Carlton's bid to break their nine-year AFL finals drought is looking shaky after their second straight loss.
The Blues appeared certain to secure a finals berth for the first time since 2013 as they raced to 8-2 under new coach Michael Voss.
But after going down to the Brisbane Lions by 33 points at the Gabba on Sunday, Carlton's finals position is under threat.
The Blues (12-8) will play reigning premiers Melbourne next Saturday night, before a round 23 blockbuster with in-form rivals Collingwood.
Carlton need to win at least one of their remaining matches to lock up their finals spot, or risk the Western Bulldogs or St Kilda jumping above them.
The Blues sit seventh, above Richmond (11-1-8) in eighth, but the Tigers have favourable matches to come against Hawthorn and Essendon.
The Bulldogs (10-10), last year's beaten grand finalists, have endured an inconsistent season and were soundly beaten by Fremantle on Saturday.
But the 10th-placed Bulldogs could still play finals for the fourth-straight year if they defeat GWS, as expected, next Saturday and Hawthorn in Launceston in the final round.
The Bulldogs would then require Carlton to lose both of their games while hoping to make up a small percentage gap on the Blues.
St Kilda (11-9) remain an outside chance to sneak into the top-eight but poor percentage could end up costing them.
The Saints will need to beat the Brisbane Lions on Friday night, then the in-form Sydney Swans at Marvel Stadium in the final game of the home-and-away season.
Geelong are all but certain to claim the minor premiership after thumping the Saints on Saturday night.
The Cats have games against Gold Coast (away) and wooden spoon contender West Coast (home) to come.
Next Sunday's blockbuster at the SCG between the Swans and Collingwood will go a long way towards securing a top-four spot for the winner.
