Port Adelaide has defeated Collingwood, while Hawthorn and Melbourne celebrate their respective victories over North Melbourne and St Kilda.
Power beat Magpies, finals appearance within reach
Port Adelaide has moved a step closer to securing its first finals berth since 2014 after defeating Collingwood by 27 points at Adelaide Oval.
The 14.14 (98) to 10.11 (71) victory consolidates the Power's position inside the top eight on 48 points, steering them a match clear of three teams - Melbourne, West Coast and the Bulldogs.
The loss will do little to make Magpies coach Nathan Buckley feel confident of holding onto his position beyond this season, the visitors registering their 11th loss in the 2017 premiership.
More to come.
Summary
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Demons down Saints to move back inside the eight
Melbourne has returned to the top eight with a gritty four-goal win over St Kilda at the MCG to provide a massive blow to the Saints' finals hopes.
In a fierce battle between two sides desperate to remain in the hunt for a top-eight spot, the Demons dominated early and staved off the fast-finishing Saints for a 14.12 (96) to 10.12 (72) victory.
The Demons led by 40 points late in the second quarter and looked set to claim an easy win.
But the Saints, helped by Jack Steven's eight disposals and three inside 50s, switched gears in the third term, cutting the margin to 10 points at the final break.
Tim Membrey brought the Saints within a goal when he slotted his second major early in the fourth quarter.
But Melbourne found a response through Mitch Hannan, who stepped up with the match on the line after a quiet start.
The young forward steadied his teammates' nerves with a sweetly-placed set shot, then moments later took a strong contested mark and kicked truly to put the result beyond doubt.
The result lifts Melbourne into seventh spot on the ladder, while the 11th-placed St Kilda is a win behind eight-placed West Coast with two matches remaining against North Melbourne and Richmond.
It was one-way traffic early with the Demons cruising to a five-goal lead at quarter-time.
With no Jesse Hogan or Jack Watts, and Tom McDonald starting in the backline, small forward James Harmes did the damage, slotting three majors in the first quarter.
Melbourne's slick ball movement and ability to transition from the backline at high speed was in stark contrast to the fumbling Saints, who coughed up multiple goals from turnovers.
Ruckman Max Gawn had a rare off day, being well beaten by Saints counterpart Billy Longer, but Nathan Jones (35 disposals) and Clayton Oliver controlled the midfield battle.
The Saints lost prime mover Koby Stevens to concussion after a first-quarter collision with Demons midfielder Angus Brayshaw.
Brayshaw was outstanding in just his third game for the season, having spent a prolonged break on the sidelines after suffering his fourth concussion in the space of 12 months.
Hawks get the job done against Kangaroos
Hawthorn produced the goods when it counted to beat North Melbourne by 27 points in Launceston, a result which had no bearing on the top eight.
The Hawks won 18.8 (116) to 14.5 (89), their ninth victory of the season having them placed 12th on the ladder, while the Kangaroos slipped to a 5-15 win-loss record to sit in 16th place.
Luke Bruest booted a match-high four goals for the Hawks, while captain Jarryd Roughead kicked three and a host of others scored doubles.
Hawthorn held the lead all afternoon, with the margin blowing out to 51 points midway through the third quarter.
But it was not all smooth sailing.
The Kangaroos went into the final term with momentum on the back of five-straight goals, which reduced the margin to 19 points.
Devonport junior Ben Brown was a stand-out up front for the Kangaroos with three goals.
But the Hawks rallied in the last quarter in front of a 14,509-strong crowd.
Kangaroos lost captain Jack Ziebell before the match with a foot injury and were slow to start with Kayne Turner booting their first major in the 24th minute.
Hawthorn ball magnet Tom Mitchell finished with a match-high 35 disposals.
The match was the final appearance in Tasmania for former Hawks skipper Luke Hodge, who will retire at the end of the season.
AFL ladder
AAP
