The run home: round 15By staff reporters
afl.com.au
8:14pm AEST Sunday, July 7, 20136. Richmond36 points (nine wins, five losses) 116.6 per cent
The Tigers face a difficult next month as they look to play finals for the first time since 2001. Saturday's 62-point loss to North Melbourne has raised doubts about their credentials and they face three top-five sides in the next four weeks. Even this Saturday night's trip to Cairns to face Gold Coast is one that will remind fans how quickly good positions can be squandered. Round 23's clash against Essendon shapes as a tasty entrée to September, should the Tigers hold on.
The run home:
Rd 16: Gold Coast at Cazalys Stadium
Rd 17: Fremantle at the MCG
Rd 18: Sydney Swans at the SCG
Rd 19: Hawthorn at the MCG
Rd 20: Brisbane Lions at the MCG
Rd 21: Carlton at the MCG
Rd 22: Greater Western Sydney at Skoda Stadium
Rd 23: Essendon at the MCG
7. Collingwood36 points (nine wins, five losses) 107.8 per cent
Seemingly back on track after a powerful 41-point win over Carlton, the Magpies still need to negotiate a challenging second-half fixture before locking in a finals appearance. They face return clashes with top sides Hawthorn, the Swans and Essendon – who belted them by an average of 49 points the first time around. Wins against Adelaide, Gold Coast and Greater Western Sydney in the next three weeks would leave them in a strong position before a testing finish.
The run home:
Rd 16: Adelaide at the MCG
Rd 17: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
Rd 18: Greater Western Sydney at the MCG
Rd 19: Essendon at the MCG
Rd 20: Sydney Swans at ANZ Stadium
Rd 21: Hawthorn at the MCG
Rd 22: West Coast at the MCG
Rd 23: North Melbourne at the MCG
8. Port Adelaide 32 points (eight wins, six losses) 113.7 per cent
The Power had been comfortable in the eight on the back of huge wins against the Sydney Swans and Collingwood, but the competition is closing after Sunday's loss to Essendon. Their ability to sustain their defensive intensity for the rest of the season will determine whether they play finals football or miss out. With at least three should-win games (against the Saints, Lions and Suns) and three more on home turf, destiny remains in the Power's hands.
The run home:
Rd 16: Hawthorn at AAMI Stadium
Rd 17: St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
Rd 18: Brisbane Lions at AAMI Stadium
Rd 19: Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
Rd 20: Geelong at Simonds Stadium
Rd 21: Gold Coast at AAMI Stadium
Rd 22: Fremantle at Patersons Stadium
Rd 23: Carlton at AAMI Stadium
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9. West Coast28 points (seven wins, seven losses) 109.9 per cent
The Eagles squared their season and revived their finals hopes with a last-gasp win against Adelaide, which leaves them just one game outside the eight. West Coast has to bank three wins against the Bulldogs, Gold Coast and Adelaide, but the other five matches will be very tough. Five matches at home does not look as appealing as it would have in previous years given the Eagles have lost five of seven at Patersons this season.
The run home:
Rd 16: Fremantle at Patersons Stadium
Rd 17: Sydney Swans at Patersons Stadium
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
10. North Melbourne24 points (six wins, eight losses) 118.6 per cent
North Melbourne will need a run home similar to that of 2012 to play finals. Last year the Roos flew home 10-2 to make the finals for the first time since 2008 and a big win over Richmond was a step in the right direction. Their cause is not helped, however, by a draw that includes clashes with the current top three teams, Hawthorn, Geelong and Essendon. With Collingwood looming in in round 23, the Roos need a miracle.
The run home:
Rd 16: Brisbane Lions at the Gabba
Rd 17: Carlton at Etihad Stadium
Rd 18: Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
Rd 19: Geelong at Etihad Stadium
Rd 20: Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
Rd 21: Essendon at Etihad Stadium
Rd 22: Hawthorn at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Collingwood at the MCG
11. Carlton24 points (six wins, eight losses) 109.2 per cent
The Blues have lost four games on the trot to find themselves two games outside the eight and in a logjam with West Coast, North Melbourne and Adelaide. Of that group, Carlton has perhaps the easiest run home, but the 41-point loss to Collingwood was a significant setback that could leave them too far adrift.
The run home:
Rd 16: St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
Rd 17: North Melbourne at Etihad Stadium
Rd 18: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium
Rd 19: Fremantle at Etihad Stadium
Rd 20: Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium
Rd 21: Richmond at the MCG
Rd 22: Essendon at the MCG
Rd 23: Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
12. Adelaide24 points (six wins, eight losses) 104.9 per cent
The Crows' loss to West Coast all but snuffed out their slim finals hopes, with a tough run looming and six or seven wins required from eight games. Preliminary finalists last year, they are still a way off the level they set last year and with games against two premiership contenders and two Western Australian road trips, finals football is just about out of reach.
The run home:
Rd 16: Collingwood at the MCG
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
13. Gold Coast20 points (five wins, nine losses) 89.3 per cent
Back-to-back losses have left the Suns with a mountain to climb, needing to win seven or maybe eight of their final eight matches to play finals. They have the easiest draw of any team in the competition, and with a friendly final month in particular, could have their season determined in the next fortnight. This week's clash against Richmond in Cairns is a must-win.
The run home:
Rd 16: Richmond at Cazalys Stadium
Rd 17: Collingwood at Metricon Stadium
Rd 18: Carlton at Metricon Stadium
Rd 19: West Coast at Patersons Stadium
Rd 20: Melbourne at Metricon Stadium
Rd 21: Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium
Rd 22: St Kilda at Etihad Stadium
Rd 23: Greater Western Sydney at Metricon Stadium
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