After six rounds last season, the top eight teams were the same eight teams who eventually played finals. Go back to 2014 and only five of those in the eight at this point of the season saw September action.
It feels like things are taking shape, but there’s a hell of a lot of footy to play.
Last week: 1
Ladder: 1
It’s like the Crows play downhill. Their attack is as relentless as it is brilliant. Their defence ain’t half bad either. Rory Sloane is the best player in the competition through six rounds.
Last week: 2
Ladder: 2
The Giants weren’t at their best but still managed to beat a good side thanks to some individual brilliance. Since losing to the Crows in Round 1, GWS are 5-0 with a percentage of 164.
Last week: 4
Ladder: 5
Only percentage separated the teams that finished fourth through sixth last season. The past two weeks’ percentage-boosters could be worth their weight in gold for the Power in September. Paddy Ryder is a hell of a player.
Last week: 5
Ladder: 7
Outplayed the Giants for most of the night but paid the price for too many missed chances. It was the best they’ve looked all season. Interestingly, the Dogs’ two highest clearance winners against GWS were Josh Dunkley and Toby McLean.
Last week: 3
Ladder: 3
The Cats have played with fire a few times this season, on Sunday Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield couldn’t douse the flames in the final term.
Last week: 7
Ladder: 6
If the Eagles are good-to-great at home, at average-to-poor on the road, what the hell does that make them overall? They’ll more than likely win enough games at home to play finals without being a real threat.
There’s nothing wrong with that – not everyone can win the flag – it’s just uninspiring.
Last week: 6
Ladder: 4
The first quarter against Adelaide was of the highest quality. Unfortunately, they were quickly steamrolled by the best team in footy after that. Nothing to be ashamed of, but a reality check nonetheless.
Last week: 8
Ladder: 8
They really needed that one before the season started to slip away on them. For the fourth time this season, Clayton Oliver had at least 30 disposals, he’s also had at least 11 contested possessions and five clearances in every game. He’s played 19 games, which is also how old he is.
Last week: 9
Ladder: 9
Regardless of what the Hawks are, that was an impressive performance from St Kilda. They had the game under control from the start and blew a bad team away with a dominant second half. Those kind of wins are important.
Last week: 10
Ladder: 10
The Bombers are a mid-table team who lost to a team that’s slightly better than that. That’s what’s supposed to happen.
Last week: 13
Ladder: 12
Is that the win that launches them to something greater, or did they just turn it on for a week against a team they seem to match up well with? So many questions about this team.
Last week: 11
Ladder: 11
Were never in the contest against the Eagles. It was a disappointing performance after three straight wins.
Last week: 12
Ladder: 15
Finally got over the hump, but not before putting a scare into their fans like few clubs can.
Last week: 15
Ladder: 13
Remember that week when Gary Ablett was washed up?
Last week: 18
Ladder: 14
Two wins in six games while keeping an eye firmly on the future with young players filling key posts. This season is going very nicely for the Blues.
Last week: 14
Ladder: 18
The Swans’ season is over in terms of finals aspirations, but there’s still a lot for them to play for. The Sydney team that took the field on Saturday was younger on average than the Blues. John Longmire needs his youngsters to improve if the Swans are to bounce back sooner rather than later.
Last week: 16
Ladder: 17
The signs were all there in 2016 that the Hawks’ greatness had passed, but it’s still a little jarring how far they’ve fallen. Their ball movement is so stilted compared to the slickness we became accustomed to. Oh well, this is what’s supposed to happen after contending for the best part of a decade, I suppose.
Last week: 17
Ladder: 16
After a fine effort against the Dogs, the Lions dished up a performance straight out of 2016 against Port. The first 15 minutes were insipid.
Nigel Fauntleroy-St John III
Guest
Greetings your lordship. Yes my dry cleaner is a gem. His pressing is immaculate. Don't worry old sport the Red Legs will be eating hawk for supper accompanied by a snifter of brandy.
Lord Dunsborough of Malvern
Guest
My compliments to your dry-cleaner Nigel, I hope the man presses a Saville Row suit as well as he tips football. The plane will remain garaged at Essendon for the time being. I have a sporting wager with my old school chum Reginald at the Australian Club when I stopped in for a few carafes of Penfolds yesterday in William St to escape the unionist rabble marching in the CBD – I have bet him $50,000 + a weekend at Mt Buller with the loser picking up the tab that the mighty Red Legs will rout his infirm Hawks at the MCG this Sunday. Great to have some starch back in the old colours again.
