Was it a coincidence that round 22 produced the first 'clean sheet' at the Match Review Panel, or has the countdown to finals convinced players that a misdemeanour isn't worth the trouble?

If the penny has dropped for those preparing for September action, it took some time and a number of key players will still be saddled with carryover points at the pointy end of the season.

Since round 16, there have been 21 MRP charges upheld, with 14 of those cases involving players from teams who are locked in to play finals. A further four involved players from teams fighting for the final spot in the top eight.

As a result, a number of key players will enter round 23 with dangerously high carryover points, which they will also have to carry through finals, leaving them vulnerable to suspension.

Fremantle goalsneak Michael Walters (93.75), Geelong star Steve Johnson (75.71), Port Adelaide forward Jay Schulz (80) and North Melbourne midfielder Daniel Wells (96.87) headline a long list.

Then there are potential finalists in West Coast's Josh Kennedy (82.81) and Luke Shuey (85.63) and Richmond's Brett Deledio (93.75) and Jack Riewoldt (60).

Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson knows all about the delicate situation players can find themselves in at the end of the season when they take bad records and carryover points into finals.

The Hawks lost star forward Lance Franklin for last year's qualifying final after he was suspended for one match for a late hit on Swan Nick Malceski.

When speaking about Brian Lake's standout performance against Geelong on Friday night, Clarkson referred to the four-match ban his tall defender has recently returned from.

"I think we're a better defence when he's in it and hopefully he can keep himself out of trouble in the last part of the year," Clarkson said.   

Lake was left with 10 points on his record but even that is enough to turn a level one rough conduct charge – which could normally be reduced to a reprimand – into an unavoidable suspension.

It is a quirk of the system that a player's suspension can be served but then return to haunt them down the track – just ask Brent Harvey, who will miss North Melbourne's opening final because of a six-match ban incurred during the 2012 finals.

CARRYOVER POINTS FOR EACH CLUB

Sydney Swans
Ryan O'Keefe     93.75
Jarrad McVeigh  45
Tom Derickx       93.75           
Jeremy Laidler    70.31

Hawthorn
Josh Gibson          70.31
Jarryd Roughead  8.05
Brian Lake             10
Cyril Rioli               87.5 (GF)

Geelong
Billie Smedts         93.75
Taylor Hunt            68.75
Mathew Stokes     68.75
Steve Johnson      75.71
Corey Enright        25 (finals week 1)

Fremantle
Hayden Ballantyne   59.38
Zac Dawson             97.5
Zac Clarke                93.75
Paul Duffield             70.31
David Mundy            70.31
Michael Johnson      70.31
Nat Fyfe                    76.25
Michael Walters        3.75
Nick Suban              50 (GF)
Chris Mayne             93.75 (finals week 1)

Port Adelaide
Jay Schulz               80
Kane Cornes            93.75
Hamish Hartlett        45.31

North Melbourne
Scott Thompson     68.75
Luke McDonald      60
Leigh Adams          70.31
Brent Harvey          41
Daniel Wells           96.87

More information on NMFC carryover points

Essendon
Brendon Goddard   68.75
Jason Winderlich    46.48
David Myers           45
Paul Chapman       45.31

Richmond
Ty Vickery              95
Steven Morris         87.5
Matt Thomas          64.06
Brett Deledio          93.75
Jack Riewoldt         60
Aaron Edwards       45
Reece Conca         43.75

Collingwood
Steele Sidebottom  18.75
Jarryd Blair              93.75
Clinton Young         93.75
Taylor Adams         45.31

West Coast
Josh Kennedy           82.81
Mark LeCras             26.56
Luke Shuey               85.63
Sharrod Wellingham  66
Patrick McGinnity      96.17

Adelaide
Richard Douglas     50

Gold Coast
Tim Sumner           93.75
Brandon Matera     68.75
Jarrod Harbrow      70.31
Rory Thompson     93.75
Tom Murphy           26.56