• Forecast the final eight with the 2014 ladder predictor
• Fantasy round review: Veteran big guns remind coaches why they'll always be royals
• Around the state leagues: Waite injured, De Boer returns
1. Hawthorn
44 points (11 wins, three losses) 147.9 per cent
Another hamstring injury to Cyril Rioli could not have come at a worse time for the Hawks, who were just regrouping in preparation for a tough run home. The reigning premiers play four of their final eight games against top-four contenders - Fremantle (away), nemesis Geelong, Collingwood and the rampaging Sydney Swans. Finals hopefuls North Melbourne and Adelaide (away) also a wait but Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs should provide some respite. If they can win those four games, and nab wins against Geelong and Collingwood, then the Hawks should secure a top-four berth. But they will need some luck on the injury front.
The run home:
Rd 16: North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
Rd 17: Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Rd 18: Sydney Swans at the MCG
Rd 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
Who's going to make it? Check out the 2014 ladder predictor
2. Port Adelaide
44 points (11 wins, three losses) 141.9 per cent
The Power were knocked from top spot on Sunday following a loss to arch-rivals Adelaide. It was just their second defeat of the season and they now join the Hawks and the Swans on three losses. Given Port Adelaide's favourable finish though - it plays four bottom-half teams - the club should have no issues locking in a double chance. The challenges for the Power are overcoming the Swans in round 20 and finishing the home and away season with a trip to Perth to face Fremantle. The race will be tight though, with just percentage separating the top three teams.
The run home:
Rd 16: Essendon at Adelaide Oval
Rd 17: Richmond at Etihad Stadium
Rd 18: Melbourne at Adelaide Oval
Rd 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
3. Sydney Swans
44 points (11 wins, three losses) 137.9 per cent
The Swans are in red-hot form having won their past 10 games and John Longmire’s men have a dream run home. Only two games remain against top-eight sides, although they will be anything but straightforward – Hawthorn and Port Adelaide both away, the only sides above them on the ladder. But they also face strugglers St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, and have two clashes with Richmond. Anything but a top-four finish would be a shock.
The run home:
Rd 16: West Coast at Patersons Stadium
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
4. Fremantle
40 points (10 wins, four losses) 132 per cent
The Dockers have a fantastic draw in the run home and are right in top-four calculations. After a narrow win in the derby against the Eagles, Fremantle now has a relatively easy month. The Dockers face Melbourne, GWS, St Kilda and Carlton and should beat all four. The toughest task for the Dockers comes 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.
The run home:
Rd 16: Melbourne at TIO Stadium
Rd 17: Greater Western Sydney at Patersons Stadium
Rd 18: St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
Rd 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
5. Geelong
40 points (10 wins, four losses) 106.8 per cent
The Cats are just outside the top four on percentage and have a reasonable run home and a rapidly diminishing injury list, so a top-four berth is not out of the question. After back-to-back six day breaks against Gold Coast and Essendon, the draw has now opened up for the Cats. North Melbourne, Fremantle and Hawthorn shape as tough opponents, but 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 16: Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium
Rd 17: Melbourne at the MCG
Rd 18: Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium
Rd 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
Another hamstring injury to Cyril Rioli could not have come at a worse time for the Hawks, who were just regrouping in preparation for a tough run home. The reigning premiers play four of their final eight games against top-four contenders - Fremantle (away), nemesis Geelong, Collingwood and the rampaging Sydney Swans. Finals hopefuls North Melbourne and Adelaide (away) also a wait but Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs should provide some respite. If they can win those four games, and nab wins against Geelong and Collingwood, then the Hawks should secure a top-four berth. But they will need some luck on the injury front.
