Melbourne: sixth spot

36 points (nine wins, six losses), 127.8 per cent
Despite requesting more recovery time after future NT matches, Simon Goodwin says seven days won't be an excuse heading into a danger game with the Dogs. A Geelong win this weekend makes the round 18 trip down the highway even more crucial and the Crows at home will be no pushover. Saturday's win over Fremantle delivered a handy percentage booster – sitting second only to Richmond – and the Demons will be hoping for the same in round 20. Two wins in round 21-22 will have top-four hopes alive heading into the final match … two losses will bring flashbacks of last year's capitulation. 

The run home
R17: Western Bulldogs @ MCG
R18: Geelong @ GMHBA Stadium
R19: Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
R20: Gold Coast @ MCG
R21: Sydney @ MCG
R22: West Coast @ Optus Stadium
R23: Greater Western Sydney @ MCG