1. Richmond

52 points (13 wins, four losses), 137.9 per cent
It looks like reasonably smooth sailing for the reigning premier, which plays four of its last five games at its MCG stronghold. In fact, when the Tigers meet Collingwood in front of what is sure to be a massive crowd next round, they will have the chance to win a record 18th successive game at the 'G. Despite potentially tricky clashes with the Pies, Geelong and Essendon, a top-two-finish appears inevitable – the box seat for a crack at back-to-back flags. - Ben Collins

The run home
R19: Collingwood @ MCG
R20: Geelong @ MCG
R21: Gold Coast @ Metricon Stadium
R22: Essendon @ MCG
R23: Western Bulldogs @ MCG

LADDER PREDICTOR Where will your club finish?

2. West Coast

52 points (13 wins, four losses), 125.8 per cent
The Eagles are firmly ensconced inside the top four thanks to Sydney's shock loss to Gold Coast and picked up some handy percentage with a 54-point romp against the Bulldogs on Sunday. A top-two spot is within sight, but the next month will be tricky, starting with a trip to Hobart against a desperate Kangaroos outfit. If the Eagles can sneak at least one away victory against the Roos or Power, while winning their two remaining home games and road trip to face Brisbane they should be sure of two home finals. - Travis King

The run home
R19: North Melbourne @ Blundstone Arena
R20: Fremantle @ Optus Stadium
R21: Port Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
R22: Melbourne @ Optus Stadium
R23: Brisbane @ Gabba

FROM THE TWOS Who put their hand up in the second tier?

3. Collingwood

48 points (12 wins, five losses), 121.7 per cent
Next week against Richmond promises to be one of the games of the season and a win would boost the Pies' chances of an all-important top-two spot, which would open the possibility of Nathan Buckley's side not having to leave the MCG in September. In this form, the Magpies could be favourites in their final four matches, especially considering Sydney's unflattering form at the SCG this year (4-5), although they all seem tricky encounters. - Dinny Navaratnam

The run home
R19: Richmond @ MCG
R20: Sydney @ SCG
R21: Brisbane @ Etihad Stadium
R22: Port Adelaide @ MCG
R23: Fremantle @ Optus Stadium

THINGS WE LEARNED It's decision time for Suns

4. Sydney

44 points (11 wins, six losses), 114.2 per cent
Sydney's upset loss to the Suns on Saturday was devastating for its September prospects. The 24-point defeat means the Swan dropped out of the top four and was a huge blow to their hopes of claiming a double chance. They have a tough finish to the home-and-away season. Games against Collingwood (round 20) and Hawthorn (round 23) at the SCG – where the Bloods' form has been poor this year – loom large. The Swans are at least one win, but probably two, away from locking in a finals berth. - Riley Stuart

The run home
R19: Essendon @ Etihad Stadium
R20: Collingwood @ SCG
R21: Melbourne @ MCG
R22: Greater Western Sydney @ Spotless Stadium
R23: Hawthorn @ SCG 

FANTASY FORM WATCH Lion hits his straps

5. Port Adelaide

44 points (11 wins, six losses), 113.1 per cent
A top-four spot remains within the Power's grasp with five rounds to go, however they're also no guarantee of featuring in the top eight. They'll be favourites to beat the Western Bulldogs at Ballarat next week, but the remaining four weeks are challenging. The round 20 Showdown with a resurgent Adelaide will be huge before they host West Coast and take on Collingwood at the MCG. The Power round out the premiership season against Essendon at home. - Lee Gaskin

The run home
R19: Western Bulldogs @ Mars Stadium, Ballarat
R20: Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
R21: West Coast @ Adelaide Oval
R22: Collingwood @ MCG
R23: Essendon @ Adelaide Oval

6. Greater Western Sydney

42 points (10 wins, six losses, one draw), 112.3 per cent
The Giants can consolidate their position in the top eight in the next two weeks against St Kilda and Carlton, both games they will go in as heavy favourites. After that, it gets tricky. The round 21 encounter with Adelaide could be crucial to both sides' finals aspirations. The Giants then host cross-town rival Sydney, and finish the regular season away to Melbourne at the MCG. But based on their impressive win over Port Adelaide, the Giants are going to be a tricky proposition for anyone who stands in their way. - Lee Gaskin

The run home
R19: St Kilda @ Spotless Stadium
R20: Carlton @ Etihad Stadium
R21: Adelaide @ UNSW Canberra Oval
R22: Sydney @ Spotless Stadium
R23: Melbourne @ MCG

