Live ladder: What do Round 19 results mean for your team?

MELBOURNE and Hawthorn have taken big steps towards September as the fights for a top-four spot heats up after wins to Port Adelaide, GWS and the Demons. TOP EIGHT PREDICTIONS

Lance Franklin of the Sydney Swans.

SYDNEY has dropped from fourth to ninth as Geelong, Melbourne and Hawthorn clear their September diaries after Round 19.

The Demons took a massive step towards breaking a 12-year finals drought with a nervous 13-point win against Adelaide, all but ending the Crows’ season.

The Dees should notch their 12th win next week against Gold Coast and while the last three weeks are a lot tougher, a strong percentage should be enough for a top-eight finish.

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Beat Sydney and the Giants at the MCG and top four is a possibility.

The Cats started the round in ninth place but look safe after a big win over Brisbane.

They face top side Richmond on Friday night but finish the season with games against Hawthorn, Fremantle and Gold Coast — the last two at GMHBA Stadium.

Christian Petracca and Alex Neal-Bullen celebrate a goal. Picture: Sarah Reed

The Hawks got a huge percentage in the win over Fremantle but a mini elimination final against Essendon could decide both clubs’ fates.

Richmond, West Coast and Collingwood seem to have the top three spots locked up, at least for now, but a three-way battle is looming for the final double chance.

Port Adelaide currently own fourth place but face Adelaide in the Showdown next week before West Coast and Collingwood, making their finals future anything but clear.

The Giants were briefly in fourth after a seventh win in eight games while Melbourne looms just a game back with the second best percentage in the competition.

CURRENT LADDER

1. Richmond 56 137.8%

2. West Coast 52 121.3%

3. Collingwood 48 118.1%

4. Port Adelaide 48 116.2%

5. GWS Giants 46 113.6%

6. Melbourne 44 127.3%

7. Hawthorn 44 122.7%

8. Geelong 44 120.3%

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9. Sydney 44 109.9%

10. North Melbourne 40 110.6%

11. Essendon 40 102.8%

12. Adelaide 36 98.3%

13. Fremantle 28 80.3%

14. Western Bulldogs 20 70.2%

15. St Kilda 18 75.7%

16. Brisbane Lions 16 91.8%

17. Gold Coast 16 64.7%

18. Carlton 8 62.5%

Dustin Martin celebrates a goal.

THE RUN HOME

Herald Sun predictions

Richmond 56 137.8%

R20 v Geelong (MCG) W

R21 v Gold Coast (MS) W

R22 v Essendon (MCG) W

R23 v W. Bulldogs (MCG) W

We say: It’s hard to see any side upsetting the Tigers at the ’G. That should mean 18 yellow-and-black wins for the season.

West Coast 52 125.8%

R20 v Fremantle (PS) W

R21 v Port Adelaide (AO) W

R22 v Melbourne (PS) W

R23 v Brisbane (Gabba) W

We say: Still safely in the top four despite a bad loss to the Roos. A game clear in second and have a home final in sight. And from Perth Stadium, a place in the Grand Final beckons.

Collingwood 48, 118.1%

R20 v Sydney (SCG) W

R21 v Brisbane (Etihad) W

R22 v Port Adelaide (MCG) W

R23 v Fremantle (PS) W

We say: Face a tough test at the SCG next week but likely wins against Brisbane and Fremantle should see them retain a top-four spot.

GWS Giants 46, 113.6%

R20 v Carlton (Etihad) W

R21 v Adelaide (Canberra) W

R22 v Sydney (SS) W

R23 v Melbourne (MCG) L

We say: The win over the Saints makes it seven wins from eight for the red-hot Giants. Safe bet for finals and a strong top-four chance, their last game with so much on the line for the Demons could be the hardest.

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Melbourne 44, 127.3%

R20 v Gold Coast (MCG) W

R21 v Sydney (MCG) W

R22 v West Coast (PS) L

R23 v GWS Giants (MCG) W

We say: Saturday night was huge. Falling to the Cats last week made life hard for the Dees but to beat the Crows on the road makes breaking their 12-year finals drought much easier. Round 23 could decide fourth spot.

Geelong 44, 120.3%

R20 v Richmond (MCG) L

R21 v Hawthorn (MCG) W

R22 v Fremantle (GMHBA) W

R23 v Gold Coast (GMHBA) W

We say: Even if the Cats lose on Friday night, they are pretty much home and hosed, provided they get payback for Easter Monday against the Hawks.

Port Adelaide 44 113.1%

R20 v Adelaide (AO) L

R21 v West Coast (AO) L

R22 v Collingwood (MCG) L

R23 v Essendon (AO) W

We say: Got the job done in Ballarat but now face a tricky run home, starting with Saturday’s Showdown. But provided they can beat Eagles and/or Dons at home, then should just make it.

Sydney 44, 109.9%

R20 v Collingwood (SCG) L

R21 v Melbourne (MCG) L

R22 v GWS Giants (SS) L

R23 v Hawthorn (SCG) W

We say: After four losses in five games since the bye, the Swans’ season is teetering and they have the toughest run of all sides. But reverse their SCG form and win their two at home and they still might just make it.

Hawthorn 40, 119.0%

R20 v Essendon (MCG) L

R21 v Geelong (MCG) L

R22 v St Kilda (Etihad) W

R23 v Sydney (SCG) L

We say: A huge percentage boost has given the Hawks life in the finals fight but must split their MCG games against the Dons and Cats to stay in contention. Will be ruing their two losses to the Lions.

Essendon 40, 102.8%

R20 v Hawthorn (MCG) W

R21 v St Kilda (Etihad) W

R22 v Richmond (MCG) L

R23 v Port Adelaide (AO) L

We say: Friday night’s win sets up a thrilling finale for a side that looked down and out after a Round 8 loss to the Blues. If the Dons win a huge line-in-the-sand game this Saturday, then who knows. Final two games are tough.

North Melbourne 36, 108.0%

R20 v Brisbane (Gabba) W

R21 v W. Bulldogs (Etihad) W

R22 v Adelaide (AO) L

R23 v St Kilda (Etihad) W

We say: Remain in the finals hunt but need teams above them to drop a game. Any loss now could sound the death knell on their season.

Adelaide 36 98.3%

R20 v Port Adelaide (AO) W

R21 v GWS Giants (Canberra) L

R22 v North Melbourne (AO) W

R23 v Carlton (Etihad) W

We say: The season is all but over for the Crows now but they remain a mathematical chance, so you never say never. Win the Showdown next week, then anything is still possible. Poor percentage could hurt though.

FINAL LADDER PREDICTOR

1. Richmond 18-4 72

2. West Coast 17-5 68

3. Collingwood 15-7 64

4. GWS 14-1-7 58

5. Melbourne 14-8 56

6. Geelong 14-8 56

7. Hawthorn 13-9 52

8. North Melbourne 13-9 52

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9. Port Adelaide 13-9 52

10. Sydney 12-10 48

11. Essendon 12-10 48

12. Adelaide 12-10 48

TAB FLAG ODDS

Richmond $2.50

West Coast $6.50

Collingwood $7

GWS Giants $9

Geelong $11

Melbourne $13

Sydney $15

Port Adelaide $17

Hawthorn $26

Adelaide $67

Essendon $101

North Melbourne $151