The Adelaide Crows may be runaway leaders on both the official ladder and in the ESPN AFL Power Rankings, but it's not the official second-placed Giants, third-placed Cats or fourth-placed Tigers who are second on the form ladder just two weeks out from the finals.
Instead, and despite sitting fifth on the ladder, the rampaging Sydney Swans are the No. 2-ranked side this week after they demolished Fremantle by 104 points at the weekend.
Of the contenders, the Tigers tumbled out of the Power Rankings' top four after losing to an undermanned Geelong down at the Cattery while Port Adelaide bounced back up after their Round 20 Showdown shocker.
There's also some action in the bottom half of the top eight.
Much like on the ladder, the battle for the final couple of spots in September is tight with the Demons, Bulldogs, Bombers and West Coast all still in contention to varying degrees.
St Kilda's low ranking reflects their bitterly disappointing season, while Brisbane Lions have now overtaken Gold Coast, North Melbourne and Fremantle in the rankings -- a fair reward for an encouraging back half of the season.
1. Adelaide
Last week: 1 (no change)
Round 21: defeated Essendon by 43 points
Hats off to the Crows, who retain top spot in the rankings for a fourth-straight week. Adelaide hadn't played at Etihad Stadium in 2017 prior to Saturday's clash with the Bombers -- a variable that could have thrown a spanner in the works in terms of their minor premiership aspirations -- but they were ruthless in disposing of genuine top-eight contenders. Don Pyke's men made the Bombers look second-rate without too much effort, meaning they've officially secured a home qualifying final; they need win only one of their final two matches of the minor premiership to secure top spot. Oh, and cancel your Friday night plans because the Swans are set to visit Adelaide Oval this week.
Next: Sydney Adelaide Oval, Friday 7:20pm (ACDT), 7.50pm (AEST))
2. Sydney
Last week: 2 (no change)
Round 21: defeated Fremantle by 104 points
The Swans are on a rampage. Not satisfied with their remarkable turnaround in form, the Swans demolished a hapless Fremantle at home to send a strong message to the rest of the competition. Not only are they going to be finalists, a top-four finish is not out of the question should they defeat the Crows on Friday night. Other results have to fall their way, but it's incredible to consider that a double chance is on the cards after their 0-6 start to the season. This week's match-up with ladder-leaders Adelaide is tantalising to say the least.
Next: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval, Friday 7:20pm (ACDT), 7.50pm (AEST))
3. Geelong
Last week: 3 (no change)
Round 21: defeated Richmond by 14 points
No Hawkins? No Selwood? No Duncan or Blicavs? No worries for the Cats, who handled the pressure with aplomb on Saturday. A win means the Cats have overtaken the Tigers on the ladder to sit just one win from securing a top-four finish. Harry Taylor continues to be one of the competition's most competent swingman, while even Steven Motlop showed glimpses of exciting form (just in time for finals). The Cats take on the Pies this week and the Giants (at Simonds Stadium) in the final round; that run home can't be described as easy but it will take more of an effort to miss out on top four than to make it.
Next: Collingwood (MCG, Saturday 2:10pm AEDT)
4. Greater Western Sydney
Last week: 5 (up 1)
Round 21: defeated Western Bulldogs by 48 points
For all that has been said, the Giants are sitting second on the ladder despite a winless four-week period earlier in the year. They've now won three in a row, after taking care of the Dogs on Friday night, but they'll need to get over the Eagles (who beat them at home last year) and the Cats (in Geelong) to lock in that home qualifying final. This group has something to prove, and they're certainly not a side opponents want to play in September if possible.
Next: West Coast (Spotless Stadium, Saturday 4:35pm AEDT)
5. Richmond
Last week: 4 (down 1)
Round 21: lost to Geelong by 14 points
Many predicted the Tigers to win their massive clash with Geelong considering the Cats' outs, but Simonds Stadium is a tough place to play no matter who is on the park. Spurred on by the "noise of affirmation", the Cats ran away with 14-point victory in a low-scoring affair. The defeat is not disastrous for the Tigers, who stay in the top four (for now), but Sydney and Port Adelaide are just one win behind and both have a superior percentage. That means the Tigers must win their final two matches - against Freo in Perth this week and the Saints at the MCG in Round 23.
