Previously, Carlton missed the '92 finals with 14 wins, when it was a top-six system.
So the loser of Sunday's Marvel Stadium blockbuster between the Western Bulldogs and Fremantle will be incredibly stiff. They will then sweat on the result of Wednesday's match between Gold Coast and Essendon.
Given the Suns are the home team and the injury-riddled Bombers are limping to the end of the season with a 12-game losing streak, it looks a formality that Gold Coast will win and make their first finals series at the expense of whoever comes off second-best at Marvel.
Fremantle are seventh on 15 wins, while the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast have 14 in a season of haves and have-nots, between the top nine and the bottom nine.
No team in VFL/AFL history has missed the finals with 15 wins - not even when it was a top four.
"It's a final in itself, 100 per cent. It will be a big occasion," Bulldogs forward Rhylee West said of Sunday's season-defining clash.
While the Bulldogs' poor record against other finals contenders this season is significant, they will start slight favourites on the back of a four-game winning streak.
They had the ideal hitout last Sunday, belting wooden spooners West Coast by 94 and unveiling yet another father-son recruit.
Jordan Croft, son of Matthew, took a couple of strong marks on debut and kicked two goals. While he is slightly built and the Dockers' defence will be a much tougher proposition, Croft slotted in nicely as a third tall forward alongside Sam Darcy and Aaron Naughton.
With Jamarra Ugle-Hagan out for the season, and potentially about to leave the Bulldogs, Croft's debut after a run of injuries is timely regardless of whether the Bulldogs reach the finals.
"His first year and parts of this year have been riddled with a few injuries - he wasn't able to get consistency," teammate and fellow father-son recruit Rhylee West told AAP.
"But the last four-five weeks in the VFL, he's been really good, really solid. His run and jump was really special, he provided a lot.
"If he can kick a few more goals and take a few more marks like that, he'll be really valuable to our side.
"What he can provide as that third tall is special, because sometimes not all clubs have backmen who are 200 centimetres."
West was among four Bulldogs who kicked three goals apiece against the Eagles, emphasising the potency of their attack.
The Bulldogs recalled small forward Arty Jones and Fremantle regained midfielder Hayden Young from injury in a massive boost.
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