THE RACE for a top-10 spot is set to intensify with North Melbourne, Collingwood and Carlton facing tough runs home as they chase a spot in September.

The Kangaroos (8-7) have risen into ninth on the ladder, but their final eight games of the home and away season are the equal hardest in the competition.

>>SCROLL DOWN TO SEE YOUR CLUB'S UPCOMING RUN

Six of North's remaining games are against teams currently in the top 10, including a brutal final month that includes matches against Hawthorn (third), the Western Bulldogs (eighth), Geelong (fourth) and Sydney (second).

That comes on the back of what has been the easiest fixture so far, with North having already faced Essendon (18th), Richmond (17th) and West Coast (16th) twice each.

There is no respite for the struggling Bombers, who alongside the Roos have the hardest run from here, while the Eagles' is the third most difficult.

Collingwood (10th) and Carlton (12th) are eyeing wildcard spots, but those hopes will be tested in the final two months of the home and away season.

19:39

Access: The most selfless player in the AFL, young Hawk is 'a mini Sam Mitchell'

Matthew Lloyd and Damian Barrett with the latest news and opinions from Round 16

Published on Jun 28, 2026

The Magpies' run is the fourth hardest, while Carlton's is the equal fifth most difficult, alongside Melbourne.

Collingwood will face four of the current top six and Josh Fraser's Blues – unbeaten under the interim coach – meet five top-10 sides.

Chasing a top-four finish, Geelong has had the hardest fixture so far, but the Cats, like a bunch of other finals contenders, face an easy run home.

Jeremy Cameron celebrates kicking a goal during the match between Geelong and Gold Coast at GMHBA Stadium in round 14, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

Hawthorn has the easiest run from here, with matches against the Bombers, Tigers and Eagles still to come, while the Cats' run home is the second softest.

Brisbane, Adelaide, St Kilda and Sydney have the next easiest runs, followed by high-flying Fremantle.

Each club's degree of difficulty is the average ladder position of its opponents. The lower the score, the harder the fixture is expected to be.

R17: v West Coast, Optus Stadium 
R18: v Gold Coast, Adelaide Oval 
R19: v Sydney, SCG 
R20: v Collingwood, Adelaide Oval
R21: v Essendon, Marvel Stadium
R22: v Richmond, Adelaide Oval
R23: v Fremantle, Optus Stadium
R24: v Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide Oval

Current ladder position: 6th (9-6)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 8.7 (equal third hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 11.1 (equal 15th hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 3
Upcoming interstate trips: 4

Jordan Dawson is tackled by Pat Lipinski during Adelaide's clash against Collingwood in round one, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v Geelong, GMHBA Stadium 
R18: v Essendon, Gabba 
R19: v West Coast, Optus Stadium 
R20: v Port Adelaide, Gabba
R21: v Carlton, Marvel Stadium
R22: v Hawthorn, Gabba
R23: v Gold Coast, Gabba
R24: v Collingwood, MCG

Current ladder position: 5th (9-6)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 8.9 (fifth hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 11.1 (equal 15th hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 3
Upcoming interstate trips: 4

Will Ashcroft in action during Brisbane's clash against Geelong in round 10, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

R17: v Richmond, MCG 
R18: v Hawthorn, MCG 
R19: v Collingwood, MCG 
R20: v Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium
R21: v Brisbane, Marvel Stadium
R22: v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium
R23: v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium
R24: v Fremantle, Marvel Stadium

Current ladder position: 12th (7-8)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 9.7 (11th hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 8.5 (equal fifth hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 5
Upcoming interstate trips: 0

Patrick Cripps and Scott Pendlebury compete for the ball during the match between Carlton and Collingwood at the MCG in round six, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v Gold Coast, People First Stadium 
R18: v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium 
R19: v Carlton, MCG 
R20: v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
R21: v Geelong, MCG
R22: v West Coast, Optus Stadium
R23: v Hawthorn, MCG
R24: v Brisbane, MCG

Current ladder position: 10th (7-1-7)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 9.4 (equal sixth hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 8.3 (fourth hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 5
Upcoming interstate trips: 3

