But it is the battle for fourth place that is really hotting up with three rounds remaining as we look at the run home for the finals contenders.
ADELAIDE: Current position: First - 15 wins, four losses, Percentage: 148.6
The Crows' have secured a top two finish but could yet surrender the minor premiership to West Coast after two losses in the past three games. But of more concern to coach Neil Craig is the Crows' drop in confidence in recent weeks and their growing injury list, but the return of skipper Mark Ricciuto from suspension this week will be a huge boost.
WEST COAST: Second - 15-4, 117.9.
The Eagles have also sewn up a top two finish but could yet be deprived of the crucial home-state advantage in the first week of the finals with local rivals Fremantle also threatening to finish in the top four. But with five wins in their past six games the Eagles are flying and with a better run home than Adelaide over the final three rounds, last year's beaten grand finalists could yet finish the season on top for the first time since 1994.
SYDNEY: Third - 12-7, 123.8
The reigning premiers now look a good bet to finish in third place, the same position from which they launched their successful premiership challenge last season. With four straight wins since their unlucky loss to the Eagles in Perth in round 15, the Swans are again peaking at exactly the right time. And with their remaining matches being against Geelong (at Geelong) and Brisbane and Carlton both at home, it's difficult to see the Swans losing another game on the run in to the finals.
ST KILDA: Fourth - 12-7, 118.7
The Saints' are currently in fourth spot but could drop to as low as seventh if they don't win Saturday night's blockbuster clash against Fremantle in Perth. With the Dockers in sixth place, this week's clash at Subiaco could well decide which team finishes fourth. And if the Saints get over the Dockers, they will fancy their chances of finishing fourth given they will be favoured to beat the Bulldogs and Brisbane in the final two rounds.
MELBOURNE: Fifth - 12-7, 118.7
The Demons surrendered their place in the top four this weekend but with their two biggest rivals for fourth spot in Fremantle and St Kilda squaring off this week, Neale Daniher's side still has a great opportunity of grabbing the double chance. With the imminent return from injury of Russell Robertson, Travis Johnstone, Matthew Whelan and Aaron Davey, the Demons will be strongly favoured to beat the Kangaroos this week and will now fancy their chances against the disappointing Cats in round 21, even though that game is in Geelong. So their hopes of finishing in the top four could depend on having to beat Adelaide in Adelaide in the final round.
FREMANTLE: Sixth - 12-7, 99.5
The Dockers have now won six matches in a row for the first time with their win over Adelaide at AAMI Stadium one of the best in their history. That win ensured that Fremantle will play in September for only the second time since joining the competition in 1995 but now they have their sights set firmly on a top four finish. To achieve that the Dockers must beat St Kilda this week and given how close teams three to eight on the ladder are they may also have to beat West Coast in the second derby in round 21 and Port Adelaide in the final round. But two wins should be enough to ensure the Dockers finish either fifth or sixth to guarantee home advantage in the first week of the finals.
COLLINGWOOD: Seventh - 11-8, 115.7
The Pies were terribly disappointing in losing to bottom side Essendon on Friday night and now can afford no more slip-ups if they hope to finish in the top four. The Pies still need one more win to secure their finals place but will need to win all three remaining games to grab the double chance. But they will start favourites in all their remaining games against Port Adelaide (in Adelaide), Carlton and the Kangaroos.
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Eighth - 11-8, 108.8
The Dogs have got the wobbles and after their shock loss to Port, now have to face league leaders Adelaide coming off only a six day break after playing in the heat and humidity of Darwin. Rodney Eade's team still needs one more win to secure their first finals berth since 2000 but they will start underdogs against the Crows and in round 21 against St Kilda. But they will be favoured to beat Essendon in the final round.
GEELONG: Ninth - 9-10, 100.8
The Cats' finally look to have killed off their finals hopes following their loss to St Kilda on Sunday. However they remain a slim mathematical chance, although they will have to win their three remaining games, against Sydney and Melbourne (both in Geelong) and Hawthorn and hope that either the Bulldogs or Collingwood lose their three remaining matches.
RICHMOND: Tenth - 9-10, 84.8
The Tigers are in the exact same position as Geelong but have a better chance of sneaking into the eight because they face the two bottom teams in Carlton and Essendon in the next fortnight while the Bulldogs face tough games against Adelaide and St Kilda. That could mean Richmond heading into the final round locked on 11 wins with the Bulldogs but they would still need to beat West Coast at the MCG in the final round and hope the Dogs lose to Essendon to sneak into the eight.