Next: Fremantle (Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm AEDT)
6. Port Adelaide
Last week: 7 (up 1)
Round 21: defeated Collingwood by 27 points
Port Adelaide really struggled to bury the Pies on Sunday, but any win is a good win after their disastrous Showdown the week before. Port are still yet to beat a legitimate contender in 2017, as has been well documented, yet they sit sixth on the ladder with the prospect of a home final beckoning. This week's match-up is curious as they face the Dogs in the newly redeveloped Mars Stadium in Ballarat.
Next: Western Bulldogs (Mars Stadium Ballarat, Saturday 1:45pm AEDT)
7. Melbourne
Last week: 8 (up 1)
Round 21: defeated St Kilda by 24 points
Melbourne responded to a big challenge in a big way on Saturday, sending the Saints packing from mseason 2017. The Dees set the tone from the outset of what was virtually an elimination final, kicking seven of the first eight majors to put the match out of reach early. The third-quarter lapse might concern Dees coach Simon Goodwin, but ultimately the win keeps them in the eight with a healthy percentage. The Dees play Brisbane and Collingwood to close their season, results that fans might be inclined to pencil in as wins, but both the Lions and Pies have been in solid form over the past month or so. The Demons are stiff not to rise up the rankings, but will do so with a win this week.
Next: Brisbane (MCG, Sunday 1:10pm local)
8. Western Bulldogs
Last week: 6 (down 2)
Round 21: lost to GWS by 48 points
The Bulldogs' top eight prospects have taken a massive hit after they lost to the Giants on Friday night: They're still in the hunt, but the 48-point defeat has damaged their chances considering their middle-of-the-road percentage. The Dogs sit ninth on the ladder, but they are the lowest-ranked side of the three teams with 11 wins, meaning they'll need to win both their remaining matches (against Port and Hawthorn) to qualify. This week's match is a home fixture against the Power, in Ballarat. No offence to the regional Victorian city, but there's no doubt the Bullies would have preferred to play this one at Etihad Stadium.
Next: Port Adelaide (Mars Stadium Ballarat, Saturday 1:45pm AEDT)
9. Essendon
Last week: 9 (no change)
Round 21: lost to Adelaide by 43 points
The Bombers are back behind the eight-ball after falling to the ladder-leading Adelaide on Saturday night. They're tenth on the ladder, one win behind the Demons, Dogs and the Eagles, but positively their percentage is healthy. Essendon have the chance to get back on the winners' list -- and boost that percentage further - - when they visit the Suns on Saturday. Gold Coast have been lacklustre on the field in recent week, while their off-field situation is arguably worse, meaning Essendon have the chance to storm back into contention.
Next: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm AEDT)
10. West Coast
Last week: 10 (no change)
Round 21: defeated Carlton by 17 points
The match against Carlton wasn't pretty, but West Coast came away with a win that keeps them (just) in the hunt for a top-eight spot. The Eagles were made to earn their 17-point win by a plucky Blues outfit that hit the lead late in the third quarter, but to West Coast's credit (and a three-goal breeze) they were able to grind out a much-needed win. Moving on, the Eagles face a massive uphill battle to make finals considering they play the Giants (away) and the Crows (at home) in the last two weeks. They need a minor miracle from here.
Next: GWS Giants (Spotless Stadium, Saturday 4:35pm local)
11. Hawthorn
Last week: 13 (up 2)
Round 21: defeated North Melbourne by 27 points
The Hawks took their foot off the pedal but were able to cruise to a 27-point win over their Tasmanian co-tenants, North Melbourne, on Sunday afternoon. In a year that threatened to be a complete disaster, the Hawks have managed to blood exceptional young talent while still recording nine wins and a draw with two matches to play. The Hawks take on the Blues this week - a team that haven't beaten Hawthorn since 2005. If a 10-win season is as bad as it gets, Hawks fans have it pretty good.
