2016 AFL fixture: Run home to finals hots up after Hawthorn suffers shock loss to Melbourne

HAWTHORN’s shock loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday has opened up the race for top spot and a number of clubs are hot on their tail. SEE THE RUN HOME

HAWTHORN’s shock loss to Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday has opened up the race for top spot and a number of clubs are hot on their tail.

Heading into the Round 20 clash the Hawks were two games clear on top of the ladder with four games to go but the Swans are now just one game behind the reigning premiers and have a superior percentage.

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The problem for Hawthorn is their 120.7 percentage is the lowest of the top six sides so another slip up in the remaining three matches could see it pushed out of the top four.

The Hawks face a tough game against North Melbourne at the MCG next week before an even tougher game against West Coast in Perth in Round 22.

Hawthorn’s shock loss to Melbourne has thrown a spanner in the works. Picture: Getty

Geelong is the only team currently inside the top four that does not face a fellow top four contender in the last month of the home-and-away season and could jump up and claim a top-two spot.

Sydney is also well placed after a percentage-boosting win over Port Adelaide on Saturday but face a tough game against North Melbourne in Round 22 in Tasmania.

Will the Hawks stay in top spot?

THE RUN HOME

1st HAWTHORN 60pts 120.7%

Round 21: North Melbourne (MCG)

Round 22: West Coast (SO)

Round 23: Collingwood (MCG)

Saturday’s loss has put a top-four finish at risk due to inferior percentage.

2nd SYDNEY 56pts 144.2%

Round 21: St Kilda (ES)

Round 22: North Melbourne (BA)

Round 23: Richmond (SCG)

North in Hobart looms large.

Sydney recorded a huge win over Port Adelaide to boost its percentage. Picture: Getty

3rd ADELAIDE 56pts 141.2%

Round 20: Brisbane Lions (AO)

Round 21: Fremantle (SO)

Round 22: Port Adelaide (AO)

Round 23: West Coast (AO)

Good run of home games. Another strong top-two contender.

4th GWS GIANTS 56pts 140.2%

Round 21: West Coast (Spotless)

Round 22: Fremantle (Spotless)

Round 23: North Melbourne (ES)

Will need to win all remaining games to finish top four after percentage boosting wins to Adelaide and Sydney.

5th GEELONG 52pts 133.1%

Round 20: Essendon (ES)

Round 21: Richmond (MCG)

Round 22: Brisbane Lions (G)

Round 23: Melbourne (SS)

Should win its remaining games but needs to boost percentage to challenge for top two.

6th WESTERN BULLDOGS 52pts 116.1%

Round 21: Collingwood (ES)

Round 22: Essendon (ES)

Round 23: Fremantle (SO)

Should claim sixth place.

Marcus Bontempelli has been in outstanding form for the Bulldogs. Picture: Michael Klein

7th WEST COAST 48pts 129.1%

Round 20: Fremantle (SO)

Round 21: GWS Giants (Spotless)

Round 22: Hawthorn (SO)

Round 23: Adelaide (AO)

Tough finish. Home final looks unlikely.

8th NORTH MELBOURNE 48pts 112.9%

Round 20: Western Bulldogs (ES)

Round 21: Hawthorn (MCG)

Round 22: Sydney (BA)

Round 23: GWS Giants (ES)

Rugged finish, and more injuries to key players doesn’t help.