• Forecast the final eight with the 2014 ladder predictor
• Fantasy round review: A forward-line stacked with Swans? You could do worse
• Around the state leagues: Reid unscathed in VFL hit-out
1. Sydney Swans
52 points (13 wins, three losses) 143.5 per cent
The Swans continued their red-hot form with a 71-point pounding of Carlton and now have the week off to prepare for a blockbuster clash against Hawthorn at the MCG. John Longmire's men will take some catching at the top of the ladder if they can beat the Hawks. Potentially tricky games against Essendon and Port Adelaide follow but with St Kilda, the Western Bulldogs and Richmond to finish the season, the Swans are in pole position for a top-two finish.
The run home:
Rd 17: Carlton at the SCG
Rd 18: Hawthorn at the MCG
Rd 19: Essendon at the SCG
Rd 20: Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Rd 21: St Kilda at the SCG
Rd 22: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Richmond at ANZ Stadium
Who's going to make it? Check out the 2014 ladder predictor
2. Fremantle
48 points (12 wins, four losses) 142.5 per cent
Fremantle has climbed into the top two after its win over GWS and has a very favourable fixture in the run home. With a clash against cellar-dwelling St Kilda next round, Freo should tighten its grip on a top-two spot before facing Carlton at home. The toughest tasks for the Dockers – who have won eight straight - come in the final four rounds. They face Geelong away, Hawthorn at home, the Lions in Brisbane and then Port Adelaide at home in round 23. A home qualifying final looks increasingly likely.
The run home:
Rd 18: St Kilda at Etihad StadiumRd 19: Carlton at Patersons Stadium
Rd 20: Geelong at Simonds Stadium
Rd 21: Hawthorn at Patersons Stadium
Rd 22: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 23: Port Adelaide at Patersons Stadium
3. Hawthorn
48 points (12 wins, four losses) 139.9 per centThe Hawks steadied the ship with a crucial win over Adelaide, but it will be crunch time when they meet the rampaging Sydney Swans in round 18. Victory could set up Hawthorn's top-two push, with the Western Bulldogs and Melbourne to come, but a loss could expose the Hawks to a fierce top-four battle. The reigning premiers will be desperate to avoid a scenario where they need to win their last three games against Fremantle, nemesis Geelong and Collingwood to guarantee a finals double chance.
The run home:
Rd 18: Sydney Swans at the MCGRd 19: Western Bulldogs at Aurora Stadium
Rd 20: Melbourne at the MCG
Rd 21: Fremantle at Patersons Stadium
Rd 22: Geelong at the MCG
Rd 23: Collingwood at the MCG
4. Geelong
48 points (12 wins, four losses) 112.4 per centA combination of three straight wins and Port Adelaide's stumbles has propelled Geelong back into the top four. Percentage could be important this season and the Cats will want to be ruthless against Greater Western Sydney before the bye. A tough run follows against North Melbourne, Fremantle, Carlton and Hawthorn. Rounding out their home and away campaign at home to the Brisbane Lions gives them the chance to hit the finals in top form.
The run home:
Rd 18: Greater Western Sydney at Spotless StadiumRd 19: North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
Rd 20: Fremantle at Simonds Stadium
Rd 21: Carlton at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Hawthorn at the MCG
Rd 23: Brisbane Lions at Simonds Stadium
5. Port Adelaide
44 points (11 wins, five losses) 133.9 per centAfter an eight-game winning streak mid-season, the Power's season has come to a screeching halt. Port has lost four of its past five games and has tumbled from the top of the ladder to fifth. What looked to be a relatively straightforward run home suddenly seems considerably trickier. Port simply has to beat Melbourne before the bye or, unbelievably, its top-four hopes could be in serious jeopardy.
The run home:
Rd 18: Melbourne at Adelaide OvalRd 19: Collingwood at the MCG
Rd 20: Sydney Swans at Adelaide Oval
Rd 21: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
Rd 22: Carlton at Adelaide Oval
Rd 23: Fremantle at Patersons Stadium
The top four suddenly looks a long way off for the formerly high-flying Power. Picture: AFL Media
6. North Melbourne
40 points (10 wins, six losses) 115.5 per centNorth got off the rollercoaster with a routine win over St Kilda and, even though the Roos are two games outside the top four, could still challenge for a double chance. The Roos have one of the easiest draws of any finals contender, with their biggest tests coming against Geelong and Adelaide. A late surge up the ladder is possible if Brad Scott's men can muster some consistency.
