A new challenger for that last finals spot has emerged after Melbourne smashed Port Adelaide by 40 points tonight.
In what turned out to be a mini elimination final, as St Kilda ended up being obliterated by Sydney, the Dees were far too good for a hapless Power outfit whose finals chances are now officially over.
Melbourne have now moved up to ninth spot and are two games behind North Melbourne with two rounds remaining.
The Kangaroos were jumped by Hawthorn at the MCG earlier today and were chasing their tails for the rest of the afternoon after giving up a 46-point first-quarter head start.
The pressure is still on the eighth-placed North Melbourne to hold their spot in the top eight and it will probably linger until the final round because they face the rampaging Swans next week while the Demons take on the struggling Blues.
With all things being equal, Melbourne should be just one win behind North Melbourne heading into the final round.
In Round 23, the Kangas face another league powerhouse in GWS while the Demons have to travel to Geelong to face the Cats. So the odds are still in North Melbourne's favour, but only just.
Sydney held onto second spot courtesy of their thumping win over St Kilda which was driven largely by Lance Franklin's 28 disposals (10 contested), nine marks and six goals.
Even though St Kilda are still two games outside the top eight and face Richmond and Brisbane in the final two rounds, their September dream is all but over now as they are 17 percent behind the Kangaroos.
The match of the day, and probably the season, saw West Coast score an upset one-point win over Greater Western Sydney thanks to a last-second goal from Nic Naitanui.
It was the stuff of fairytales for big Nic Nat and the result put a huge dent in the Giants' top-four hopes.
They will drop out of the top four if, as expected, Geelong beats Richmond tomorrow.
The Eagles are now still in reach of a double chance and, at the very least, the win strengthens their hopes of a first-up home final.
The day's other result saw the Brisbane Lions beat Carlton by four points in an absolute thriller at the Gabba after the hosts led by 41 points at one stage.
The Blues have now lost nine in a row.
FULL TIME
Pt.Adelaide 1.2, 2.4, 6.5, 8.6 (54)
Melbourne 4.3, 8.5, 9.9, 13.16 (94)
GOALS
Pt.Adelaide: Polec 2, Young 2, Wingard, Krakouer, S.Gray, Wines
Melbourne: Brayshaw 2, Bugg 2, Garlett 2, Kent, Vince, Oliver, Frost, Tyson, Watts, N.Jones
LEADING DISPOSALS
Pt.Adelaide: Wines 31, Pittard 28, R.Gray 26
Melbourne: Vince 31, Tyson 29, N.Jones 29
Q4 31 MIN, PA 54 MELB 94
Nathan Jones runs to 40m out and as the siren sounds his kick sails through the big sticks!
What a way for the game to end for the Dees!
Q4 30 MIN, PA 54 MELB 88
Garlett puts some icing on a very tasty cake with another clever snap shot from the pocket
Back to topFirst time Melbourne have won three in a row for just over six years. #AFLPowerDees
— Rohan Connolly (@rohan_connolly) August 13, 2016
Q4 27 MIN, PA 54 MELB 81
Young roves the pack and his snap shot on goal from 30m out splits the big sticks. He now has two goals.
FULL TIME
St Kilda 5.0, 7.5, 9.8, 11.10 (76)
Sydney 4.1, 8.4, 16.7, 23.8 (146)
GOALS
St Kilda: McCartin 2, Armitage, Membrey, Weller, Wright, Dempster, Acres, Montagna, Newnes, Riewoldt
Sydney: Franklin 6, Papley 3, Parker 3, X.Richards 3, K.Jack, Hannebery, Naismith, Heeney, Nankervis, Kennedy, Hewett, McVeigh
LEADING DISPOSALS
St Kilda: Armitage 29, Ross 28, Montagna 27
Sydney: Hannebery 37, Lloyd 35, Kennedy 35, Parker 33
PROUD SWANS TONIGHT @sydneyswans #PrideGame #AFLSaintsSwans https://t.co/WMpTQAG8jC
— AFL on 7 (@7AFL) August 13, 2016
Q4 22 MIN, PA 48 MELB 79
Garlett cuts off the Ebert handball expertly and snaps truly from the pocket!
The Dees are home! And their slim finals chances are also alive!
4:50 to go
Q4 17 MIN, PA 48 MELB 73
Wines' checkside punt from the wrong pocket for a right-footer is a ripper!
Are the Power a sniff here?
Ollie Wines and dines on a tasty banana! #AFLPowerDees https://t.co/QxXdPIg88q
— AFL (@AFL) August 13, 2016
Q4 15 MIN, PA 42 MELB 73
Leading disposals: Vince 27, Tyson 25, S.Gray 25, R.Gray 24, Wines 24
Q4 27 MIN, STK 70 SYD 146
Xavier Richards joins Papley and Parker on three goals with a tremendous set shot from a sharp angle.
Q4 27 MIN, STK 70 SYD 140
With 28 disposals, Franklin has equalled his personal best.
Q4 22 MIN, STK 69 SYD 140
Leading disposals: Kennedy 35, Hannebery 34, Lloyd 31, Parker 31
Q4 8 MIN, PA 42 MELB 70
Watts' set shot from a tight angle is a beauty!! That makes things very tough for Port Adelaide.
Back to topQ4 19 MIN, STK 68 SYD 140
Parker is tackled high by Bruce and wins the free kick.
From 25m out, Parker kicks the easy goal.
Parker now has 3 goals to go with 31 disposals (13 contested), 9 marks, 5 tackles and 5 clearances.
Sydney have kicked 14 goals to 3 in the second half.
Q4 13 MIN, STK 68 SYD 133
Another 50m penalty!
This time McVeigh is the beneficiary after Roberton walks over the mark.
From the goal square, McVeigh kicks another goal for the Swans.
They've booted the last four goals, with the last three coming courtesy of 50m penalties!
THREE-QUARTER TIME
Pt.Adelaide 1.2, 2.4, 6.5 (41)
Melbourne 4.3, 8.5, 9.9 (63)
GOALS
Pt.Adelaide: Polec 2, Wingard, Krakouer, Young, S.Gray
Melbourne: Brayshaw 2, Bugg 2, Kent, Vince, Oliver, Frost, Tyson
LEADING DISPOSALS
Pt.Adelaide: R.Gray 24, S.Gray 24, Polec 22
Melbourne: Vince 25, Tyson 23, O.McDonald 18, Kent 18
Q4 11 MIN, STK 68 SYD 127
Franklin takes the mark and earns the 50m penalty after Gilbert makes late contact.
From point-blank range, big Buddy rams home his sixth goal!
Q4 9 MIN, STK 68 SYD 121
Papley boots his third goal from the goal square after winning the free kick and earning the 50m penalty.
It's getting very ugly now for the Saints.
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