The result mightn't have gone the way the Kangaroos hoped in yesterday's Swans and Saints clash, but Brad Scott’s message remains the same; win against St Kilda and Richmond, and the other results will take care of themselves.

But the question is; how will North Melbourne, currently on 36 premiership points, claim a spot in the final eight?

Simply put, North must win its final two games against St Kilda and Richmond and hope the other teams above it on the ladder lose. If North wins its remaining matches, it can finish with 44 premiership points and scrape into the eight.

If North is good enough to secure the available 8 points, either the Saints or Swans would still have to lose their remaining matches in order for the finals to be a reality.

Both sides are currently on 42 premiership points with St Kilda to play North and Carlton while Sydney has Geelong and Brisbane to go.

The only other scenario that would work in North’s favour in this circumstance is if Essendon, which has a bye in the final round, loses to Port Adelaide this week. It’s highly unlikely, although stranger things have happened.

However, the Kangaroos could still miss the finals despite getting the 8 points if Fremantle wins both of its matches and makes up a big differential in percentage. Fremantle is 16 percent behind and faces a tough run home with Collingwood and the Bulldogs to come.

North could also draw one of its matches and still be in with an outside hope. But it would need the Bombers to lose against the Power, or the Swans to lose both games and some percentage.

The best case scenario would be North winning its last two games and St Kilda, Sydney and Essendon fail to win another match. That would allow the Kangaroos to claim sixth spot on the ladder and a home final.

In a nutshell the best and easiest outcomes are:

North wins its final matches and Sydney loses its last two - North gets in.

Or

If North wins its final matches and St Kilda lose to Carlton in round 24 - North gets in.

Or

If North wins its final matches and Essendon lose to Port - North gets in.