7. Melbourne

40 points (10 wins, seven losses), 127.9 per cent
Melbourne's heartbreaking loss to Geelong was a real punch to the guts. The Demons would have elevated themselves into the top four with a win, but drop back to the pack now. The run home does not get any easier with a trip to Adelaide for Jordan Lewis' 300th game to come and three more games against potential finalists to follow. The round 23 clash against Greater Western Sydney could be huge. - Ben Guthrie

The run home
R19: Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
R20: Gold Coast @ MCG
R21: Sydney @ MCG
R22: West Coast @ Optus Stadium
R23: Greater Western Sydney @ MCG 

8. Hawthorn

40 points (10 wins, seven losses), 119.0 per cent
It's all getting very tight for the Hawks. The two standout fixtures amid their home run are games against the Cats at the MCG and the Swans at the SCG. That game against Sydney falls in the final round of the year, and you can bet Alastair Clarkson won't want Hawthorn's fate resting on getting a result in that fixture. Therefore, trips to Western Australia to face Fremantle next week, as well as games in Victoria against Essendon and St Kilda, are must win. Another percentage-booster in at least one of those matches wouldn't go astray either. - Riley Beveridge

The run home
R19: Fremantle @ Optus Stadium
R20: Essendon @ MCG
R21: Geelong @ MCG
R22: St Kilda @ Etihad Stadium
R23: Sydney @ SCG 

9. Geelong 

40 points (10 wins, seven losses), 118.2 per cent 
Saturday night's last-gasp victory over Melbourne was massive in the context of Geelong's season. The win – thanks to Zach Tuohy's set shot after the siren – has the Cats equal on points with Melbourne and Hawthorn. The Cats should fancy themselves against Brisbane and in their final two clashes at GMHBA Stadium. Geelong's big tests will come against Richmond and Hawthorn in rounds 20 and 22. - Ben Guthrie

The run home
R19: Brisbane @ GMHBA Stadium
R20: Richmond @ MCG
R21: Hawthorn @ MCG
R22: Fremantle @ GMHBA Stadium
R23: Gold Coast @ GMHBA Stadium 

10. North Melbourne

36 points (nine wins, eight losses), 108.0 per cent
Losing to Collingwood, and by a margin of 66, will likely prove costly to North's finals chances. Its percentage fell 6.2 points and that could hurt with several teams battling it out to qualify for September action. West Coast next week is a huge challenge, but the Roos are 13-4 at Blundstone Arena, so that should give them confidence. Interstate trips to face Brisbane and Adelaide look imposing. - Dinny Navaratnam

The run home
R19: West Coast @ Blundstone Arena
R20: Brisbane @ Gabba
R21: Western Bulldogs @ Etihad Stadium
R22: Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
R23: St Kilda @ Etihad Stadium

11. Essendon

36 points (nine wins, eight losses), 99.9 per cent
Essendon has now won five of its past six matches but is now playing catch-up after an inconsistent start to the season. A win over Fremantle means Essendon remains in touching distance of the top eight, but percentage means the Bombers are towards the bottom of the logjam of teams hoping to qualify. A serious hamstring injury to the in-form Shaun McKernan will see Cale Hooker spending time up forward, but Jake Stringer remains a sneaky chance to return for a must-win clash against the suddenly vulnerable Sydney. - Sarah Black

The run home
R19: Sydney @ Etihad Stadium
R20: Hawthorn @ MCG
R21: St Kilda @ Etihad Stadium
R22: Richmond @ MCG
R23: Port Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval 

12. Adelaide 

36 points (nine wins, eight losses), 99.1 per cent
After edging past the Lions to keep their season alive, the Crows' destiny might well be determined in the next fortnight. With a logjam of teams fighting for positions six, seven and eight, Adelaide hosts Melbourne next week and then the Showdown the following week in must-win games. Captain Taylor Walker will return from suspension to play the Demons, and now with three wins from their past four matches, the Crows are getting a little sniff of September action. - Michael Whiting

The run home
R19: Melbourne @ Adelaide Oval
R20: Port Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
R21: Greater Western Sydney @ UNSW Canberra Oval
R22: North Melbourne @ Adelaide Oval
R23: Carlton @ Etihad Stadium 

13. Fremantle

28 points (seven wins, 10 losses), 82.8 per cent
Fremantle has entered the last-chance saloon, needing to win every game and hope for a spectacular car crash from teams above it on the ladder in order to qualify for finals. The young Fremantle players have shown great promise this season but may tire coming into the home straight. The good news is the Dockers only have to leave the comfortable surrounds of Optus Stadium once for the rest of the season, while Derbies are known to throw up some surprising results. - Sarah Black

The run home
R19: Hawthorn @ Optus Stadium
R20: West Coast @ Optus Stadium
R21: Carlton @ Optus Stadium
R22: Geelong @ GMHBA Stadium
R23: Collingwood @ Optus Stadium