1. Hawthorn
52 points (13 wins, three losses) 119.5 per cent
With four games at the MCG and another in Tasmania still to come, the Hawks now seem good things for a top-two finish – the perfect launching pad for their assault on the four-peat. Supporters are mindful that they beat the Swans in Sydney last year only to be rolled by Richmond at the MCG the following week. But with 10 days to prepare this time, the Hawks will surely bring their A-game for what will be a fabulous occasion, champion midfielder Sam Mitchell's 300th game. Any Hawthorn supporter who doesn't get to the MCG on Sunday is a mug.
The run home
Rd 18: Richmond (MCG)
Rd 19: Carlton (Aurora Stadium)
Rd 20: Melbourne (MCG)
Rd 21: North Melbourne (MCG)
Rd 22: West Coast (Domain Stadium)
Rd 23: Collingwood (MCG)
2. Adelaide
48 points (12 wins, four losses), 132.7 per cent
That's now eight straight wins for the Crows and they're at the stage where they're winning games comfortably, even while not playing all that well and Saturday night against the Magpies was a case in point. Their last loss came against Geelong at home in round eight, but they'll be itching for the return game on Saturday night, even at Simonds Stadium in what might be their biggest test for the rest of the home and away season. Win that, and it is virtually impossible to see them being dislodged from the top two given their draw.
The run home
Rd 18: Geelong (Simonds Stadium)
Rd 19: Essendon (Adelaide Oval)
Rd 20: Brisbane Lions (Adelaide Oval)
Rd 21: Fremantle (Domain Stadium)
Rd 22: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
Rd 23: West Coast (Adelaide Oval)
• Nine things we learned from round 17
3. Western Bulldogs
48 points (12 wins, four losses), 121.5 per cent
A good few weeks have helped elevate the Dogs to third, but their next few weeks are tricky, starting with the Saints, the Etihad Stadium specialists, in what should be a fun, run and gun Saturday night at the footy. They might be without Jake Stringer, who hurt his shoulder on the weekend, but the plus side is the great return of Clay Smith after three knee reconstructions. Tom Boyd kicked a goal, and looked OK, but he needs a solid run at it from now. A tally of 15.17 was a reasonable return on the weekend after a few quiet weeks on the scoreboard.
The run home
Rd 18: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 19: Geelong (Simonds Stadium)
Rd 20: North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 21: Collingwood (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 22: Essendon (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 23: Fremantle (Domain Stadium)
4. Greater Western Sydney
44 points (11 wins, five losses), 136.5 per cent
The atmosphere at the Gabba on Sunday was more akin to a Sheffield Shield game. Next Sunday against Port Adelaide, now with a sniff of making the finals, will be about 100 times more intense. The Giants responded well after such a poor outing against Collingwood last week, but the question hovering over this emerging group will be whether they can maintain their energy and consistency for the rest of the season. The Port game will be very revealing.
The run home
Rd 18: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
Rd 19: Richmond (Manuka Oval)
Rd 20: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium)
Rd 21: West Coast (Spotless Stadium)
Rd 22: Fremantle (Spotless Stadium)
Rd 23: North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium)
5. Sydney Swans
44 points (11 wins, five losses), 135.5 per cent
The Swans have lost too many matches at the death for it to be sheer coincidence and their lack of composure and poor decision making at the end of the Richmond, Bulldogs and now, Hawthorn games has cost them a top spot and for now, the double chance. The upside is that the Swans will have Kurt Tippett and Sam Reid back for the finals and they're needed – Lance Franklin can't carry this team on his own shoulders. Carlton this week affords them the chance to get back on track, but there remain some tricky games thereafter.
The run home
Rd 18: Carlton (SCG)
Rd 19: Fremantle (Domain Stadium)
Rd 20: Port Adelaide (SCG)
Rd 21: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 22: North Melbourne (Blundstone Arena)
Rd 23: Richmond (SCG)
6. West Coast
44 points (11 wins, five losses), 133.8 per cent
The look on Adam Simpson's face post-game said it all. West Coast gained four points, but not much else against the Blues on Sunday. The Eagles led by 33 points late in the third term against a demoralised opponent, but only fell in by seven points. They were saved by the bell and blew a gilt-edged chance to grow their percentage. The reality for the Eagles is their best 22 probably doesn't stack up against the best in the competition and certainly doesn't appear good enough to win finals on the road.
