Geelong will require a win over Collingwood and for the Adelaide Crows to lose to West Coast in round 22 to set up a winner takes all round 23 showdown.

While many assumed the Cats draw with St Kilda would spell the end of their 2015 finals hopes, the Cats in fact sit in the same situation as they did prior to round 21.

However, should the Crows topple the Eagles at Adelaide Oval on Sunday afternoon the Cats' season will be all but over, with only a North Melbourne capitulation giving hope to a ninth-straight finals campaign.

The Cats kick off round 22 against the Magpies on Friday night and will look to make amends for two disappointing weeks.

The Cats will be left to rue a loss to Melbourne in round 12 and the draw with the Saints should they fail to make the finals.

But this season has seen numerous upsets, including the Demons also defeating Richmond and the Western Bulldogs, while reigning premier Hawthorn has suffered losses to Essendon and Greater Western Sydney.

For Cats to make finals:

Geelong def Collingwood

AND

West Coast def Adelaide

Winner of Geelong v Adelaide finishes 8th

OR

Geelong def Collingwood & Adelaide by approx. 90 points combined

North Melbourne lose to Western Bulldogs and Richmond by approx. 90 points combined

Geelong finish 8th

Previous clashes:

Cats v Pies – Rd 6 @ MCG – Geelong 15.10 def Collingwood 8.11

Cats v Crows – Match cancelled due to passing of Phil Walsh

Crows v Eagles – Rd 15 @ Domain Stadium – West Coast 22.15 def Adelaide 14.7

North v Bulldogs – Yet to play in 2015

North v Tigers – Rd 6 @ Bellerive – North Melb 16.13 def  Richmond10.14