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The top four places on the ladder look settled after Round 18, with Adelaide's and Collingwood’s wins putting them two games and percentage clear of the ruck developing for spots five to ten. Losses for Melbourne, Geelong, Essendon and West Coast have left all four sides in precarious positions, while the Bulldogs continue to defy predictions that they have left their run at the finals too late.
Essendon faces a tough few weeks ahead if it is to remain in the race for the finals after it surrendered to a red-hot Brisbane outfit at Colonial Stadium. The Bombers threw everything at the reigning Premiers, but were ultimately undermanned, eventually going down by 37 points. The pain of defeat was compounded by the prospect of losing key forward Matty Lloyd for next week’s crucial showdown with Adelaide.
Read nowWe acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Custodians on whose Country we are based. We acknowledge their ongoing connection to Country and pay respect to their Elders, past and present. We extend that acknowledgement and respect to all First Nations peoples throughout Australia.
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