Nick Daicos celebrates a goal as Matt Rowell reacts during Collingwood's win over Gold Coast in round 16, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium 
R18: v Brisbane, Gabba 
R19: v Greater Western Sydney, Marvel Stadium 
R20: v Hawthorn, MCG
R21: v Adelaide, Marvel Stadium
R22: v Geelong, GMHBA Stadium
R23: v Sydney, MCG
R24: v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium

Current ladder position: 18th (1-14)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 9.6 (10th hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 7.8 (equal hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 5
Upcoming interstate trips: 1

Sam Durham kicks the ball during Essendon's clash against Hawthorn in round one, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

R17: v Greater Western Sydney, Corroboree Group Oval Manuka 
R18: v Sydney, Optus Stadium 
R19: v Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval 
R20: v West Coast, Optus Stadium
R21: v Western Bulldogs, Optus Stadium
R22: v Melbourne, MCG
R23: v Adelaide, Optus Stadium
R24: v Carlton, Marvel Stadium

Current ladder position: 1st (14-1)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 9.5 (equal eighth hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 10 (12th hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 4
Upcoming interstate trips: 4

Caleb Serong and Ryley Sanders compete for the ball during Fremantle's clash against the Western Bulldogs in round eight, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

R17: v Brisbane, GMHBA Stadium 
R18: v Greater Western Sydney, Engie Stadium 
R19: v St Kilda, GMHBA Stadium 
R20: v Melbourne, MCG
R21: v Collingwood, MCG
R22: v Essendon, GMHBA Stadium
R23: v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
R24: v Richmond, GMHBA Stadium

Current ladder position: 4th (9-6)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 7.7 (hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 11.6 (17th hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 4
Upcoming interstate trips: 1

Bailey Smith and Harris Andrews during the round 10 match between Brisbane and Geelong at The Gabba, May 14, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v Collingwood, People First Stadium 
R18: v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval 
R19: v Western Bulldogs, People First Stadium 
R20: v Carlton, Marvel Stadium
R21: v Melbourne, People First Stadium
R22: v Greater Western Sydney, Corroboree Group Oval Manuka
R23: v Brisbane, Gabba
R24: v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium

Current ladder position: 11th (7-8)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 8.7 (equal third hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 9.4 (equal 10th hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 5
Upcoming interstate trips: 4

Noah Anderson is tackled by Matt Kennedy during Gold Coast's clash against the Western Bulldogs in round nine, 2025. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v Fremantle, Corroboree Group Oval Manuka 
R18: v Geelong, Engie Stadium 
R19: v Essendon, Marvel Stadium 
R20: v Sydney, Engie Stadium
R21: v Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
R22: v Gold Coast, Corroboree Group Oval Manuka
R23: v West Coast, Engie Stadium
R24: v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval

Current ladder position: 14th (6-9)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 9.8 (12th hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 9.1 (ninth hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 4
Upcoming interstate trips: 5

Lachie Ash is tackled by Willem Duursma during Greater Western Sydney's clash against Waalitj Marawar in round 10, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v Melbourne, UTAS Stadium 
R18: v Carlton, MCG 
R19: v Richmond, MCG 
R20: v Essendon, MCG
R21: v North Melbourne, UTAS Stadium
R22: v Brisbane, Gabba
R23: v Collingwood, MCG
R24: v West Coast, Optus Stadium

Current ladder position: 3rd (10-1-4)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 9.5 (equal eighth hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 11.8 (18th hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 4
Upcoming interstate trips: 4

Tim Taranto tackles Jai Newcombe during Richmond's clash against Hawthorn in round eight, 2025. Picture: Getty Images

R17: v Hawthorn, UTAS Stadium 
R18: v Richmond, MCG 
R19: v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium 
R20: v Geelong, MCG
R21: v Gold Coast, People First Stadium
R22: v Fremantle, MCG
R23: v Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
R24: v Western Bulldogs, MCG

Current ladder position: 7th (9-6)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 10.3 (16th hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 8.5 (equal fifth hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 5
Upcoming interstate trips: 3

Ned Reeves and Max Gawn compete in the ruck during Hawthorn's clash against Narrm in round 10, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

