40 points (10 wins, six losses) 108.3 per cent

After suffering a shock loss to Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium, the Pies have all but kicked themselves out of a top-four berth and have perhaps even placed their spot in the top eight in slight jeopardy. A seemingly inevitable win over Greater Western Sydney at the MCG should prove a welcome percentage booster. Things become much harder after that with return clashes against top sides Hawthorn, the Swans and Essendon, the trio having belted the Pies by an average of 49 points earlier this season.

36 points (nine wins, seven losses) 108.7 per cent

With Carlton breathing down their neck, the Power is probably the only team in the top eight that can realistically miss the finals. But Port's draw is relatively kind, with just two of their final seven games being against fellow top-eight teams – Geelong (round 20) and Fremantle (round 22). Four of those remaining games are also on their home turf.

32 points (eight wins, eight losses) 110.6 per cent

The Blues' heart-stopping win over North Melbourne momentarily lifted them into the eight, before Port Adelaide responded with a thrilling result of its own against St Kilda just 24 hours later. Just one game outside the eight and with a slightly better percentage than the Power, Carlton remains a chance to make the finals. If the Power falter in the run home, the Blues' draw should give them an edge over West Coast, and they are effectively two games ahead of the Brisbane Lions given their far superior percentage.

28 points (seven wins, nine losses) 104.3 per cent

The Eagles have slipped two games outside the eight after losing their past two matches against quality sides Fremantle and the Sydney Swans. West Coast has to bank three wins against the Bulldogs, Gold Coast and Adelaide, but their other three matches (two of them away fixtures) will be very tough. Three out of the remaining six matches at home don't look as appealing as in previous years, given the Eagles have lost six of eight at Patersons Stadium this season.

Rd 18: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium

Rd 19: Gold Coast at Patersons Stadium

Rd 20: Essendon at Etihad Stadium

Rd 21: Geelong at Patersons Stadium

Rd 22: Collingwood at the MCG

Rd 23: Adelaide at Patersons Stadium

28 points (seven wins, nine losses) 102.4 per cent

The Crows' thrilling win over the Cats has rekindled finals hopes that appeared all but over before the game. However, they remain only an outside chance to sneak into the eight, given they still have two Western Australian road trips to come and a Showdown clash with a Port Adelaide side desperate to hold on to its top-eight berth. Two games and percentage is a considerable gap to bridge in only six games.

Rd 17: Geelong at AAMI Stadium

Rd 18: Fremantle at Patersons Stadium

Rd 19: Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium

Rd 20: North Melbourne at AAMI Stadium

Rd 21: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium

Rd 22: Melbourne at AAMI Stadium

Rd 23: West Coast at Patersons Stadium

The run home:
Rd 18: Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
Rd 19: St Kilda at the Gabba
Rd 20: Richmond at the MCG
Rd 21: Greater Western Sydney at the Gabba
Rd 22: Western Bulldogs at the Gabba
Rd 23: Geelong at Simonds Stadium