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AFL Power Rankings 2018: Round 12

11th June, 2018
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Can the Eagles continue their hot form? (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
Roar Guru
11th June, 2018
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2226 Reads

It was a good weekend of footy. For the most part, the rankings were a little tricky this week (curse you, bye rounds) but there’s some big changes in the top eight. And Carlton ain’t bottom no more.

1.West Coast
Last week: 2

Had the bye, but given both Richmond and the Demons (arguably their two closest competitors, or close to it) lost, it was a good weekend for Eagles fans – they’re now number one by default.

2.Richmond
Last week: 1

This team is more adverse to travelling than the goal review team is to reviewing goals. Can’t win away? Shouldn’t be the June premiership contenders. Or, in a perfect world, premiership contenders at all.

3.Collingwood
Last week: 6

Absolutely brilliant. There wasn’t a bad moment on Monday afternoon – Cox booting five probably the best of them. You just feel that this team is something special. Could they win the premiership? Well, who knows. I’d still say no – but I’m teetering on being undecided.

4.Sydney Swans
Last week: 5

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They could’ve selected 22 random people from their sizeable continent of Victorian fans and still defeated the hapless Saints. Huge game against the ladder leaders in four days time – that’ll tell us a lot about how authentic this side’s premiership aspirations are.

5.Geelong
Last week: 7

Pretty good win, really. Always good for Chris Scott to get one over his brother, but more widely it’s another all important win for the side if they’re contending for top four or higher. Big game against the Tigers’ next weekend.

6.Melbourne
Last week: 3

Oh, no. Melbourne did a Melbourne thing. It’s almost like watching a toddler take their first steps. They struggle for so long, before spending a little while walking, then beginning to jog – then smashing into the wall. Collingwood was the wall. The only question is can they get up again?

7.North Melbourne
Last week: 4

Frustrating performance, actually, but they’ll live and die another day. Got the bye to freshen up, get a few injured players back and then tackle the second half of the year. If it’s anything as good as their first half, they’ll be ‘right.

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8.Port Adelaide
Last week: 10

A fine win, albeit overshadowed by the media’s universal questioning of Richmond. I suppose the lack of publicity could work in Port’s favour, though. They must quietly build on this – a few big games coming up.

9.GWS Giants
Last week: 9

They played this week? I thought it was a televised training drill. They certainly followed up last week’s breakthrough win with a big, big win against their fellow expansion club.

10.Hawthorn
Last week: 8

They had the bye, but Alistair Clarkson dressing up as John ‘Horse’ Longmire headed down the slide yesterday was a classic.

11.Essendon
Last week: 12

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They needed a win after the Dreamtime at the ‘G fiasco. They got the win. Did we learn too much? Nope. Will we learn plenty after the bye when they face the Eagles? Again, probably not. I do not see this team playing finals.

12.Adelaide
Last week: 11

Is it weird to feel somewhat bad for the opposition when your team beats them? Cause that’s what I’m feeling right about now.

Such a resilient team, I feel like this year’s fast becoming something the team can’t conquer. They’re probably about as likely for finals as Fremantle are. That’s saying something.

13.Fremantle
Last week: 15

Winning without Nat Fyfe – yeah, awesome, but let’s leave the great man out of the conversation for a second. Fremantle won with some of the kids standing up tall. The future of the club, ignoring the cliche – proved themselves. They’ve gotta beat Carlton though. Or else we’ll be back to square one.

14.Western Bulldogs
Last week: 14

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The Dogs had the bye this round.

15.Brisbane Lions
Last week: 13

Can we talk about the fact that their coach pulled a hammy headed down the MND slide yesterday? As for the team – well, trying amicably but losing is starting to become a frustrating trademark of this Brissy side.

16.Carlton
Last week: 18

Had the bye. Thank god the Suns and Saints exist – if for nothing else than to give this side a momentary reprieve from last place.

17.St Kilda
Last week: 17

Comfortably the most disappointing team in the competition – let alone one of the worst. I don’t think I’m being too harsh if I suggested next weekend’s clash against the Suns will be one of – if not the – worst game of the year bar none.

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18.Gold Coast
Last week: 15

I’m obligated to write something about them, so I’ll just type the word ‘ew’. Ew.

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