INCONSISTENT LIONS BLOW BIG CHANCE
The top four sides in the competition all won in round 18 - including Carlton by more than 100 points - but there was plenty of shuffling of positions in the lower reaches of the top eight. Richmond's slide continued with a big loss to North, while Hawthorn surprised the Lions at the Gabba to jump back into the eight. The Western Bulldogs were also surprise losers, to Port Adelaide at Football Park.