While Essendon, the Kangaroos, Brisbane and the Bulldogs firmed as favorites for top four positions after round 19 - all recorded important wins - the make-up of the rest of the eight remains in doubt.Carlton strengthened its hold on a spot with a win over Fremantle, but Port dropped a crucial game at Geelong, while West Coast, St Kilda, Sydney, Adelaide and Richmond all lost, squandering chances to stake a firm hold on a place in the eigh