The run home:
Rd 18: Carlton at Etihad StadiumRd 19: Geelong at Etihad Stadium
Rd 20: Greater Western Sydney at Startrack Oval
Rd 21: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Adelaide at Blundstone Arena
Rd 23: Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
7. Essendon
36 points (nine wins, seven losses) 110 per centThe Bombers jumped three rungs on the ladder following their thumping win over the Pies and the draw is about to open up for Mark Thompson's men. While the improving Western Bulldogs will be a challenge next round, the Bombers' confidence will be sky high. Essendon only meets one other current top-eight team, the Sydney Swans, on the run home. A round 22 clash against Gold Coast could be pivotal for both sides.
The run home:
Rd 18: Western Bulldogs at Etihad StadiumRd 19: Sydney Swans at the SCG
Rd 20: Richmond at the MCG
Rd 21: West Coast at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Carlton at the MCG
8. Collingwood
36 points (nine wins, seven losses) 106.6 per centThe pressure is certainly on Nathan Buckley's men after four losses in five games. It wasn't that long ago that the Pies were top-four hopefuls. Now they face a battle just to play finals and will drop out of the eight if they can't overcome Adelaide after the bye. The next three games against the Crows, Power and Eagles will be season-defining. Matches against the Lions and GWS are the only wins that could be pencilled in at this stage.
The run home:
Rd 18: Adelaide at the MCGRd 19: Port Adelaide at the MCG
Rd 20: West Coast at Patersons Stadium
Rd 21: Brisbane Lions at the MCG
Rd 22: Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium
Rd 23: Hawthorn at the MCG
Collingwood's midfield has some work to do to keep touch with the flag contenders. Picture: AFL Media
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9. Gold Coast
36 points (nine wins, seven losses) 99.5 per centThe Suns' loss to the Western Bulldogs has raised the stakes in the next three weeks against the Brisbane Lions, St Kilda and Carlton. Gold Coast probably needs to win those matches before stepping up in class against Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium and Essendon on the road. Even with three wins from the next five, the Suns could need a round 23 win over West Coast at home to seal an inaugural finals berth.
The run home:
Rd 18: Brisbane Lions at the GabbaRd 19: St Kilda at Metricon Stadium
Rd 20: Carlton at Etihad Stadium
Rd 21: Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium
Rd 22: Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: West Coast at Metricon Stadium
10. Adelaide
32 points (eight wins, eight losses) 108.4 per cent
Despite falling short against Hawthorn, the Crows are still well and truly in the finals race. Adelaide will most likely be back in the eight if it can overcome Collingwood at the MCG after the bye. Then the draw opens up nicely apart from a tricky meeting with North Melbourne in Hobart. The Crows should start favourites in four of their final five games - against West Coast, the Lions, Richmond and St Kilda. There is every chance the Crows could sneak into the finals.
The run home:
Rd 18: Collingwood at the MCGRd 19: West Coast at Adelaide Oval
Rd 20: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 21: Richmond at Adelaide Oval
Rd 22: North Melbourne at Blundstone Oval
Rd 23: St Kilda at Adelaide Oval
11. West Coast
28 points (seven wins, nine losses) 108.2 per centThe Eagles kept their season alive with a dour win over the Brisbane Lions and have closed to within two games of the eight. West Coast is not without a chance in any of its six games on the run home, although it would take a remarkable improvement in form to challenge for finals. Beating Richmond at home next round is a non-negotiable and the Eagles probably need to pinch at least two upset wins from meetings with the Crows, Collingwood and Essendon to stay in the race. They are almost certainly too far adrift.
The run home:
Rd 18: Richmond at Patersons StadiumRd 19: Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Rd 20: Collingwood at Patersons Stadium
Rd 21: Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Melbourne at Patersons Stadium
Rd 23: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