The run home
Rd 18: Melbourne (Domain Stadium)
Rd 19: Collingwood (MCG)
Rd 20: Fremantle (Domain Stadium)
Rd 21: GWS (Spotless Stadium)
Rd 22: Hawthorn (Domain Stadium)
Rd 23: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
7. Geelong
44 points (11 wins, five losses), 132.2 per cent
It took a great game from Patrick Dangerfield to get Geelong home against Fremantle on Friday night and as one of the few Cats in really good form, another star turn will be needed against his former club this coming weekend. What works for the Cats over the remaining six weeks is that they play the better teams at Skilled Stadium, so they're every chance to run the table from here. Then again, the gap between the good Geelong and the bad Geelong in 2016 has been too large for comfort.
The run home
Rd 18: Adelaide (Simonds Stadium)
Rd 19: Western Bulldogs (Simonds Stadium)
Rd 20: Essendon (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 21: Richmond (MCG)
Rd 22: Brisbane Lions (Gabba)
Rd 23: Melbourne (Simonds Stadium)
• Cat goes on a spree. Who impressed for your club in this weekend's state leagues?
8. North Melbourne
40 points (10 wins, six losses), 109.7 per cent
The loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday was really disappointing for the Kangaroos and looking at their draw to come, it is hard to find the three wins they probably need to book their finals hope for good. Maybe Collingwood next week and probably the Saints the week after that (the night Brent Harvey breaks the AFL games record) but then what? Injuries haven't helped North in the second half of the year, but the Kangas then took their strongest team for weeks into the Port Adelaide game and mailed it in. The naysayers from earlier this year are feeling more vindicated by the week, sad to say.
The run home
Rd 18: Collingwood (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 19: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 20: Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 21: Hawthorn (MCG)
Rd 22: Sydney Swans (Blundstone Arena)
Rd 23: GWS (Etihad Stadium)
9. Port Adelaide
32 points (eight wins, eight losses) 109.9 per cent
The AFL's most infuriating team was at it again on Saturday, playing like millionaires to handily beat North Melbourne. When the Power are on, they're great to watch, but the mystery from week to week is which Port Adelaide will turn up. It would be a brave punter to confidently forecast which four of Port's remaining six it will win in order to be a realistic finals hope, but it can be said with certainty that the upcoming Sunday twilight clash with GWS is non-negotiable.
The run home
Rd 18: GWS (Adelaide Oval)
Rd 19: Brisbane Lions (Gabba)
Rd 20: Sydney Swans (SCG)
Rd 21: Melbourne (Adelaide Oval)
Rd 22: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
Rd 23: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium)
10. St Kilda
32 points (eight wins, eight losses) 90.5 per cent
Hard to believe that the Saints have a bunny, but Melbourne it is. That's 14 wins and counting against the Demons and their impressive 36-point win elevated them from 13th to 10th and leaves them in the mix for the finals. Alan Richardson has built a team that thrives at Etihad Stadium and the Saturday night clash with the Dogs should be a beauty. Win that and they become serious finals contenders because they're good enough to win every game thereafter.
The run home
Rd 18: Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 19: North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 20: Carlton (MCG)
Rd 21: Sydney Swans (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 22: Richmond (MCG)
Rd 23: Brisbane Lions (Etihad Stadium)
11. Melbourne
28 points (seven wins, nine losses) 101.3 per cent
Three games out with six to play, we can probably put a line through the Demons from here. They can't play Etihad Stadium, nor Domain Stadium (where they play next week and haven't win since 2004) and they haven't beaten Hawthorn, who they play after that, since 2006. Paul Roos should be furious after the Saints performance. It wasn't good enough for a team with a sniff of September.
The run home
Rd 18: West Coast (Domain Stadium)
Rd 19: Gold Coast (MCG)
Rd 20: Hawthorn (MCG)
Rd 21: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval)
Rd 22: Carlton (MCG)
Rd 23: Geelong (Simonds Stadium)
12. Collingwood
28 points (seven wins, nine losses) 91.8 per cent
Played OK in Adelaide on Saturday night without ever really looking like winning. But they remain dangerous spoilers and the four top-eight teams still on their schedule will tread carefully.
The run home
Rd 18: North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 19: West Coast (MCG)
Rd 20: Richmond (MCG)
Rd 21: Western Bulldogs (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 22: Gold Coast (Etihad Stadium)
Rd 23: Hawthorn (MCG)
13. Richmond
28 points (seven wins, nine losses) 88.9 per cent
Might not have beaten the Bombers on Saturday without some Dustin Martin magic. The 'mini-rejuvenation' is on and while they are mathematically alive in 2016, it is all about next year and beyond for the Tigers. They might cause the Hawks some anxious moments this Sunday because, well, that's what they tend to do.
The run home
Rd 18: Hawthorn (MCG)
Rd 19: GWS (Manuka Oval)
Rd 20: Collingwood (MCG)
Rd 21: Geelong (MCG)
Rd 22: St Kilda (MCG)
Rd 23: Sydney Swans (SCG)
• After the siren: Is Martin marching towards a Brownlow?
