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6. North Melbourne
52 points (13 wins, seven losses), 115.20 per cent? ?
 
The run home:?
Rd 22: Fremantle at Etihad Stadium?
Rd 23: Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium?
 
Saturday night's win stamped the Roos as September wildcards. One more win will guarantee their first finals series since 2008 and that is almost certain to arrive courtesy of the Giants in round 23, if not next week. Top four is out of reach, and North's best possible result is fifth. A likelier scenario is sixth, and an elimination final against Geelong.

Where will North finish? Have your say in the comments section below.

1. Sydney Swans
64 points (16 wins, four losses), 149.61 per cent
 
The run home:
Rd 22: Hawthorn at the SCG
Rd 23: Geelong at Simonds Stadium
 
Sunday's romp against the Western Bulldogs was the Swans' highest score in five years and puts them four points clear on top of the ladder. Saturday's twilight clash against the Hawks will, perhaps, decide top spot - although Adelaide could yet finish first if the Hawks beat the Swans but lose in round 23. The minor premiership comes with its perils, of course. The top-placed team may have to play the Pies in the first week of the finals, a team the Swans have not beaten since 2005.  

Predict how the 2012 season will play out using the official AFL ladder & finals predictor

2. Hawthorn
60 points (15 wins, five losses) 158.29 per cent
 
The run home:
Rd 22: Sydney Swans at the SCG
Rd 23: West Coast at the MCG
 
Thanks to Adelaide's slip-up in Brisbane, a home qualifying final is the Hawks' to lose. Win both their remaining games and they will finish top, with next Saturday's game at the SCG a de facto battle for the minor premiership. Lance Franklin's return would be an important boost, while midfield gun Sam Mitchell can also be expected to strengthen the line-up. The Hawks could theoretically fall as low as fifth, although their percentage is almost as good as an extra win.

3. Adelaide
60 points (15 wins, five losses) 125.74 per cent
 
The run home:
Rd 22: Melbourne at the MCG
Rd 23: Gold Coast at AAMI Stadium

Coach Brenton Sanderson thinks the Crows are still ruthless, but Saturday's banana skin loss in Brisbane proves they are vulnerable on the eve of the finals. Despite that defeat, a spot in the top two remains likely thanks to remaining matches against two of the competition's bottom three. For the Crows to be denied, Hawthorn would have to beat the Swans and West Coast, while the Swans would have to beat Geelong in Geelong.

4. Collingwood
60 points (15 wins, five losses) 119.28 per cent
 
The run home:
Rd 22: West Coast at Patersons Stadium
Rd 23: Essendon at the MCG

Saturday night's stunning loss to North Melbourne leaves Collingwood's top-four ambitions far from certain. That result sets up a critical clash against the Eagles this week. The winner will enter the home and away season's finals weekend in the box seat to retain the double chance. The Pies could still finish top, or as low as seventh.

5. West Coast
56 points (14 wins, six losses) 124.97 per cent
 
The run home:
Rd 22: Collingwood at Patersons Stadium
Rd 23: Hawthorn at the MCG
 
Sunday's canter at AAMI Stadium was West Coast's last respite before the finals, and the Eagles now turn their attention to two top-four rivals. Two wins could see West Coast finish second, although a likelier finish in that event would be third or fourth. Beat Collingwood but lose to Hawthorn, and the Eagles could still find themselves playing an elimination final in Victoria.
 
7. Geelong
52 points (13 wins, seven losses), 114.70 per cent
 
The run home:
Rd 22: Western Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium
Rd 23: Sydney Swans at Simonds Stadium
 
The Cats are in an almost identical situation to the Roos. Following a vital win against the Saints on Friday night, they will book a sixth straight finals campaign by beating the Dogs next Sunday. In the unlikely scenario that they lose both their remaining games, they could be dumped from the eight by Fremantle and Carlton. If they win both and other results fall their way, they could finish as high as fifth.
 
8. Fremantle
48 points (12 wins, eight losses) 109.61 per cent
 
The run home:
Rd 22: North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Melbourne at Patersons Stadium
 
Four points clear of ninth spot is a comfortable place to be, but Freo's position is more precarious than it appears. Next week's game is the big one. Win against the in-form Roos, and Ross Lyon's men can then punch their finals ticket by accounting for the Demons. Lose, and Carlton would become favourite to pinch the finals spot thanks to the Blues' two winnable remaining games and healthier percentage.
 
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9. Carlton
44 points (11 wins, nine losses) 110.52 per cent
 
The run home:
Rd 22: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
Rd 23: St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
 
The Blues annihilated old foe Essendon and all of a sudden find themselves in form and with renewed hope of playing finals. Unfortunately, things remain out of their hands. If Fremantle wins both its games, the Blues can almost certainly kiss their September dreams goodbye. If Freo lose next week, eighth spot will probably come down to percentage, and on that score Carlton has the advantage.
 
10. Essendon
44 points (11 wins, nine losses) 104.14 per cent? ?
 
The run home:
Rd 22: Richmond at the MCG?
Rd 23: Collingwood at the MCG? ?
 
Having topped the ladder after round nine, the Bombers are in freefall. Saturday's humiliating defeat leaves them with only slim hopes of claiming eighth spot. Two wins could yet be enough, depending on results elsewhere, and neither of their remaining opponents are in great form. Unfortunately, Essendon's own form is even worse.

11. St Kilda
40 points (10 wins, 10 losses), 116.94 per cent
 
The run home:
Rd 22: Greater Western Sydney at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Carlton at Etihad Stadium
 
The equation is simple for St Kilda after Friday night's defeat by the Cats: win both games against the Giants and the Blues and then hope Fremantle collapses in a heap. The Saints need Freo to lose both its games to be any chance, with a Demons win at Patersons Stadium the unlikeliest element of that scenario. Essendon must also lose once.

Where will North finish? Have your say in the comments section below.

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