The run home:
Rd 16: North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
Rd 17: Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Rd 18: Sydney Swans at the MCG
Rd 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
Who's going to make it? Check out the 2014 ladder predictor
2. Port Adelaide
44 points (11 wins, three losses) 141.9 per cent
The Power were knocked from top spot on Sunday following a loss to arch-rivals Adelaide. It was just their second defeat of the season and they now join the Hawks and the Swans on three losses. Given Port Adelaide's favourable finish though - it plays four bottom-half teams - the club should have no issues locking in a double chance. The challenges for the Power are overcoming the Swans in round 20 and finishing the home and away season with a trip to Perth to face Fremantle. The race will be tight though, with just percentage separating the top three teams.
The run home:
Rd 16: Essendon at Adelaide Oval
Rd 17: Richmond at Etihad Stadium
Rd 18: Melbourne at Adelaide Oval
Rd 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
3. Sydney Swans
44 points (11 wins, three losses) 137.9 per cent
The Swans are in red-hot form having won their past 10 games and John Longmire’s men have a dream run home. Only two games remain against top-eight sides, although they will be anything but straightforward – Hawthorn and Port Adelaide both away, the only sides above them on the ladder. But they also face strugglers St Kilda and the Western Bulldogs, and have two clashes with Richmond. Anything but a top-four finish would be a shock.
The run home:
Rd 16: West Coast at Patersons Stadium
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
4. Fremantle
40 points (10 wins, four losses) 132 per cent
The Dockers have a fantastic draw in the run home and are right in top-four calculations. After a narrow win in the derby against the Eagles, Fremantle now has a relatively easy month. The Dockers face Melbourne, GWS, St Kilda and Carlton and should beat all four. The toughest task for the Dockers comes 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.
The run home:
Rd 16: Melbourne at TIO Stadium
Rd 17: Greater Western Sydney at Patersons Stadium
Rd 18: St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
Rd 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
5. Geelong
40 points (10 wins, four losses) 106.8 per cent
The Cats are just outside the top four on percentage and have a reasonable run home and a rapidly diminishing injury list, so a top-four berth is not out of the question. After back-to-back six day breaks against Gold Coast and Essendon, the draw has now opened up for the Cats. North Melbourne, Fremantle and Hawthorn shape as tough opponents, but 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 16: Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium
Rd 17: Melbourne at the MCG
Rd 18: Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium
Rd 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
The Cats are set for another finals campaign but Chappy and the Dons may find it tough. Picture: AFL Media
6. Collingwood
36 points (nine wins, five losses) 114.1 per cent
Sunday's win over Carlton combined with the Kangaroos' slip-up in Brisbane leaves the Pies with a surer foothold in the top eight. But a testing period lies ahead, with one game against Hawthorn remaining, one against Port Adelaide and Saturday's away clash against Gold Coast shaping as tough assignments. The Pies also have, to use a golfing analogy, tricky three-footers against Essendon, Adelaide and West Coast at Patersons Stadium. The only wins to pencil in are the games against the Brisbane Lions and Greater Western Sydney. Five wins would be enough for a finals spot but Collingwood is long odds to finish top four.
36 points (nine wins, five losses) 114.1 per cent
Sunday's win over Carlton combined with the Kangaroos' slip-up in Brisbane leaves the Pies with a surer foothold in the top eight. But a testing period lies ahead, with one game against Hawthorn remaining, one against Port Adelaide and Saturday's away clash against Gold Coast shaping as tough assignments. The Pies also have, to use a golfing analogy, tricky three-footers against Essendon, Adelaide and West Coast at Patersons Stadium. The only wins to pencil in are the games against the Brisbane Lions and Greater Western Sydney. Five wins would be enough for a finals spot but Collingwood is long odds to finish top four.
The run home:
Rd 16: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
Rd 17: Essendon at the MCG
Rd 18: Adelaide at the MCG
Rd 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
7. North Melbourne
32 points (eight wins, six losses) 110 per cent
The Roos have had an inconsistent year and a shock loss to the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night has all but shut the door on a top-four finish. They should, however, make the finals comfortably with a relatively easy draw. Five of the Roos' eight remaining games are against this year's bottom-six sides. They play just two top-eight teams in Hawthorn and Geelong, which will prove a challenge but North should still finish comfortably in the top eight.
