The race for this year’s minor premiership is set to go down to the wire with three teams in contention to finish the regular season on top of the ladder.

On Saturday night, Geelong will close out the home-and-away season with a huge game against ladder leaders Melbourne.

Ahead of this blockbuster clash geelongcats.com.au looks at the different scenarios and what a win or loss against the Demons could mean for the Cats come the first week of finals.

Minor Premier Contenders

Geelong currently sits second on the ladder with 16 wins and five losses after 22 rounds. Just 1.3% separates the Cats from the third placed Power. That equates to less than a goal with just three points separating the two sides for and against.

Both Geelong and Port Adelaide trail the Demons by two points after they drew their Round 18 game with Hawthorn.

The Western Bulldogs, Brisbane and Sydney will compete for the other positions inside the top four, but it will be a three-way battle between Melbourne, Geelong and Port Adelaide for the minor premiership.

What a win means...

Scenario 1: Finish 1st

Geelong def Melbourne
Western Bulldogs def Port Adelaide
Port Adelaide def Western Bulldogs (Lower percentage than Geelong)

Likely opponent in Qualifying Final: Geelong (1st) vs Port Adelaide (4th)

Scenario 2: Finish 2nd

Geelong def Melbourne
Port Adelaide def Western Bulldogs (Move ahead of Cats on percentage)

Likely opponent in Qualifying Final: Geelong (2nd) vs Melbourne (3rd)

What a loss means...

Scenario 3: Finish 3rd

Geelong def by Melbourne
Western Bulldogs def Port Adelaide

Likely opponent in Qualifying Final: Western Bulldogs (2nd) v Geelong (3rd)

Scenario 4: Finish 3rd

Geelong def by Melbourne
Port Adelaide def Western Bulldogs

Likely opponent in Qualifying Final: Port Adelaide (2nd) v Geelong (3rd)

Scenario 5: Finish 4th

Geelong def by Melbourne
Western Bulldogs def Port Adelaide (Power moves ahead of Geelong on percentage)

Likely opponent in Qualifying Final: Melbourne (1st) v Geelong (4th)