Former Carlton great Mark Maclure has put a line through Melbourne's season, saying there is "no way" the club will break a 12-year finals drought.
It comes after the Demons' shock two-point loss to the 15th-placed Saints last weekend at the MCG, dropping them back into the middle-ground of the ladder.
Melbourne were flying at the start of the season, positioned third on the ladder while riding a six-game win streak. But consecutive losses to Collingwood on the Queen's Birthday, Port Adelaide on the road and the Saints have changed their narrative.
And Maclure thinks that Melbourne's tough run home will ultimately cost them a spot in the top eight.
"They’re not going anywhere. They’re not going to make the eight, Melbourne. No way, no way they will make the eight," Maclure told Fox Footy's AFL 360.
“They won’t make the eight. Have you had a look at their draw?
“They play Freo, then they play the Doggies who are hard to beat, then they play Geelong, Adelaide, [Gold Coast], then Sydney, West Coast and GWS. Which one of those are they going to win?”
The Dees will look to get their season back on track this week when they host the Dockers at TIO Stadium on Saturday night.
Melbourne's run home
R16: Fremantle @ TIO Stadium, Darwin
R17: Western Bulldogs @ MCG
R18: Geelong @ GMHBA Stadium
R19: Adelaide @ Adelaide Oval
R20: Gold Coast @ MCG
R21: Sydney @ MCG
R22: West Coast @ Optus Stadium
R23: Greater Western Sydney @ MCG
