could secure their second most wins in a season and second highest finishing position in nine years.

Only once since they were defeated in the 2004 Grand Final have the Lions won more than 10 matches or finished higher than 10^th position on the AFL ladder – and that was in 2009 when the Club last played Finals.

If the Lions were to win at least three of their final four matches, they would finish the season with 11 wins and could even potentially move inside the ‘top 10’.

But more importantly, a strong finish would give the Club, its players, and fans a real sense of hope and optimism heading into the off-season.

LIONS RESULTS SINCE 2004