The Western Bulldogs are back at their best and well and truly alive in the race for the AFL double chance.

The Doggies' 68-point demolition of Carlton at Etihad Stadium on Sunday night crowned a dream weekend for Rodney Eade's side, as their rival for fourth spot, Fremantle, suffered a shock 19-point loss to lowly Richmond.

Those results mean just one game separates fourth and fifth, and the two sides meet at Etihad Stadium in a fortnight's time.

If the Bulldogs can continue with what they produced against the Blues, a top-four spot is theirs for the taking over the remaining seven rounds.

Barry Hall kicked six goals in the 20.6 (126) to 8.10 (58) win, and fed off a midfield that used the ball brilliantly, while the Brian Lake-led defence was well organised and gave Carlton nothing.

Eade rated the win the Bulldogs' best of the season, and even had the luxury of keeping something in reserve given his side travels to Darwin next weekend.

"For four quarters, even though we tried to shut the game down in the last quarter, against a team that was equal with us and a chance of (reaching) the top four, to play like we did was really pleasing," he said.

"They're a quality side and have got some good players and can run well.

"I thought our pressure was good and we used the ball well."

Carlton entered round 15 with hopes of reaching the top four, but coach Brett Ratten conceded his side was a long way off the best.

The Blues dropped from sixth to seventh spot on the ladder.

While the race for the double chance is far from over, the top eight could be settled following Sydney's 30-point win over North Melbourne (ninth) at the SCG on Sunday.

Adam Goodes hit top form at the right time in the 12.13 (85) to 7.13 (55) win, which took the Swans to sixth, a game behind the Bulldogs.

The Kangaroos are now a game and percentage outside the eight and have a problem with the fitness of tall forward Drew Petrie, who was clearly hampered by his foot problem.

In Sunday's other game Melbourne posted their first win in six rounds with a 19.8 (122) to 14.19 (103) defeat of Essendon, who have now lost five straight.

Geelong had to work hard to keep top spot, as they were pushed all the way by Hawthorn on Saturday before they won by two points at the MCG.

Hawthorn's loss snapped a seven-game winning streak, and they occupy eighth spot.

St Kilda are second on percentage and had reason for cheer as captain Nick Riewoldt made a successful return from injury in Saturday night's 14-point win over the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba.

Riewoldt's return is timely ahead of the biggest game of next weekend, the clash against Collingwood.

The Magpies are third after an impressive win over Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium on Friday night.

Collingwood overcame a big deficit early in the game to knock the emotion out of Port, who were playing for the last time under Mark Williams.

The Power have appointed former skipper Matthew Primus as their caretaker coach following Williams' sacking.

Adelaide beat West Coast by 22 points at Subiaco Oval on Saturday.

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