AFL power rankings Round 8

A round wherein my tipping wasn’t too awful, thanks to the favourites (largely) securing victory.

This’ll be the first of a string of rankings in the next few weeks as the AFL moves into footy-bonanza mode.

1. West Coast (last week: 7)
Even if the Pies had a full-strength side, the Eagles would have still won comfortably. They were that good. I can see the reasoning to claims they’re now premiership favourites. In such a topsy-turvy season, I wouldn’t go that far – I wouldn’t give any team the label.

2. Brisbane Lions (last week: 3)
If they were a genuine, going-to-win finals contender, they would’ve put Melbourne to the sword – particularly when they were up three goals up at the final break. Taking into account that Melbourne are on a drastically improved string of form, a win is a win, but Brisbane would be annoyed they almost faded out of another clash (see: the Geelong clash a fortnight ago).

3. Port Adelaide (last week: 1)
In a piece on Saturday morning, I mentioned that “Ken Hinkley’s side additionally has to combat their tendency to drop games they should otherwise win.” I’m not saying a clash against the slick Saints would be a game they “should’ve won”, but that loss is immensely frustrating for the Power.

4. Western Bulldogs (last week: 5)
They’ve got the consistency thing (almost) nailed, winning five from their last six. The Bulldogs’ should not feel too bad about the closeness of their win, given Gold Coast’s 2020 form.

5. Geelong (last week: 3)
Like Freo, they had serious injury concerns. Like Freo, they had to endure Perth’s horrendous weather. Unlike Freo, they were cleaner, stronger and managed the conditions immeasurably better. Props to them.

6. St Kilda (last week: 12)
I’ll say it: that was perhaps the Saints’ strongest win in years. They snapped their horrid Adelaide Oval record last week against the Crows. But Saturday’s win was a deeply impressive one. Nevertheless the Saints remain perhaps the most inconsistent of any top four team at the moment. Jeez, that is strange: “top four team” and “Saints” in the same sentence.

7. Collingwood (last week: 4)
Yes, they were missing their skipper, their best in-form forward, their best small defender and a veteran midfielder. But Sunday’s clash quickly turned into a disaster for reasons other than injury. The Pies were horrendous.

(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

8. Essendon (last week: 8)
Nice win, but a little too uncomfortably close for the Dons. It was talked about a lot during the week: the Dons could drop this game that they really should have win. They didn’t lose, but played an entertaining enough duel against the Crows.

9. Richmond (last week: 6)
Injuries plus a horribly inaccurate night hampered the Tigers’ effort. Perhaps could have won that without Toby Greene’s brilliant game. The Bulldogs tomorrow night is going to be difficult, while the Lions, Port and Suns coming after that make the Tigers’ season no easier.

10. Gold Coast (last week: 9)
Oh so close, but lost four points that could’ve kept them in contention for a (still unlikely) finals slot. Play their expansion club companions in GWS next week. going to be the first time in a long, long while that the Suns would be close to favourites headed in.

11. GWS Giants (last week: 11)
Praise be to Toby Greene. Without his sensational five goal effort up forward, it’s likely the Giants lose. Friday’s win gets them back onto the winners list, but Gold Coast and Essendon shape as dangerous opponents.

12. Carlton (last week: 10)
Uniquely, last week’s heartbreaking loss was a better performance than this week’s narrow win for the Blues. It moves the Blues to 4-4, but given they’ve got matches against Hawthorn, the Eagles and Freo to come, they’ll need to ensure they don’t get complacent.

13. Melbourne (last week: 14)
Big probs to Melbourne: they were almost only the second team in the competition to come back from a three-quarter-time deficit this season. Almost being that key word.

14. Sydney Swans (last week: 16)
Far from the world’s greatest victory, but it they’ll be happy to snap a four-game losing streak. A small bounce on the rankings, but tough clashes to come (Saints, Pies, bye, Giants) in the next four weeks.

15. Fremantle (last week: 13)
I’d rather not speak about this one.

16. North Melbourne (last week: 15)
Look on the bright side: they were super gallant in defeat, something we haven’t been able to say about North for a little while. But the Kangaroo’s lost their six successive game, with next week’s clash against Adelaide a game they’re technically favourites for, but has alarm bells everywhere.

17. Hawthorn (last week: 17)
“Something, something Sydney small forward Tom Papley” is what I’m sure Alastair Clarkson wants me to write. I won’t, though: Hawthorn were terrible on the weekend. Never mind the fact they were a goal and change away from winning, the older, more experienced Hawks flopped against the equally-under pressure Swans.

18. Adelaide (last week: 18)
They were, just quietly, rather good at times on Sunday afternoon. They failed to secure victory but the Crows have apparently seen an uptick in form since arriving home in Adelaide. That may see them snag a win soon enough: the Kangaroos and the Dees are their next match-ups. plenty of upset potential in those.