Next: Carlton (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm AEDT)
12. St Kilda
Last week: 12 (no change)
Round 21: lost to Melbourne by 24 points
For a year that promised so much, St Kilda fans must feel disappointed by their team's efforts this season. Sunday afternoon's clash with Melbourne was a virtual elimination final, but the Saints, instead of starting the game with intent, turned the ball over too easily and gave up seven of the first eight goals. They now require a sizeable miracle to make finals, but, in more positive news, they'll end up with two top-10 draft picks considering they get Hawthorn's first-round pick in this year's draft.
Next: North Melbourne (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 3:20pm AEDT)
13. Collingwood
Last week: 11 (down 2)
Round 21: lost to Port Adelaide by 27 points
Not many will have given the Pies much hope heading into Sunday night's clash with the Power, but they hung around long enough to keep it interesting. The Pies have had an encouraging few weeks and would love nothing more than to give the Cats a reality check this week at the MCG. Throwing a spanner in the works is the fact that Collingwood have won their past three over the Cats, with the most recent win coming earlier this year.
Next: Geelong (MCG, Saturday 2:10pm AEDT)
14. Brisbane
Last week: 17 (up 3)
Round 21: defeated Gold Coast by 58 points
Brisbane are this week's big mover in the rankings after a solid couple of months of football. They've won four since the bye, while teams like Gold Coast, Carlton and North have stagnated; that is a positive sign for the future considering the kids taking to the park each week. Brisbane recorded their highest score for the season on Saturday, and managed to keep the Suns to just 12 goals, in what marked a crucial step forward in the development of such an inexperienced side. The Lions have come a long way since giving up an average of 120 points per game in 2016, and there's plenty to like for fans up north.
Next: Melbourne (MCG, Sunday 1:10pm AEDT)
15. North Melbourne
Last week: 16 (up 1)
Round 21: lost to Hawthorn by 27 points
North Melbourne have jumped up the rankings this week, which may seem odd considering they lost to the Hawks at the weekend. Put simply, the Roos' effort was streets ahead of whatever Fremantle and Gold Coast could muster. This year can't really be described as a success, but coach Brad Scott has been able to avoid the wooden spoon while simultaneously blooding a number kids. They'll be better for it in the long run, even if there is some short-term pain.
Next: St Kilda (Etihad Stadium, Sunday 3:20pm AEDT)
16. Fremantle
Last week: 14 (down 2)
Round 21: Lost to Sydney by 104 points
Prior to this season, Fremantle coach Ross Lyon had never coached in a 100-point loss. Fast forward to the end of Round 21, and Lyon has coached in two. The Dockers are a curious case: After starting the year 0-2, the Dockers rallied to win six of seven between Round 3 and Round 9. Since then, however, they've won just two matches, which has left fans wondering what went wrong. Credit to Lyon -- who has typically avoided playing the kids -- he has promoted fresh faces, some of whom have been stiff to miss out on Rising Star nominations. We suggest the Dockers take the tape from last week's match, bin it, and quickly move on to scouting Richmond.
Next: Richmond (Domain Stadium, Sunday 2:40pm AWST)
17. Gold Coast
Last week: 15 (down 2)
Round 21: lost to Brisbane by 58 points
Not only did Gold Coast have a horror week off the field, after coach Rodney Eade was given the boot, they also did nothing to improve their on-field performances in going down by almost 10 goals to the league's bottom team. The Suns started brightly, but lazy patches in the second and third quarters were their undoing. They return home this week to take on an Essendon side hunting a top-eight finish, and knocking off a contender would certainly be a nice way to conclude yet another dismal season.
Next: Essendon (Metricon Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local)
18. Carlton
Last week: 18 (no change)
Round 21: Lost to West Coast by 17 points
Carlton are stiff to remain on the bottom of the Power Rankings after two valiant efforts in a row, but they failed again to run away with a late-match lead. As seems to be the case with younger teams, they're simply too tired to run out games late in the year. Adding insult to injury, the Blues face the Hawks and the Swans in the final two weeks of season 2017, meaning they could finish the year on the bottom of the ladder if Brisbane can snag one more win. If that happens, they could well be one of the better wooden spoon sides we've seen.
Next: Hawthorn (Etihad Stadium, Saturday 7:25pm local)