LAST year, North Melbourne confounded expectations to finish fourth and scrap its way to a preliminary final. Four games from home in 2008, the Roos stand poised to repeat history. Saturday's thrilling win over the Brisbane Lions was North's fourth in a row, lifting them to fifth place, behind the Sydney Swans only on percentage.

But North isn’t the only side the faltering Swans should be worried about. Adelaide has arrested its slide with consecutive wins over finals contenders, including a memorable victory over Carlton on Saturday. If the Crows beat Richmond and Essendon in the next two weeks and the Swans and North slip up against, say, Geelong and the Bulldogs, Adelaide will be fourth.

And St Kilda staked its own top-four claims with Sunday's desperate come-from-behind win over Port Adelaide. The Saints have a four-point gap over eighth-placed Collingwood, which they meet at the MCG on Saturday.

At the top of the ladder, Hawthorn all but sealed a top four spot with Friday's pounding of Collingwood, while Geelong marches on.

Further down the rankings, five teams now appear to be fighting for the last finals spot - currently occupied by Collingwood. The Brisbane Lions, Richmond, Carlton and Essendon could all still make the eight, with the Lions best placed but 12th-placed Essendon in strongest form.

Here’s who plays who in the final month of home-and-away footy. Remember, you can keep on top of all the machinations as the season unfolds with afl.com.au's interactive ladder.


The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.