Round 20 has failed to end the finals hopes of any of the teams queuing for top eight spots.
Wins to Richmond and West Coast over finals contenders Essendon and Collingwood, plus Gold Coast’s big loss to Carlton have further muddled the possibilities with only three rounds to play.
Here an updated guide to what’s ahead for the seven clubs fighting for three spots:
6. North Melbourne
44 points (11 wins, eight losses) 114.3 per cent
Now has a small gap on some of the other teams must win next round before hosting Adelaide in Hobart..
The run home:
Rd 21: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Adelaide at Blundstone Arena
Rd 23: Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
7. Adelaide
40 points (ten wins, nine losses) 112.4 per cent
Adelaide jumped three places with the big win over Brisbane but has no breathing space. Drop any of the last three game and the Crows risk falling out of the eight.
The run home
Rd 21: Richmond at Adelaide Oval
Rd 22: North Melbourne at Blundstone Oval
Rd 23: St Kilda at Adelaide Oval
8. Essendon
40 points (ten wins, nine losses) 105.9 per cent
The loss to Richmond puts the Bombers right under the pump. Now faces a surging West Coast but could also end the season of two top eight rivals in the next fortnight.
The run home:
Rd 21: West Coast at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Gold Coast at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Carlton at the MCG
9. Collingwood
40 points (ten wins, nine losses) 100.9 per cent
Sunday’s loss to West Coast means Collingwood probably needs to win its last three game while relying on other teams dropping games.
The run home:
Rd 21: Brisbane Lions at the MCG
Rd 22: Greater Western Sydney at Spotless Stadium
Rd 23: Hawthorn at the MCG
10. Gold Coast
40 points (ten wins, nine losses) 97.2 per cent
With their relatively poor percentage, the Suns will almost certainly need to get to 13 wins to be a chance toplay in their first finals series.
The run home:
Rd 21: Port Adelaide at Metricon Stadium
Rd 22: Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: West Coast at Metricon Stadium
11. West Coast
36 points (nine wins, ten losses) 111.8 per cent
The win over Collingwood keeps the Eagles in the mix but they can’t afford any slip ups.
The run home:
Rd 21: Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Melbourne at Patersons Stadium
Rd 23: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
12. Richmond
36 points (nine wins, ten losses) 104.1 per cent
Six consecutive wins have the Tigers fans happy and set up a huge clash with Adelaide next Saturday night. But even three more wins may not be enough to get into the top eight.
The run home:
Rd 21: Adelaide at Adelaide Oval
Rd 22: St Kilda at MCG
Rd 23: Sydney at ANZ Stadium
