Geelong
1st: 68 points (17 wins, one loss), 153.62 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: Melbourne at the MCG
Rd 20: Sydney Swans at Telstra Stadium
Rd 21: North Melbourne at Skilled Stadium
Rd 22: West Coast at Skilled Stadium

Could seal top spot next week if the Bulldogs slip up against North. The games against the Swans and North Melbourne will be useful warm-ups for the finals.

Western Bulldogs
2nd: 58 points (14 wins, three losses, one draw), 122.76 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: North Melbourne at Telstra Dome
Rd 20: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 21: Essendon at Telstra Dome
Rd 22: Adelaide at AAMI Stadium

While the Dogs remain in the box seat to hold off Hawthorn and keep second place, all four of their remaining games are against finals contenders.

Hawthorn
3rd: 56 points (14 wins, four losses), 125.63 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: Brisbane Lions at Aurora Stadium
Rd 20: Richmond at the MCG
Rd 21: West Coast at Subiaco Oval
Rd 22: Carlton at Telstra Dome

Now needing only one win to secure a top-four position, the Hawks will want the Dogs' second spot. They have a friendly draw, with all remaining games against bottom-eight sides.

Sydney Swans
4th: 42 points (10 wins, seven losses, one draw), 117.30 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: Fremantle at the SCG
Rd 20: Geelong at ANZ Stadium
Rd 21: Collingwood at Telstra Dome
Rd 22: Brisbane Lions at the SCG

Sunday's loss to the Dogs has the Swans looking over their shoulders. The games against Geelong and Collingwood will likely determine whether they hold onto fourth place.

North Melbourne
5th: 42 points (10 wins, seven losses, one draw), 98.37 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome
Rd 20: Carlton at Telstra Dome
Rd 21: Geelong at Skilled Stadium
Rd 22: Port Adelaide at the MCG

Four straight wins, and North trail the Swans only by a hefty chunk of percentage. Beat the Dogs next week and they could make the top four for the second straight year.

Adelaide
6th: 40 points (10 wins, eight losses), 106.35 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: Richmond at AAMI Stadium
Rd 20: Essendon at Telstra Dome
Rd 21: St Kilda at Telstra Dome
Rd 22: Western Bulldogs at AAMI Stadium

Suddenly one of the form teams, having beaten the Swans and Carlton in the last fortnight. If the Crows beat Richmond and Essendon as expected, and other results go according to ladder position, they will be fourth after round 20.

St Kilda
7th: 40 points (10 wins, eight losses), 101.08 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: Collingwood at the MCG
Rd 20: Fremantle at Subiaco Oval
Rd 21: Adelaide at Telstra Dome
Rd 22: Essendon at the MCG

Sunday's desperate come-from-behind win over Port Adelaide has given the Saints a four-point buffer over Collingwood. A win over the Pies next Saturday would put them firmly in the eight. Lose, and the job begins all over again.

Collingwood
8th: 36 point (nine wins, nine losses), 109.44 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: St Kilda at the MCG
Rd 20: Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
Rd 21: Sydney Swans at Telstra Dome
Rd 22: Fremantle at Subiaco Oval

Hanging in the eight by a whisker after being pummeled by Hawthorn. Saturday night's game against the Saints is crucial.

Brisbane Lions
9th: 36 points (nine wins, nine losses), 104.55 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium
Rd 20: Western Bulldogs at the Gabba
Rd 21: Carlton at the Gabba
Rd 22: Sydney Swans at the SCG

The next two games could sort the Lions out. Saturday's loss to North compounded recent howlers against Melbourne and Essendon, and they'll soon be relying on other teams slipping up.

Richmond
10th: 34 points (eight wins, nine losses, one draw), 94.25 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
Rd 20: Hawthorn at the MCG
Rd 21: Fremantle at the MCG
Rd 22: Melbourne at the MCG

The Tigers should have the firepower to beat Fremantle and Melbourne in rounds 21 and 22, which leaves their finals hopes hinging on the next two matches.

Carlton
11th: 32 points (eight wins, 10 losses), 95.74 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: Port Adelaide at Telstra Dome
Rd 20: North Melbourne at Telstra Dome
Rd 21: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 22: Hawthorn at Telstra Dome

Finals contenders one week, also rans the next. The Blues must now win their next three games, with Hawthorn an intimidating proposition in round 22.

Essendon
12th: 32 points (eight wins, 10 losses), 87.52 per cent

The run home:
Rd 19: West Coast at Subiaco Oval
Rd 20: Adelaide at Telstra Dome
Rd 21: Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome
Rd 22: St Kilda at Telstra Dome

With such a low percentage, the Dons remain hugely unlikely contenders, but they'll fancy their chances of beating the Eagles and Adelaide next up, in which case they'd begin the final fortnight with a 10-10 win-loss record.