Following another poor loss North Melbourne drop down two spots in the ladder this week, while Adelaide and Brisbane move up. The good from Gold Coast has shown this year has dropped off in recent weeks, and their position has dropped off too. The top eight stays put for now, with Port Adelaide just holding on to their spot in eighth and Fremantle getting closer to pushing their way in to the top four.

1. (Last week – 1) Hawthorn Hawks – Record: 13-2

Without Lance Franklin fellow forwards Jarryd Roughead and Jack Gunston stood tall for the Hawks on Saturday. They both kicked five goals as Hawthorn won comfortably in the end. Hawthorn travels back to Aurora Stadium in Saturday to face the Western Bulldogs.

2. (2) Geelong Cats – 13-2

Geelong’s poor kicking probably cost them a 100-point victory, but they would have been happy with the four quarter performance on Saturday against Melbourne. Skipper Joel Selwood celebrated his 150th game with a best on ground performance. It was Geelong’s first true game of complete dominance for the season, something they will plan to continue come September.

3. (3) Sydney Swans – 11-1-3

Sydney was all-dominant when they faced Greater Western Sydney on Sunday, tallying 51 scoring shots in a 129-point victory. Nick Malceski was instrumental off half-back while Kurt Tippett kicked another three goals as he keeps impressing. Sydney travel to Perth to play West Coast this weekend.

4. (4) Essendon Bombers – 12-3

While they remain in the top four, the Bombers wont be overly happy with their performance on Sunday. Facing the Western Bulldogs, Essendon were outplayed for the better part of two quarters as the Bulldogs got a running game up and going. Essendon have now won five in a row and will make is six when they play Greater Western Sydney on Saturday.

5. (5) Fremantle Dockers – 11-1-3

The Dockers continue to knock on the door of the top four following a victory against the Eagles on Sunday. Fremantle ran away with the game late and ended up with a comfortable victory. The Dockers only just got their skipper back but Matthew Pavlich will now miss a few weeks for a dangerous high bump. Fremantle travels to play Richmond this weekend.

6. (6) Collingwood Magpies – 10-5

Despite some poor kicking – and poor umpiring according to Pies fans – from Travis Cloke the Pies got over the line on Friday night. The win keeps Collingwood’s top four hopes alive, and with that their Premiership hopes. Collingwood will hope to continue their form when they face Gold Coast in round 17.

7. (7) Richmond Tigers – 10-5

It wasn’t pretty but Richmond finally broke their hoodoo against Gold Coast on Saturday night. Fans would have been nervous when a late goal brought the Suns within nine points, but that was where the margin stayed. Daniel Jackson achieved the impossible by blanketing Gary Ablett and taking his supreme influence out of the game.

8. (8) Port Adelaide Power – 8-7

The Power faced a tough task this week facing the Hawks coming off a loss and while they were competitive they were outclassed. Travis Boak again was a stand out for Port Adelaide, continuing his terrific form. If they want to make the finals Port can’t afford to lose when they face St Kilda on Saturday night.

9. (10) Carlton Blues – 7-8

Keeping their finals hopes alive, the Blues had to win on Saturday night against the Saints and they did. In the absence of Jarad Waite, Lachie Henderson was thrown forward in what proved to be a masterstroke, as he kicked four goals and gave the target that Carlton needed.

10. (9) West Coast Eagles – 7-8

West Coast could have entered the top eight with a win on Sunday, but couldn’t get the job done. They were well in the game against Fremantle until the final five minutes, but Fremantle ran away with the game. The Eagles have a tough run home, so this loss could come back to haunt them if they don’t make the finals.

11. (13) Adelaide Crows – 6-9

The Crows had one last crack at making the finals on Friday night and fell short. Against Collingwood, Adelaide came out hard but was pressured by harder bodies and couldn’t stop Scott Pendlebury. Tom Lynch continued his good form to kick four goals, and his work rate was excellent all night.

12. (11) North Melbourne Kangaroos – 6-9

Just when it looked like North were putting a horror season behind them, they conceded another big lead and lost another close game in Brisbane on Saturday. The Roos looked set to cruise to an easy victory in the last quarter but the wheels fell off and they lost by 12 points. While they had some injuries on the bench North couldn’t stand up when the pressure was on, eliminating their slim finals hopes.

13. (14) Brisbane Lions – 6-9

Proving their stunning comeback in round 13 was no fluke; the Lions did it again on Saturday night. Trailing by 33 points in the third term Brisbane came from nowhere to steal it from North Melbourne in the final moments. The Lions can make it three wins in a row when they face the Demons on Saturday night.

14. (12) Gold Coast Suns – 5-10

While both teams kicked six goals on Saturday night, Gold Coast was outplayed for the last three quarters by Richmond. Superboot Trent McKenzie used his kicking to advantage, while Rory Thompson was excellent on Jack Riewoldt, limiting him to one goal. Gold Coast faces an in form Collingwood in round 17.

15. (16) Western Bulldogs – 4-11

After a slow start to the match, the Bulldogs played impressively on Sunday. The Dogs were finally playing skillful, free flowing football that was entertaining to watch. They didn’t win, but the Western Bulldogs would have won over some new fans on Sunday.

16. (15) St Kilda Saints – 3-12

While the talking point will be the return of Stephen Milne, the Saints suffered another poor loss on Saturday night as they went down to the Blues. The 2013 season is becoming a nightmare for St Kilda having only won three games. St Kilda hosts Port Adelaide on Saturday night.

17. (17) Melbourne Demons – 2-13

After a little resurgence under Neil Craig, the Demons went backwards on Saturday against the Cats. Melbourne was embarrassed by the hardness of Geelong’s midfield and set a new record low for inside 50s. Melbourne plays Brisbane in Darwin on Saturday night and will look to return to positive form.

18. (18) Greater Western Sydney Giants – 0-15

GWS was simply not good enough on Sunday, going down by 129 points in a poor performance. Jeremey Cameron again played a lone hand up forward, kicking three goals. Even Kevin Sheedy couldn’t find anything positive in the match as the Giants still search for their first victory, and it’s beginning to look like they wont find it this year.