The run home:
Rd 16: Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium
Rd 17: St Kilda at Blundstone Arena
Rd 18: Carlton at Etihad Stadium
Rd 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
8. Gold Coast
32 points (eight wins, six losses) 101.2 per cent
The Suns are holding onto that final spot in the eight with Essendon breathing down their necks. A shock win over the Cats helped their cause greatly a fortnight ago but a disappointing performance against Hawthorn on Saturday wasn't ideal. The task doesn't get any easier, with a meeting against Collingwood next weekend at Metricon Stadium. But following that, Gold Coast has a favourable run home although there are several danger games including away matches against Carlton and Essendon and Port Adelaide at home.
The run home:
Rd 16: Collingwood at Metricon Stadium
Rd 17: Western Bulldogs at Cazaly's Stadium
Rd 18: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 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
Rd 16: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
Rd 17: Essendon at the MCG
Rd 18: Adelaide at the MCG
Rd 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
7. North Melbourne
32 points (eight wins, six losses) 110 per cent
The Roos have had an inconsistent year and a shock loss to the Brisbane Lions on Saturday night has all but shut the door on a top-four finish. They should, however, make the finals comfortably with a relatively easy draw. Five of the Roos' eight remaining games are against this year's bottom-six sides. They play just two top-eight teams in Hawthorn and Geelong, which will prove a challenge but North should still finish comfortably in the top eight.
The run home:
Rd 16: Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium
Rd 17: St Kilda at Blundstone Arena
Rd 18: Carlton at Etihad Stadium
Rd 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
8. Gold Coast
32 points (eight wins, six losses) 101.2 per cent
The Suns are holding onto that final spot in the eight with Essendon breathing down their necks. A shock win over the Cats helped their cause greatly a fortnight ago but a disappointing performance against Hawthorn on Saturday wasn't ideal. The task doesn't get any easier, with a meeting against Collingwood next weekend at Metricon Stadium. But following that, Gold Coast has a favourable run home although there are several danger games including away matches against Carlton and Essendon and Port Adelaide at home.
The run home:
Rd 16: Collingwood at Metricon Stadium
Rd 17: Western Bulldogs at Cazaly's Stadium
Rd 18: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 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
Gary Ablett could lead the Suns to their maiden September appearance. Picture: AFL Media
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9. Adelaide
28 points (seven wins, seven losses) 105 per cent
The Crows kept their finals hopes alive with a stirring victory over cross-town rivals Port Adelaide on Sunday and are now just one win outside of the top eight. They play four lower-ranked teams on the run home. The big tests will come against Hawthorn and Collingwood in the next month, while the round 22 clash against North Melbourne looms as a potential crunch game for both sides with the Roos looking to hold onto their spot in the top eight. There is every chance the Crows sneak into finals.
The run home:
Rd 16: Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium
Rd 17: Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval
Rd 18: Collingwood at the MCG
Rd 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 Oval10. Essendon
28 points (seven wins, seven losses) 104.9 per cent
Essendon faces a tough task to make the finals after a stuttering first half of the season. Forgetting the long-term injury to captain Jobe Watson, it doesn't have a friendly run home, facing four current top-eight teams with two of those in the top four. After a narrow loss to Geelong on Friday night, the Bombers face Port Adelaide (at Adelaide Oval) and Collingwood in successive weeks. The Bombers haven't taken their chances against bottom-placed sides, and this will likely hurt them.
