WITH one round remaining in the home and away season, just two points separate five sides on the AFL ladder.

What does that mean for Melbourne?

Well, a win or loss to the Lions at The Gabba on Friday night can see the Demons finish as high as second, or as low as sixth.

With four of this weekend's games set to have major ramifications on the Dees’ fate, the scenarios are messy.

But if you can wrap your head around it, take a look below at where Melbourne could finish, how that can happen, and who it will face in week one of September.

Finishing Second:

Melbourne defeats Brisbane AND St Kilda defeats Sydney

OR

Melbourne defeats Brisbane by approximately 15* points more than Sydney defeats St Kilda to make up 0.6 percent deficit (or St Kilda defeats Sydney)

If the Demons manage to secure second spot, they will host a home Qualifying Final at the MCG. This will be against either the Swans (if they defeat St Kilda by a narrow margin), the Magpies (if they defeat Carlton and St Kilda defeats Sydney), or the Dockers (if they defeat GWS, St Kilda defeats Sydney and Carlton defeats Collingwood).

Alternatively, if the Demons and Lions have a draw, and the Saints defeat the Swans, the Demons would host the Lions at the MCG in a Qualifying Final.

* The 15-point margin is approximate and will vary depending on both sides' total scores

Finishing Third:

Melbourne defeats Brisbane AND Sydney defeats St Kilda (retaining 0.6 percent buffer)

If the Demons finish third, they will face Sydney at the SCG in the Qualifying Final.

Finishing Fourth:

Brisbane defeats Melbourne, Sydney defeats St Kilda (or St Kilda defeats Sydney by a narrow margin), Carlton defeats Collingwood and GWS defeats Fremantle

OR

Brisbane defeats Melbourne by approximately 15 points less than St Kilda defeats Sydney AND one of Collingwood and Fremantle win, the other loses

Barring a draw against the Lions, the Dees will be relying on other results to finish fourth and face Geelong in an away Qualifying Final.

Finishing Fifth:

Brisbane defeats Melbourne, Sydney defeats St Kilda (or St Kilda defeats Sydney by a narrow margin) AND one of Collingwood and Fremantle win, the other loses

OR

Brisbane defeats Melbourne by approximately 15 points less than St Kilda defeats Sydney, Collingwood defeats Carlton and Fremantle defeats GWS

If the Demons fall to fifth, they will host a home Elimination Final at the MCG against either Richmond, Carlton or the Western Bulldogs.

Finishing Sixth:

Brisbane defeats Melbourne, Sydney defeats St Kilda (or St Kilda defeats Sydney by a narrow margin), Collingwood defeats Carlton and Fremantle defeats GWS

If the Demons fall to sixth, they will host a home Elimination Final at the MCG against Richmond (this scenario requires Collingwood to defeat Carlton, making Richmond the only side which can finish seventh).