R17: v Port Adelaide, Adelaide Oval 
R18: v Collingwood, Marvel Stadium 
R19: v Melbourne, Marvel Stadium 
R20: v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium
R21: v Hawthorn, UTAS Stadium
R22: v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium
R23: v Geelong, Marvel Stadium
R24: v Sydney, SCG

Current ladder position: 9th (8-7)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 11.5 (18th hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 7.8 (equal hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 6
Upcoming interstate trips: 3

Dan Houston is tackled by Harry Sheezel during Collingwood's AAMI Community Series clash against North Melbourne on February 29, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v North Melbourne, Adelaide Oval 
R18: v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium 
R19: v Fremantle, Adelaide Oval 
R20: v Brisbane, Gabba
R21: v Greater Western Sydney, Adelaide Oval
R22: v Sydney, SCG
R23: v Melbourne, Adelaide Oval
R24: v Essendon, Marvel Stadium

Current ladder position: 15th (5-10)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 10.1 (15th hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 8.6 (equal seventh hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 5
Upcoming interstate trips: 4

Zak Butters and Jy Simpkin in action during North Melbourne's clash with Port Adelaide in round one, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v Carlton, MCG 
R18: v Melbourne, MCG 
R19: v Hawthorn, MCG 
R20: v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium
R21: v West Coast, MCG
R22: v Adelaide, Adelaide Oval
R23: v St Kilda, MCG
R24: v Geelong, GMHBA Stadium

Current ladder position: 17th (2-13)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 9.9 (equal 13th hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 8.6 (equal seventh hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 5
Upcoming interstate trips: 1

Tim Taranto in action during Richmond's clash against Carlton in round one, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v Essendon, Marvel Stadium 
R18: v Port Adelaide, Marvel Stadium 
R19: v Geelong, GMHBA Stadium 
R20: v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
R21: v Sydney, Marvel Stadium
R22: v Carlton, Marvel Stadium
R23: v Richmond, MCG
R24: v Gold Coast, Marvel Stadium

Current ladder position: 13th (6-9)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 9.4 (equal sixth hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 11 (14th hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 3
Upcoming interstate trips: 0

Hugo Garcia in action during St Kilda's clash against Port Adelaide in round five, 2026. Picture: Getty Images

R17: v Western Bulldogs, SCG 
R18: v Fremantle, Optus Stadium 
R19: v Adelaide, SCG 
R20: v Greater Western Sydney, Engie Stadium
R21: v St Kilda, Marvel Stadium
R22: v Port Adelaide, SCG
R23: v Essendon, MCG
R24: v North Melbourne, SCG

Current ladder position: 2nd (12-3)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 9.9 (equal 13th hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 10.5 (13th hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 3
Upcoming interstate trips: 3

Brodie Grundy in action during Sydney's clash against Greater Western Sydney in round six, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v Adelaide, Optus Stadium 
R18: v Western Bulldogs, Marvel Stadium 
R19: v Brisbane, Optus Stadium 
R20: v Fremantle, Optus Stadium
R21: v Richmond, MCG
R22: v Collingwood, Optus Stadium
R23: v Greater Western Sydney, Engie Stadium
R24: v Hawthorn, Optus Stadium

Current ladder position: 16th (4-11)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 10.5 (17th hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 8 (third hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 6
Upcoming interstate trips: 3

Harley Reid kicks the ball during West Coast's clash against Fremantle in round six, 2026. Picture: AFL Photos

R17: v Sydney, SCG 
R18: v West Coast, Marvel Stadium 
R19: v Gold Coast, People First Stadium 
R20: v Richmond, Marvel Stadium
R21: v Fremantle, Optus Stadium
R22: v North Melbourne, Marvel Stadium
R23: v Carlton, Marvel Stadium
R24: v Melbourne, MCG

Current ladder position: 8th (9-6)
Degree of difficulty OR-R16: 7.9 (second hardest)
Degree of difficulty R17-24: 9.4 (equal 10th hardest)
Upcoming games against current top 10: 4
Upcoming interstate trips: 3

Marcus Bontempelli is challenged by Jai Serong during the match between the Western Bulldogs and Sydney at Marvel Stadium in round seven, 2026. Picture: Getty Images