Craig McRae could have clapped all he wanted.
No amount of Ted Lasso-style positivity would have brightened the mood at AFL House late on Sunday afternoon.
The weekend's two draws - the first time since 1977 that it's happened in the same round - were the historic thrillers that also sucked a lot of oxygen out of the finals race.
Introducing the wildcard finals was supposed to mean more games of consequence at the end of the regular season.
They are certainly a copy of the extended playoff formats that have reaped extra revenue for Major League Baseball and the NBA.
But just as the top eight was settled well before round 24 last year, so the top 10 cannot change heading into this last home and away weekend.
As Carlton players celebrated their draw with the Western Bulldogs on Sunday, they also shut the door on 11th-placed St Kilda and 12th-placed GWS.
So round 24 will start on Thursday night with the mother of all dead rubbers - St Kilda hosting Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium.
Collingwood's draw with Hawthorn on Saturday night had McRae clapping his players and urging them to celebrate it like a win.
But as Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell sat stunned in his coach's box, wondering what it meant, their result also sharply reduced the top-10 permutations.
For example, a dream Collingwood-Carlton wildcard final is now unlikely.
And given the eighth-placed Magpies have little to play for, they are one of the clubs most likely to test the recent edict from AFL football boss Greg Swann.
At the start of this month, Swann warned clubs against resting players ahead of the finals. But with the Magpies now heading to a wildcard final, will they play the Daicos brothers and Darcy Cameron in their round-24 match against Brisbane?
Why would they bring Brayden Maynard, Jeremy Howe and Patrick Lipinski back from injury this Friday night?
The Bulldogs, another wildcard team, have already rested their banged-up captain Marcus Bontempelli as he deals with an achilles injury.
Minor premiers Fremantle and second-placed Sydney likewise cannot lose their spots - although the Swans suddenly have a lot more on their minds, given Mondays' sexual assault allegations engulfing the club.
ROUND 24 - WHAT'S AT STAKE
THURSDAY
St Kilda v Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium - dead rubber
FRIDAY
Collingwood (8th) v Brisbane (3rd), MCG - Lions need the win to confirm the double chance. Magpies most likely into a wildcard final.
SATURDAY
Carlton (10th) v Fremantle (top), Marvel Stadium - Blues will play a wildcard final, Dockers are minor premiers.
Melbourne (5th) v Western Bulldogs (9th), MCG - Demons need the win to avoid a wildcard final and can still make top four. Bulldogs will be one of the wildcard teams.
Geelong (6th) v Richmond, GMHBA Stadium - Cats will start strong favourites and should avoid a wildcard spot.
Adelaide (7th) v GWS (12th), Adelaide Oval - The Crows can finish in the top six with a win, but need other results going their way.
SUNDAY
Essendon v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium - dead rubber.
Sydney v North Melbourne, SCG - Swans will finish second, North's season is over.
West Coast (16th) v Hawthorn (4th) - Hawks are strong favourites and a win will confirm their double chance.
