Embattled Essendon coach Matthew Knights has put his total faith in the AFL club honouring his contract as speculation rages about his future.

Brisbane beat the Bombers by 27 points on Sunday after a horrific week for Knights and the club.

But in the wake of the 14.11 (95) to 10.8 (68) result, Essendon's third-straight loss, Knights was calm and measured, insisting he would coach next season.

Knights said he had a great rapport with Essendon chairman David Evans and chief executive Ian Robson.

"I'm very confident that come round one next year, I will be sitting up in that coach's box and David and Ian have never given me any other reason to think otherwise," he said.

The comment from Essendon legend James Hird on Wednesday that he would like to coach them one day dramatically inflamed the situation ahead of their post-season review of the football department.

Even though Hird later retracted the comment, the damage was done.

But Knights noted that Essendon had stuck with his predecessor Kevin Sheedy for 27 years and insisted he has never contemplated that the club might sack him.

"Great clubs have great strength in that area and they stay the course, that's what gives me huge belief that there are going to be no issues," Knights said.

"This club has had a tradition and history of supporting - they supported a coach for 27 years."

Injuries again cruelled Essendon on Sunday. Patrick Ryder's late withdrawal meant they had only seven players in the team with more than 50 games' experience.

Collingwood sealed their first minor premiership in 33 years but it came after a scare, winning 6.18 (54) to 7.9 (51) against a brave Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday night.

The Western Bulldogs are limping into September after a 44-point loss to Sydney 17.12 (114) to 10.10 (70) on Saturday night.

Unsettled by a hamstring injury to Brownlow Medallist Adam Cooney, which coach Rodney Eade later blamed on the SCG turf, the Dogs were unable to spoil the party for co-captain Brett Kirk and coach Paul Roos in their final games at the SCG.

Bulldogs veteran Brad Johnson's season and career are in doubt after the skipper suffered an Achilles injury against the Swans.

Matthew Primus boosted his case to be in charge of Port Adelaide in 2011 with a 29-point win over Melbourne, 17.10 (112) to 11.17 (83) at AAMI Stadium on Sunday.

It was his fourth win from six games as caretaker coach, while a highlight for Melbourne was Liam Jurrah's stunning leap which could land him the award for mark of the year.

Ninth-placed North Melbourne marked captain Brent Harvey's 300th game by coming from behind in the last quarter to beat bottom side West Coast 16.14 (110) to 14.10 (94) at Subiaco Oval.

Fremantle coach Mark Harvey defended his team's selections and attacked the AFL fixture after Hawthorn mauled the second-string Dockers by 116 points in Launceston.

Fremantle rested seven players for Saturday's 24.11 (155) to 5.9 (39) loss to Hawthorn.

With Collingwood, Geelong, St Kilda and the Bulldogs secure in the top four after round 21, Sydney, Fremantle, Hawthorn and Carlton are battling for the right to host elimination finals.

Harvey's Dockers host the Blues at Subiaco Oval to kick off round 22 on Friday.

Fremantle have lost five of their past seven matches.

Richmond's Jack Riewoldt won the Ian Stewart Medal for best-afield with a seven-goal effort in a losing side at Etihad Stadium on Saturday, moving his season tally to 75 goals, six ahead of Bulldog Barry Hall.

St Kilda beat the Tigers 17.13 (115) to 14.10 (94) with Leigh Montagna gathering 42 possessions.

Geelong had a class advantage over Carlton 18.13 (121) to 12.7 (79) on Friday night at Etihad Stadium.

However the Cats face an anxious wait with forward James Podsiadly's looming suspension for a clumsy high challenge on Carlton's Bryce Gibbs and Gary Ablett nursing a hand injury.

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