For the past 18 weeks, AFL dream team coaches have

been sculpting their lists, enhancing their assets and trimming fat to reach this point.

As of right now, every coach still has some hope of some form of virtual silverware. The brains that manage the AFL Dream Team have seen fit to have a ‘‘minor premiership’’ for the bottom eight clubs in each league, presumably so that someone in every league can fight for the honour of finishing ninth — the Richmond Memorial Cup, so to speak.

From Sunday night, for a quarter of all dream teams on the catwalk, it all comes to an end. Exit stage left.

This weekend 50 per cent of the dream teams will be in elimination finals — proper for teams five through eight, or minor for those ranked 13-16.

That has got to affect strategy.

For those facing a sudden, ugly departure there is little point in holding back on your trades. Use ’em or lose ’em. By now, it’s practically too late to makeover a playing squad, unless you are (a) almost a certainty to win your first final, or (b) have the double chance. There is still time for a nip and tuck, though.

Earlier in the season, simply trading like for like would have been a poor option. Better to bring in a cheap

young star of the future with room to upgrade your mid-range clothes horse, and save the salary cap cash for

a stunner later. As the Gavernators face an elimination final, thanks to back-to-back losses, we are faced with the prospect of there not being a later.

About 12 weeks ago, I took a punt on Fremantle’s Dylan Roberton. His place in the back pocket at the Dockers has been taken by Bacchus Marsh lad Nick Suban (scores of 111 and 87 in the past two weeks) — his place at the Gavernators, now likewise.

There is also the question of players like Heath Shaw, missing with a back injury for a fortnight. In an elimination final, you can’t really afford to have a duck egg in one position. Shaw is listed as facing a fitness test — if he is not named on Thursday, I will ditch him