Expert
There’s a new team at the top of the rankings.
Last week: 4
Ladder: 6
“The Swans’ season is over in terms of finals aspirations.” That’s what I wrote in these rankings after they lost their sixth straight game to start the season – and now here they are, having just beaten the Giants at Spotless for their ninth win in ten matches. Lance Franklin is a national treasure.
Last week: 1
Ladder: 1
Didn’t do a thing wrong in Darwin, their drop in the rankings is all about the Swans. A huge test awaits the Crows on Friday night though – the Cats have had their measure.
Last week: 2
Ladder: 3
They’re been barely going for two months and have won just once in five weeks.
Last week: 3
Ladder: 2
Running out of superlatives for Patrick Dangerfield. Daniel Menzel has kicked 33 goals this season, which equals the career-best mark he set last year – it’s so good to see him getting a decent run at it.
Last week: 5
Ladder: 5
Looked lethargic early, but they flexed their muscles in the second half and ended up with a comfortable win. This week’s match-up with the Giants is huge.
Last week: 6
Ladder: 4
Port don’t play with their food when they’re up against a bad side. Chad Wingard is averaging career-highs in disposals, tackles, inside-50s, clearances, and contested possessions.
Last week: 7
Ladder: 7
The reinforcements are coming, but they aren’t secure in the eight just yet. The Demons really need a win.
Last week: 10
Ladder: 10
It was ugly early but then it became emphatic. Joe Daniher might be a top-10 player.
Last week: 9
Ladder: 8
Far from convincing, but they got the win and got Josh J Kennedy back. The Eagles still have a part to play in this season.
Last week: 8
Ladder: 9
Talk about a let-down…
Last week: 12
Ladder: 11
It wasn’t particularly impressive, but the Dogs are in no position to be picky about their wins. That was a hell of a debut from Lewis Young.
Last week: 11
Ladder: 13
The Hawks are playing some pretty decent footy. Please let Shaun Burgoyne play on in 2018.
Last week: 13
Ladder: 12
That was a classic “if you didn’t know the scores” game. The Dockers blew it against the Eagles. Another Nat Fyfe-type game from Nat Fyfe though.
Last week: 15
Ladder: 14
Healthy Daniel Wells is the Pies’ second-best player – it was good to have him back on the park. Hopefully the win stops the Nathan Buckley stories for at least a week.
Last week: 14
Ladder: 16
For all the Blues’ improvement, scoring is still really hard for them. They’ll be OK.
Last week: 16
Ladder: 17
Might not be the last time they cop a beating like that this year. There’s only so long a team can remain motivated when the season is lost.
Last week: 17
Ladder: 15
The Suns are the least interesting team in the competition.
Last week: 18
Ladder: 18
Made the Tigers work for their four points. For the second time in a month Dayne Zorko struggled to deal with a tag, he can probably expect more of that.