North Melbourne joined Geelong, Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs as finals certainties this week and Adelaide is almost there.
But a five-way battle is going on for the remaining three spots in September with two rounds to go.
Here is the run home for all the finals contenders.
1 GEELONG: 19-1, 159.1. TO COME: North Melb (Skilled), West Coast (Skilled). LIKELY FINISH: With 38 wins from their past 40 games, the Cats are continuing to break all sorts of records and have top place all sewn up. But they face a tough test this week against the in-form Kangaroos in what could even be a preview of this year's grand final, or at least a first week qualifying final between the two clubs.
2 HAWTHORN: 15-5, 125.8. TO COME: West Coast (Subiaco), Carlton (TD). LIKELY FINISH: Guaranteed to finish second or third and face the Bulldogs in a first week qualifying final despite its shock round 20 loss to Richmond.
3 WESTERN BULLDOGS: 14-5-1, 118.5. TO COME: Essendon (TD), Adelaide (AAMI). LIKELY FINISH: On the slide with four losses in five games but gets the chance to turn their form around this week. Still guaranteed of finishing second or third and facing Hawthorn in the qualifying final.
4 NORTH MELBOURNE: 12-7-1, 102.2. TO COME: Geelong (Skilled), Port Adelaide (MCG). LIKELY FINISH: Secured its finals berth by beating Carlton, the Roos' sixth win in a row, and now eyeing off fourth spot and the double chance for the second straight season. Faces its acid test this week but could even secure fourth by just beating Port in the last round if other results go its way.
5 ADELAIDE: 12-8, 113. TO COME: St Kilda (TD), Bulldogs (AAMI). LIKELY FINISH: Like North, the Crows are coming good at the right time and have now won four straight. Will have to win both remaining games to be assured of grabbing fourth spot but will start underdogs away this week against the Saints. But one more win should guarantee either a fifth or sixth-placed finish and a first-up home final.
6 SYDNEY: 11-8-1, 112.8. TO COME: Collingwood (TD), Brisbane (SCG). LIKELY FINISH: Still needs one more win to secure its finals berth and even two wins may not be enough to secure a top-four finish. Worst case scenario is a loss this week and a match against Brisbane in the final round to determine which of those two clubs finish eighth, while best case scenario is two wins to grab fourth or at least finish fifth or sixth and ensure a home elimination final in week one of September.
7 COLLINGWOOD: 11-9, 111. TO COME: Sydney (TD), Fremantle (Subiaco). LIKELY FINISH: Because of its good percentage one more win will be enough to secure a finals berth and the Pies will fancy their chances this week at home to Sydney. However top four is all but out of reach and two losses could open the door for either Brisbane or Richmond to pinch the Magpies' top eight spot.
8 ST KILDA: 11-9, 102.6. TO COME: Adelaide (TD), Essendon (TD). LIKELY FINISH: The Saints should be able to beat out-of-contention Essendon in the final round to secure their finals berth while two wins should be enough to secure a