MELBOURNE'S loss to Geelong is set to cost the Demons a top-six finish, according to our reporters.

The Demons fell to the Cats by 20 points at the MCG on Friday night in what could prove to be a costly defeat.

LADDER PREDICTOR Who will make the eight, who will miss out?

AFL.com.au's team of journalists have used our Ladder Predictor to predict the results for the final four rounds of the season, with the Dees tipped to finish seventh.

The top four remains unanimous with Fremantle, Sydney, Brisbane and Hawthorn set to earn a double chance.

Positions five to nine are a little less certain, while all eight of our participating journalists have St Kilda finishing 10th.

And it means while the order is uncertain, the make-up of the top 10 is also unanimous.

19:32

ACCESS: The contender with a gear 'nobody else has', Sydney's 'missing Avenger’

Michael Voss joins Damian Barrett to review an action-packed Round 20

Published on Jul 26, 2026

Carlton, only out on percentage after round 20, is set to miss September action, according to our experts.

There is no change at the bottom despite Richmond hosting West Coast at the MCG this week, with the Tigers tipped to claim the wooden spoon.

AFL.com.au's predicted ladder

1) Fremantle
2) Sydney
3) Brisbane
4) Hawthorn
5) Adelaide
6) Geelong

7) Melbourne
8) Western Bulldogs
9) Collingwood
10) St Kilda

11) Greater Western Sydney
12) Carlton
13) Port Adelaide
14) North Melbourne
15) Gold Coast
16) West Coast
17) Essendon
18) Richmond