I ate pies
Guest
GWS rely heavily on the blokes who have come from other clubs - Ward, Mumford, Shaw in particular. Take Ward and Mumford out and they really struggle to win the footy. If I coached I'd tag Ward and send someone in to annoy Mumford off his game.
Paul D
Roar Guru
After my rant last week about the Lions being too low I can't complain about 18th after that effort against Port, that was deplorable stuff. Some have said Port are better than everyone thinks they are, as some sort of balm - while they are probably right in saying so, it's not much salve for that sort of football, we looked a beaten side right from the get go. Be interesting to see what sort of form we bring to Sydney next week. Fascinating matchup there, whoever loses will really be feeling dreadful after it's all done
SmithHatesMaxwell
Guest
It's Adelaide's premiership to win. They just need to turn up in the finals. Other contenders from 2nd to 6th are all heavily flawed. GWS should be putting up the performances Adelaide is, but not hungry enough and I can't see that changing any time soon. Toby Greene's arrogance is symptomatic of the team's attitude.
Pete
Guest
The movements have hardly been dramatic and have avoided being over reactive to one result. They've taken into account the quality of opposition, winning margins and home ground advantage. Some people commenting in previous weeks just seem to expect it to reflect the league ladder which is not what power rankings are about.
Perry Bridge
Guest
Practice matches at the best of time - the results can be largely meaningless - heck, we showed an ability to win the close ones!!! At the time North people (myself included) thought we were beating decent enough opposition.
Karl
Guest
How were those results meaningless? North beat Sydney and Hawthorn in the pre-season and would likely beat them now. We didn't know both Hawthorn and Sydney were rubbish.
George
Guest
Agree, that was Ablett's best game in a long time. Yes, he lost a bit of speed but he worked incredible hard both way. Suns have still a lot of issues but what was pleasing they were trying hard until the last second including Gaz.
Kaniel Outis
Guest
I am looking forward to seeing the GWS seconds take on the GWS thirds this Saturday.
Kaniel Outis
Guest
Nothing funny about kicking a goal Joe. You should be doing it all the time. Nothing funny about joking with the crowd either. Melbourne weren't good, Essendon were pathetic. If Melbourne fans think they will make the eight after yesterday's performance, they have another thing coming. They caught an Essendon side that were off their tucker, coming of a five day break. I agree not putting them up a rank after their win yesterday, as it was far from convincing. Come July the Melbourne faithful will be driving up to Hotham in their Range Rovers.
Kaniel Outis
Guest
Nothing funny about kicking a goal Joe. You should be doing it all the time. Nothing funny about joking with the crowd either. Melbourne weren't good, Essendon were pathetic. If Melbourne fans think they will make the eight after yesterday's performance, they have another thing coming. They caught an Essendon side that were off their tucker, coming of a five day break. I agree not putting them up a rank after their win yesterday, as it was far from convincing. Come July the Melbourne faithful will be driving up to Hotham in their Range Rovers.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I agree that this week's rankings are just about spot on, but let's not pretend things haven't changed. 13 sides moved spots this week. I was appealing to Adrian to move Sydney and North lower a couple of weeks ago. Feeling pretty vindicated now. (I know, I know, easy to be an armchair critic.)
mattyb
Guest
Good observation Lamby and something the stats don't pick up on unless you go looking
andrew
Guest
well, ablett did give away 2 frees in his defensive 50 on sat night, so surely this means he was running down there.
Cat
Roar Guru
What a one-eyed and incorrect comment.
hal
Guest
Hello Big Four Sticks are you there? I am waiting to hear your take on the Adelaide v Richmond game.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
What the stats don't show is where those possessions are. Of the 'gun' midfielders, Sloane is really the only one who runs as much defensively as offensively. When the opposition has the ball Danger, Treloar, Ablett and Dusty don't run that hard backwards to fill space in the backline - they position themselves to receive the ball or load up for the next stoppage. Sloane is often the only bloke running back chasing the guy running through the midfield.
Macca
Guest
This weekend is very interesting, especially with Collingwood having another sort week - will it catch up with them? Collingwood haven't bee a particularly high scoring team so far this year which gives me hope the blues won't get blown away and if they can hang around long enough and exert the same effort they did on the weekend they are a big chance. Selection will be interesting - J Silvagni will miss and Fisher will probably have a rest with his hamstring, Thomas was BOG in the 2's and will probably come in and it wouldn't surprise me if Kerr got a run in Silvagni's spot after 5 goals in the last 2 weeks,
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Very true, Macca. I loved the Blues work on Saturday, and suddenly this weekends game against Collingwood becomes pretty interesting, doesn't it!