Having started the season 9-0, the Roos are in danger of doing the unthinkable and missing out on the finals altogether after their loss to Port Adelaide on Saturday. Matches in the next fortnight against two of the sides just below the Power – the Magpies and Saints – will tell the story. Lose both of those and the mother of all fadeouts will be on the cards. The Roos are hoping to have Ben Jacobs, Sam Wright and Shaun Higgins back for September – but will it matter?

Run home: Collingwood (Etihad Stadium), St Kilda (Etihad), Western Bulldogs (Etihad), Hawthorn (MCG), Sydney (Blundstone Arena), GWS (Etihad)

Port Adelaide (8-8, 109.9%, 9th)

Hot and cold all season, Port are still alive after their fast start bounced the Roos. The Power have shown a vulnerability against some of the league's weaklings – beaten earlier in the season by Fremantle and Carlton. Still, they should be too strong for the Lions, Demons and Suns, which makes next Sunday's home date with the Giants critical. Working to Port's advantage is that they already have a percentage buffer on North. Defender Jack Hombsch is due to return in 2-3 weeks.

Run home: GWS (Adelaide Oval), Brisbane Lions (Gabba), Sydney (SCG), Melbourne (Adelaide), Adelaide (Adelaide), Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium)

St Kilda (8-8, 90.5%, 10th)

The Saints have been arguably the league's most inconsistent side, but their home form has generally been reliable. While their comparatively poor percentage dents their chances, the Saints don't have to travel again. If they can beat North and spring an upset against one of Sydney or the Bulldogs, they could still be alive going into the final fortnight of the home and away season. Paddy McCartin, Jimmy Webster and Sam Fisher are all closing in on returns from injury.

Run home: Western Bulldogs (Etihad), North Melbourne (Etihad), Carlton (MCG), Sydney (Etihad), Richmond (MCG), Brisbane Lions (Etihad)

Melbourne (7-9, 101.3%, 11th)

The Demons should be kicking themselves about their early-season failures. They remain the only side to lose to Essendon, and nearly edged a high-scoring game against North Melbourne in Hobart. Despite their healthy percentage, Sunday's loss to the Saints leaves Melbourne with an almost impossible battle to usurp the Roos, especially with three challenging away games to come. Jesse Hogan was reported on Sunday, so could miss a trip back home to Perth next week.

Run home: West Coast (Domain Stadium), Gold Coast (MCG), Hawthorn (MCG), Port Adelaide (Adelaide), Carlton (MCG), Geelong (Simonds Stadium)

Collingwood (7-9, 91.8%, 12th)

The Magpies are playing much better football in recent weeks, but losses to the teams just above them on the ladder have effectively killed off their chances of making the finals. Still, they have a reasonably accommodating run home, and should at least provide a test for their four upcoming opponents currently in the top eight. It's a massive six weeks too for Nathan Buckley, whose contract expires at the end of next year.

Run home: North Melbourne (Etihad), West Coast (MCG), Richmond (MCG), Western Bulldogs (Etihad), Gold Coast (Etihad), Hawthorn (MCG)

Richmond (7-9, 88.9%, 13th)

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick effectively drew a line through his side's finals chances after the round 15 loss to Port Adelaide, and Richmond have been blooding plenty of youngsters since. Despite withstanding plucky Essendon on Saturday, hopes of a 2014-esque run to the finals are fanciful. The Tigers should be looking at 2017, although some heavy defeats against contenders would increase the pressure on Hardwick.

Run home: Hawthorn (MCG), GWS (Manuka Oval), Collingwood (MCG), Geelong (MCG), St Kilda (MCG), Sydney (SCG)