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Another topsy-turvy week, more adjustment to the rankings, the two SA teams still bookending the rankings. Not much has changed then in season 2020.
1. Port Adelaide (last week: 1)
Remaining on top of both these rankings and the AFL ladder, Port Adelaide won a brilliant game against Carlton. I must admit they looked at risk of capitulating with a number of misses in the dying minutes, but Robbie Gray’s superb goal secured them a victory.
2. Brisbane Lions (last week: 3)
A rather important away win for the Lions, with the Queenslanders largely dominating their clash against the Giants. They displayed a maturity that the club likely needs to make it far in a seemingly inevitable finals campaign.
3. Geelong (last week: 2)
They faltered in the “big, big game” (my words, last week) against Collingwood, but, with a couple of games to go in West Australia, I won’t rush to any judgements. No Ablett (understandably) and no Selwood (frustratingly) bound to hamper their efforts in the hub, though.
4. Collingwood (last week: 4)
Boring, or simply an impeccable defence? The former is a subjective emotion but it’s impossible to argue with the latter; Collingwood’s defence has been incredible this season. Their win on Thursday night was a big one, too, ahead of a massive clash against their 2018 grand final foes this coming weekend.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
5. Western Bulldogs (last week: 8)
Last week’s loss to Carlton? Apparently as predicted as death and taxes. Nonetheless, if last week saw some of their worst footy, this week saw some of their best. Sitting (just) in side the top eight, it appears that last week’s loss was an abberation. Potentially great clash against the Suns awaits.
6. Richmond (last week: 11)
Perhaps the most comfortable win of the weekend, the Tigers’ dominated the Kangaroos, and have boosted up to fourth on the AFL’s ladder. Are Richmond back in premiership winning form? I’d beg to differ, but they’re certainly getting closer and closer.
7. West Coast (last week: 12)
A decisively indifferent beginning to the season, no longer. They’ve now had three straight wins and have crept into the top eight. Whilst I’d be dubious to read a whole lot into their derby win, it was a great win nonetheless. And given they’re going to be at home for a long while, they’re slowly recapturing their ominous nature.
8. Essendon (last week: 5)
Fell back to earth with a disappointing effort against the Dogs, but history tells us tells us this wasn’t unexpected: haunting memories of last year’s massacre against that same opposition. It won’t irrevocably affect their season, but it’s a frustrating loss after a string of nice wins.
9. Gold Coast (last week: 9)
It’s very strange to be writing about the Suns, given they had a game they were expected to win, did win with no major hiccups and are sitting inside the top eight yet again. Decent enough week for the Suns, then. And they get a bit of a reward: they’re on primetime next Thursday against the Bulldogs. Exciting stuff.
10. GWS Giants (last week: 6)
11. Carlton (last week: 7)
A bit of a drop for the Blues, I know. It’s amazing how such a close game going the wrong way can affect a team, in this case dropping the Blues out of the top eight. But I’ll maintain they’re still in the mix for a (surprise?) finals berth.
12. St Kilda (last week: 10)
The first half of a two-game trip to South Australia ended successfully. A ten-game losing streak against the Crows? Vanquished.
13. Fremantle (last week: 13)
I’ve seen more frustrating games as a Freo fan, but Sunday’s Derby was a particularly disappointing effort – namely due to the lack of just that, effort, after halftime. Freo’s injury crisis is a genuine problem, but there was a lack of any momentum that meant that a second consecutive comeback wasn’t to be.
14. Melbourne (last week: 16)
Credit where credit is due, they’ve had a very good two weeks. Last week’s close-run win over the Suns didn’t necessarily convince me, but their big win over the Hawks was perhaps the best I’ve seen the Demons play in a long, long while. The Demons challenge now is backing up this form, with a tough clash to come against Brisbane.
Steven May of the Demons. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos)
15. North Melbourne (last week: 14)
The Kangaroos are, like the three sides below them here, in a lull. Not a lot of highlights from their clash against Richmond on the weekend, but their good record against Carlton sees them a chance next weekend. No doubt they need a win, and soon.
16. Sydney Swans (last week: 17)
They’re loss to the Gold Coast wasn’t a surprise, but the fact remains that they haven’t secured victory since June 20. They’re bumped up above Hawthorn – their opponents next week – because of the fact that the Swans were reasonably competitive on Saturday.
17. Hawthorn (last week: 15)
Saturday’s effort was, well, non-existent. They’re not at the level of the winless Crows – nobody is – but Alastair Clarkson’s men were absolutely terrible on Sunday afternoon. Saturday’s clash against the Swans is one of those games where you can’t expect very much.
18. Adelaide (last week: 18)
They would’ve been very, very happy to be home. They’ll be very, very annoyed to lose that clash. Still winless, still two games behind 17th ranked North on the ladder.
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