Let me introduce you to my Footy Power Rankings. It’s a subjective ranking of every team from 1-17 based on a number of factors including results, recent form, likelihood to win a premiership and anything else that matters. Without further ado.
1. Collingwood
The Pies brushed aside their first genuine challenger in Carlton with brutal efficiency. They broke open an even match with a rapid burst of three brilliant goals in the second quarter, and maintained that lead to the finish, to hold off a hungry Blues side.
They continue to overwhelm opponents with depth, running, tackling and toughness. They’re still the ones to beat.
2. Geelong
When I watch this Geelong team I get sense of déjà vu. I’m sure I’ve seen a team like this before but I can’t quite remember…
Oh that’s right, they’re just like the 2010 Geelong team. Only difference is that you don’t confuse Chapman with another bald-headed midfielder anymore.
So after all the doom and gloom, the loss of one player and a coach doesn’t appear to have spelt the end for the Geelong dynasty. It’s the same old running and gunning Geelong team. One question remains though: if the old Geelong weren’t good enough to beat Collingwood last year, why would they beat them this year?
3. Sydney
It’s going to be an interesting season for the Swans as they continue to blood youngsters while leaning on a strong core of veterans. Goodsie had a good one last week and young Everitt stepped up, while Jude Bolton is off to a flyer.
The Cats at home next week is going to be a good test but the early signs are good for the Longmire era.
4. Fremantle
They’ve made a solid but unspectacular start, but are quietly shaping up to be a real bolter this season. They have a perfect mix of youngsters and veterans, with young dashers like Hill and Fyfe, and old reliables like Pavlich and Sandilands. It seems like now is the time for Freo to make a long-awaited push for the top.
5. Bulldogs
Don’t know what to make of the Bulldogs at this stage. They just thumped the two poorest teams in the competition. In their next three games we’ll learn a lot more. After the bye, they’re set to play Freo over there, Collingwood, then Sydney at Manuka. If they come out of those three matches in decent shape, the Doggies can set up for a good season. But if not…
6. Carlton
A good effort from the Blues, they played Collingwood tough all match and the score line doesn’t reflect just how close the two teams looked. With their re-jigged backline and a host of new youngsters, the Blues should improve plenty in 2011.
The most impressive new player for the Blues to my eye has been Curnow. My early tip for the Rising Star award this season, he has the strong body and decision-making skills of a vet, and is set to be a season long contributor.
7. Essendon
The Bombers’ hype machine has kicked into overdrive and it will be an intriguing matchup this week against Carlton. The Bombers certainly looked good against the Saints. It was the kind of running, daring, attacking game that reminded you of a younger Geelong side, and made you think that Bomber Thompson has had more than a little influence down at Windy Hill.
8. Hawthorn
Buddy. Buddy. Buddy. Buddy. Buddy. Buddy. Buddy. Buddy. Buddy. Buddy.
Sorry just getting the obligatory ten Buddy references required in any commentary on Hawthorn.
Now that that’s out of the way, let me say that yes, things are looking good for a Hawks revival this season, but perhaps asking the question “Can they beat Collingwood?” is a little bit presumptuous at this stage.
Shaun Burgoyne has clearly settled in and is looking like a star. So too Gibson, while youngsters like Shiels and Suckling are giving the Hawks a real boost. The Hawks’ aggressive recruiting over the past few seasons appears to be bearing fruit.
9. St Kilda
A team’s fortunes are often balanced on a knife’s edge. St Kilda could have easily been 2-0 after its first two matches. Instead they’re now winless and people are telling us that their premiership window has closed.
And it seems no one is more pessimistic about the Saints chances than their tortured supporters. “We’re gone,” one told me. “It’ll take us years to rebuild. We missed our chance.” Clearly, the emotional scarring of watching the past three grand finals slip through their hands has turned Saints supporters into emotional wrecks. I think someone needs to start group therapy sessions for them.
10. Melbourne
I’m a little worried about Melbourne. I tagged them to be a big mover this season but so far it looks like it will be a struggle for them just to maintain their position.
My suspicion is that they made costly errors in getting rid of key veteran players. Namely, their decisions to force James McDonald to retire (possibly their best player last year) and push Cameron Bruce out. I know they wanted to develop young players but – call me crazy – I also think you should keep the players that help you to win games.
11. Adelaide
I read this week that Adelaide has the easiest draw in the competition. They play all of the apparent easy-beats twice: Gold Coast, Brisbane and Port Adelaide. I would be more outraged, but if they keep playing like they did against Freo it isn’t going to matter.
12. West Coast
With two wins in the bag and a decent showing against the Swans, things are starting to look up for the Eagles. Cox and Embley are firing, Kerr is back… now if only they could bring back Juddy and Cuz…
13. North Melbourne
With another trip to the West this week on the cards for North, I feel like someone in the AFL scheduling department was being deliberately cruel to the Kangas. “Why don’t we make them fly all the way to Western Australia, then come back and face Collingwood. Give them a week off to think about how badly they were beaten, then we’ll make them fly all the way back to Western Australia again.” Cue evil laughter.
14. Richmond
Your full-forward has been called out for poor body language; a promising performance the week before was followed up by a shocker; you are winless after three rounds. Sounds just like any other Richmond season, really.
15. Brisbane
When Brown and Staker went down in the first game and added to Brisbane’s long list of injury woes, I thought, what did Brisbane do to the karmic gods to deserve such a wretched run with injuries?
Then I remembered they kind of stole the Lions from Fitzroy. And that they went above and beyond every other team’s salary cap to create a super team that won three consecutive premierships (basically a sanctioned version of the Melbourne Storm). And they were stupid enough to take on Fevola. So maybe they did have it coming.
16. Port Adelaide
Did you know that Port Adelaide was the last team to beat Geelong at Skilled Stadium? That was back in Round 21, 2007 when Port finished second.
Hard to believe that these two supposedly up-and-coming teams who competed for that year’s flag would go on such divergent paths in the following seasons. Since the 2007 Grand Final, Geelong has won 65 games and lost 13. Port Adelaide? Won 26, lost 43.
17. Gold Coast
When you lose by 71 points and the match is basically over in the first quarter, then you have that result called ‘promising’ and ‘showing signs of improvement’, it’s fair to say that your expectations of winning this season are pretty low.
But hey, Gold Coast players, look on the bright side. You’ve got the weather and the money and all of September off to catch some waves while your ex-teammates are stuck at training. Bad luck for them, hey.
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