1. Richmond

56 points (14 wins, four losses), 137.8 per cent
The Tigers consolidated their hold on top spot with their 28-point win over Collingwood. With their healthy percentage gap on second-placed West Coast, they look a strong bet to finish minor premiers with three of their four remaining games at their MCG stronghold and the other against the struggling Suns. A home qualifying final seems all but assured with Richmond now two games clear of third-placed Collingwood. - Nick Bowen

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

2. West Coast

52 points (13 wins, five losses), 121.3 per cent
With two of their final four matches at home – including a derby date with the Dockers next weekend – the Eagles are still in the box seat for a valuable top-two spot come the end of the home and away season. Facing the Power in Adelaide looms as their toughest remaining road trip, while the round 22 clash against Melbourne at Optus Stadium will be a stern challenge with the Demons gunning for a long-awaited return to finals footy. - Stu Warren

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

3. Collingwood

48 points (12 wins, six losses), 118.1 per cent
The Magpies' loss to Richmond weakened their hold on a top-four spot, with the fifth-placed Giants now just half a game behind them after their win over St Kilda. The Pies look to have a good run home, however, especially given Sydney's poor recent record at home. Their record 22 clash against Port Adelaide could decide both teams' bids for the double chance in the finals. - Nick Bowen

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

4. Port Adelaide

48 points (12 wins, six losses), 116.2 per cent
Notched a vitally important win against the Western Bulldogs in dreary conditions in Ballarat and now turn their attention to "as tough a run home as there is" as described by coach Ken Hinkley. Following the Showdown against cross-town rival Adelaide, the Power have clashes against fellow top-four aspirants West Coast and Collingwood and an in-form Essendon who are fighting to push their into the top eight. – Ben Guthrie

The run home
R20: Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
R21: West Coast @ Adelaide Oval
R22: Collingwood @ MCG
R23: Essendon @ Adelaide Oval

5. Greater Western Sydney

46 points (11 wins, six losses, one draw), 113.6 per cent
The Giants have set themselves up for a real tilt at a top four finish with seven wins from their past eight matches, and bottom side Carlton next up. They should have no trouble with the Blues and have a brilliant record in Canberra, so will head in heavy favourites against the Crows the following week. Games against Sydney and Melbourne will likely decide if Leon Cameron's men can grab a double chance. - Adam Curley

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

6. Melbourne

44 points (11 wins, seven losses), 127.3 per cent
The Demons have given themselves a chance of a top-four finish courtesy of Saturday night's 13-point win against Adelaide at Adelaide Oval. It could all come down to the round 23 encounter with Greater Western Sydney at the MCG. However, the Demons can't get ahead of themselves. The ladder is so tight that one or two losses could see them miss the finals altogether. What helps is their huge percentage of 127.3, which is the highest of those sides sitting third to 12th. They could also regain co-captain Jack Viney and defender Michael Hibberd from a quad injury for their round 21 clash with Sydney. - Lee Gaskin

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

7. Hawthorn

44 points (11 wins, seven losses), 122.7 per cent
The Hawks were far too good for Fremantle on Sunday and reclaimed a top eight spot, but keeping it over the next two weeks won't be easy. Hawthorn probably needs two more wins to return to finals and won't want to leave it until rounds 22 and 23 to get the job done. The Hawks would relish beating arch-rivals Essendon to kill-off their finals ambitions next Saturday, and could make life very difficult for the Cats as well. Whatever happens, it will be must watch.

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

8. Geelong 

44 points (11 wins, seven losses), 120.3 per cent
Beat Richmond and the double chance is alive. Lose and the fight for the top eight goes up a notch. The Cats' meeting with the Tigers on Friday night will decide their premiership credentials. Being able to bank the final two matches at GMHBA Stadium, the round 21 fixture with Hawthorn could decide their season. Among the challengers for the bottom half of the eight, Melbourne and Hawthorn both have a better percentage. With Tom Stewart's ankle injury likely to sideline him for the rest of the home and away season, Harry Taylor's return date carries more importance. - Mitch Cleary

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

44 points (11 wins, seven losses), 109.9 per cent
The Swans' season is suddenly at a critical juncture, a fascinating development after they were 10-3 through 14 rounds. The 43-point defeat to Essendon was their fourth loss in five starts and cost them more than four percentage points. That percentage now leaves them vulnerable to be overrun by the fast-improving Bombers. It's hard to pencil in wins for John Longmire's men in any of the final four rounds in their current form and it's looking increasingly likely they will have to beat great rival Hawthorn in round 23 to qualify for September. - Marc McGowan

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

10. North Melbourne

40 points (10 wins, eight losses), 110.6 per cent
The Roos' win over the Eagles is incredibly valuable as they chase finals footy in 2018, but they may still have to win every game to grab a spot in the eight. They will probably start as favourites against the Lions, Bulldogs and Saints and will have each of those three matches pegged as absolute must-win material. Their road trip to face Adelaide in round 22 shapes as an mini-elimination final for both sides. - Stu Warren

The run home
R20: Brisbane @ Gabba
R21: Western Bulldogs @ Etihad Stadium
R22: Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
R23: St Kilda @ Etihad Stadium

11. Essendon

40 points (10 wins, eight losses), 102.8 per cent
The finals pipedream now looks a somewhat manageable task thanks to the impressive take down of Sydney on Friday night. It's taken eight victories in 10 matches to get to this stage, but the Bombers could realistically play a part in September – and may cause some damage if that eventuates. Their percentage is above 100 for the first time since the round one defeat of Adelaide. The next two games are must-wins, then Essendon will have to at least split its difficult clashes with the Tigers and Power to reach the finals. - Marc McGowan

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

12. Adelaide 

36 points (nine wins, nine losses), 98.3 per cent
The Crows need a miracle if they're going to feature in the finals. They are two wins outside the top eight with four games remaining. Their percentage of 98.3 also makes things that little bit more difficult. Lose next weekend's Showdown with Port Adelaide, and it's officially season over, if it isn't already. Although they will lose Paul Seedsman with a hamstring injury, defender Brodie Smith is a chance to play after two strong SANFL games in his return from a knee reconstruction. Young defender Tom Doedee and veterans Richard Douglas and David Mackay could also be available to face the Power. - Lee Gaskin

The run home
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, 11 losses), 80.3 per cent
The Dockers' faint finals hopes were extinguished after they were comprehensively outclassed by Hawthorn on Sunday. With three matches remaining at home, they'd still love to notch a few more wins.

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