The run home:
Rd 16: Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Rd 17: Collingwood at the MCG
Rd 18: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium
Rd 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
11. West Coast
24 points (six wins, eight losses) 110.6 per cent
Already two games outside of the top eight, the Eagles face a huge task to play finals despite their draw being relatively kind. With a loss to Fremantle at the weekend, West Coast now hosts an in-form Swans outfit. Travel is also an issue for the Eagles with a trip to Brisbane off a six-day break and another short break to face Essendon in Melbourne in round 21. Even if the Eagles negotiate all of that successfully, they still make the longest road trip in the AFL in round 23 to face the Suns at Metricon Stadium in a game that could potentially determine eighth spot.
The run home:
Rd 16: Sydney Swans at Patersons Stadium
Rd 17: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 18: Richmond at Patersons Stadium
Rd 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
12. Western Bulldogs
20 points (five wins, nine losses) 82.4 per cent
The Bulldogs have been a vastly improved side over the past month, offering faint hope for their September chances. A win over Melbourne on Sunday put them within three wins of the top eight but they face a tough run home. Five out of their final eight games will be against sides currently entrenched inside the top eight, while they also face Essendon who will be eager to keep their finals hopes alive. An improved effort on the start of their season, but it's unlikely the Dogs will feature in September.
The run home:
Rd 16: Geelong at Simonds Stadium
Rd 17: Gold Coast at Cazaly's Stadium
Rd 18: Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Rd 19: Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium
Rd 20: St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
Rd 21: North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium
9. Adelaide
28 points (seven wins, seven losses) 105 per cent
The Crows kept their finals hopes alive with a stirring victory over cross-town rivals Port Adelaide on Sunday and are now just one win outside of the top eight. They play four lower-ranked teams on the run home. The big tests will come against Hawthorn and Collingwood in the next month, while the round 22 clash against North Melbourne looms as a potential crunch game for both sides with the Roos looking to hold onto their spot in the top eight. There is every chance the Crows sneak into finals.
The run home:
Rd 16: Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium
Rd 17: Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval
Rd 18: Collingwood at the MCG
Rd 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 Oval10. Essendon
28 points (seven wins, seven losses) 104.9 per cent
Essendon faces a tough task to make the finals after a stuttering first half of the season. Forgetting the long-term injury to captain Jobe Watson, it doesn't have a friendly run home, facing four current top-eight teams with two of those in the top four. After a narrow loss to Geelong on Friday night, the Bombers face Port Adelaide (at Adelaide Oval) and Collingwood in successive weeks. The Bombers haven't taken their chances against bottom-placed sides, and this will likely hurt them.
The run home:
Rd 16: Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Rd 17: Collingwood at the MCG
Rd 18: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium
Rd 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
11. West Coast
24 points (six wins, eight losses) 110.6 per cent
Already two games outside of the top eight, the Eagles face a huge task to play finals despite their draw being relatively kind. With a loss to Fremantle at the weekend, West Coast now hosts an in-form Swans outfit. Travel is also an issue for the Eagles with a trip to Brisbane off a six-day break and another short break to face Essendon in Melbourne in round 21. Even if the Eagles negotiate all of that successfully, they still make the longest road trip in the AFL in round 23 to face the Suns at Metricon Stadium in a game that could potentially determine eighth spot.
The run home:
Rd 16: Sydney Swans at Patersons Stadium
Rd 17: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 18: Richmond at Patersons Stadium
Rd 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
12. Western Bulldogs
20 points (five wins, nine losses) 82.4 per cent
The Bulldogs have been a vastly improved side over the past month, offering faint hope for their September chances. A win over Melbourne on Sunday put them within three wins of the top eight but they face a tough run home. Five out of their final eight games will be against sides currently entrenched inside the top eight, while they also face Essendon who will be eager to keep their finals hopes alive. An improved effort on the start of their season, but it's unlikely the Dogs will feature in September.
The run home:
Rd 16: Geelong at Simonds Stadium
Rd 17: Gold Coast at Cazaly's Stadium
Rd 18: Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Rd 19: Hawthorn at Aurora Stadium
Rd 20: St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
Rd 21: North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Sydney Swans at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium
