A second week is in the books, but we didn’t learn a great deal in Round 2, as seven teams who won in Round 1 knocked over seven teams who lost in Round 1.
That’s not to say there was no movement in the power rankings. There are a couple of new teams in the top four and a new name at the bottom of the list.
Last week: 1
Ladder: 2
The Crows got jumped early by a switched-on Hawthorn, but slowly got the game back on their terms and eventually ran out pretty comfortable winners. Regardless of what the Hawks turn out to be this season, beating them at the MCG by better than four goals is solid work.
After crushing the Giants in Round 1 without Taylor Walker, Adelaide had to do without fellow goalkicking big man Josh Jenkins for most of the day in Round 2 – and still they put up 113 points. The early pacesetter.
Last week: 2
Ladder: 8
It was another less-than-convincing performance from the Dogs, but like a good side, they got the job done, regaining control after a scare in the final term when the Swans grabbed the lead. They overcame a poor start around the footy to get on top around the stoppages after quarter time.
Dale Morris was sorely missed in defence, but by the end of the night, they were on top in most areas – including the free kick count.
Last week: 5
Ladder: 9
No surprise to see the Giants bounce back and flex their muscles on their home deck against the woeful Suns. This is a powerful team, but a 102-point win didn’t tell us anything about them that we didn’t know.
Last week: 8
Ladder: 1
This week’s biggest movers in the rankings backed up their big win over the Swans with a thumping of the Dockers. It was complete dominance from the opening bounce. Robbie Gray put in one of the great individual performances, becoming just the fifth player since 2000 to have 30 or more disposals and boot six or more goals.
Saturday night’s Showdown is enough to make a footy fan’s mouth water.
Last week: 3
Ladder: 5
It took them most of the night to get their noses in front of the Saints, but eventually the Eagles wore down the visitors thanks in large part to the determination of their gun midfielders – Andrew Gaff, Luke Shuey, Matt Priddis and Sam Mitchell combined for 36 touches in the final term – and their accuracy. Elliot Yeo played one of those games that makes you wonder why he isn’t a star.
Last week: 4
Ladder: 7
The Cats had the lead against North Melbourne for a touch more than two minutes, but it was the right two minutes for them to claim four points in the round’s most entertaining game. Joel Selwood was a colossus in the final term with 11 tough disposals and was bloodied when the final siren sounded. The Harry Taylor forward experiment could well be over.
Last week: 7
Ladder: 4
When Carlton took a narrow lead into the final quarter on Sunday, there were flashbacks to Round 2 last year when the Demons, fresh off a win over the Giants, lost to the Bombers. But in a sign of maturity, Melbourne fought back, outscoring the Blues six goals to two in the last term to run out 22-point winners.
Teenager Clayton Oliver notched another 34 touches after 36 in Round 1. Their midfield oozes talent.
Last week: 6
Ladder: 15
The Swans were undermanned and outclassed on Friday night despite putting up a hell of a fight in the grand final rematch. It’s too early to write them off, but at 0-2, John Longmire’s men have work to do.
If there was one thing for Sydney to be excited about on Friday night, it was the game of Sam Reid. If they can get it together, he adds a dangerous new dimension to their forward line. A tough three-week stretch awaits.
Last week: 9
Ladder: 6
Followed up their nice Round 1 win over the Hawks with an equally important victory over the Lions at the Gabba. It didn’t turn out to be as easy as it looked like it could be at half-time, but road wins are incredibly valuable. Zach Merrett could find the footy in his sleep.
Last week: 10
Ladder: 3
It wasn’t pretty against the Pies, but the Tigers got the four points. The additions of Toby Nankervis, Josh Caddy and Dion Prestia have rounded out Richmond’s midfield nicely.
Trent Cotchin has been unfairly maligned in recent times, but on Friday night he looked much more like the dynamic player he was in 2012 than the grinder he’s become in recent seasons. Will jump in the rankings if they can knock over the Eagles on Saturday afternoon.
Last week: 12
Ladder: 13
Some will say the Saints blew it on Saturday night in Perth, but despite their poor conversion, that result represents meaningful progress for a team who were roadkill almost every time they left Victoria in 2016. Not many visiting teams have made the Eagles sweat like that at Subiaco in the past couple of seasons.
Last week: 14
Ladder: 12
In consecutive weeks North have taken it up to two teams with top-four ambitions. The Roos were terrific against the Cats and will give plenty of good teams headaches if they can replicate that effort. Shaun Higgins showed what a class act he is when his body allows him to be.
Last week: 13
Ladder: 14
The Hawks were much better in Round 2 than Round 1, but unfortunately for them, so were their opponents.
Last week: 11
Ladder: 11
Another case of close but no cigar for the Pies. In what was a slopfest for most of the night, Scott Pendlebury’s class stood out like a beacon. There are too many holes in this team.
Last week: 15
Ladder: 10
It looked like Leppitsch’s Lions had returned in the second quarter against the Bombers, but in the third term Brisbane showed they have a bit more pluck under Chris Fagan. They might still be a bad side, but they’re improving.
Last week: 18
Ladder: 16
Sunday was the kind of performance that will give Carlton supporters plenty of hope. Young defenders Caleb Marchbank and Lachie Plowman once again showed they might just have what takes to hold down the key defensive posts and allow the uber-talented Jacob Weitering to play in the attacking half.
Last week: 17
Ladder: 18
Could easily have them a spot lower after a dismal performance against Port Adelaide. They were never in the contest and provided almost no resistance as the Power steamrolled them. The forward half is a mess and the defence stinks. Ross Lyon has a heap of work to do.
Last week: 16
Ladder: 17
Pathetic.
col in paradise
Guest
How about for holding the ball and incorrect disposal...you may be first to the ball but its how you dispose of it - or are tackled.....the Umps have a man love crush on the Doggies now..used to be Hawks...the Umps are like Bruce McAvaney commentating - have their favourites and man crushes....it used to be the Hawks....
Adrian Polykandrites
Expert
Ellen, it wasn't intended to be. My response to Franko below accidentally posted here. I tried to have it removed but for some reason it's just left blank. Nothing more to it than that.
Ellen
Guest
A childish response.
Chancho
Roar Rookie
I think Port are better than 6th, Cam. Although I do see why you would have them there as you probably didn't have them in the 8 at the start of the season.
me too
Roar Rookie
Gee st kilda must be wondering why that didn't apply to them last week. First to the ball throughout the first half, 2 free kicks reward, both against Mitchell. 13 against?
me too
Roar Rookie
Always seem to play in a grand final when they start 0-2 however.
sammy
Guest
The only adjustment I would make to your Adelaide comment is that Phil Walsh set the process in motion for the brand of football the crows play. Don Pyke has come in and refined it and added what appears to be real pace to the midfield this year..exciting times ahead I hope
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
1/ Adelaide -- Hawthorn looked dangerous until the last 10 minutes. Great win away from home. Don Pyke is the anti-Ross Lyon. What he's done with that list in the space of 18 months is simply incredible. Too hard with the rest right now. I think we can discount Hawthorn as a top 4 chance. I haven't looked at Sydney's draw, but I think they can bounce back and make the top 4. The Port loss was an upset, but they were supposed to lose to the premiers in Melbourne. Without umpires meddling with the result I think Sydney would have been ahead and able to nurse a lead in the final quarter rather than chasing the Bulldogs. West Coast I think had a one off bad performance. It's a little concerning though because they rolled over in a way like they did to the Bulldogs at Subiaco in the final last year, as they did to Adelaide at Subiaco earlier last year. The umpires got West Coast over the line pure and simple. Blame the Saints all you want for being inaccurate, but the least you can ask for from a match is for it to be adjudicated impartially. Also, umpire meddling kills momentum, affects confidence which affects goal kicking. Port have been mediocre since the middle of 2014 after they had that blistering start to the season, so I can't take them too seriously. GWS did what they do on their home ground to bad teams. They'll be in the top 4, but I still think they lack a plan B. Geelong I had around 6th at the start of the year and that's what they're playing like. The Bulldogs were almost outplayed by Collingwood, and needed umpire meddling to get them over the line against the interstate and injury ravaged Swans at their home fortress of the Docklands. They would be happy being 2-0 having not looked like the team from the last year's finals.
Macca
Guest
Personal stuff? Like saying "You blokes still going with this ‘ten year’ born to rule arrogance?" - you know what they say about people in glass houses. And how exactly would you react differently to a first hand account saying the blues won 3 of 4 pre-season games or a third hand account saying the blues won 3 of 4 pre-season games? - it is a statement of verifiable fact.
mattyb
Guest
Hey bloke,if you want to answer the question do so just give the personal stuff a spell hey! No ones forcing you to reply. I do think it's significant if the commentary is first,second or third hand also,very significant actually. Third hand information especially should be referenced as such.
Peppsy
Roar Guru
Wins don't mean much. Last year GC went 3-0, but played like a bottom 4 team and beat the teams that came 14, 16, and 18.
Jewel
Guest
You must draw the teams out of a hat to compile this list! GWS third after smashing a team that me and 21 of my pals could beat (and I'm a middle aged woman) and the week prior showing that no matter how invincible they look at Spotless, the fact remains they still look a long way off beating any team of note away from there and Port fourth after beating witches hats but at least have shown they can win away from home. Then you have Swans eighth ahead of two unbeaten teams? Makes no sense to me at all.
Mango Jack
Guest
Suns should be further down the list.
Macca
Guest
Mattyb - This post isn't even up to your usual low standards. "Marchbank might need to still to do a bit of work on both his disposal and decision making." What a shock a player with less than 10 games experience might need to work on these things - who remembers the "butcher of bomberland" or the brain fades Alex Rance was famous for early in his career - Marchbank isn't the finished product but his talent is obvious. "Plowman has been ok" He must be an early brownlow favourite for you to concede that much. "This Northern Blues practice game talk. Is this a first hand account of what’s going on or is this commentary just having us read something you guys have read somewhere else?" Not sure you need to actually watch the game to recognise that the blues have won 3 from 4 and that is a big improvement for a side that hasn't played finals. "You blokes still going with this ‘ten year’ born to rule arrogance?" How exactly is saying a player "looks like" a 10 year defender "born to rule arrogance"?
I ate pies
Guest
Fair enough
Jim
Guest
These rankings aren't really a pure 'head to head' ranking though - more a reflection of a longer term average of performance. I agree with the original point however - the swans have had a sluggish start to the season.
Cameron Rose
Expert
I guess I started the year with GWS at the top, and I don't see enough reason yet to drop them any lower. Adelaide's win over them sees them get promoted to the top, and are clearly playing the best football of any team at the moment.
mattyb
Guest
You blokes still going with this 'ten year' born to rule arrogance? The penny might drop one day I suppose. Plowman has been ok but Marchbank might need to still to do a bit of work on both his disposal and decision making. This Northern Blues practice game talk. Is this a first hand account of what's going on or is this commentary just having us read something you guys have read somewhere else?
I ate pies
Guest
GWS were belted last week and beat the most pitiful team in a decade this week; what's the reasoning behind having them so high?
Franko
Guest
Thanks, and first to do it without a behind since John Platten - haha. Would not have picked Brett Ratten!