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Opinion
Welcome back to my Power Rankings, a weekly column where I discuss every side and why they’ll inevitably lose to Essendon in September.
This round had everything remarkable upsets (Hawthorn), historic milestones (Sydney Swans), and the Carlton faithful collectively blowing the lid off and unbooking all their September holidays as it is finally coming home. Now without further ado read on for my power rankings of your side.
18. West Coast Eagles (down three)
14 changes, a mammoth 14 changes between Rounds 1 and 2 have West Coast dropping to the lowest rung of my power rankings.
They were gallant in defeat with the Eagles dominating large sections of the last quarter however they effectively ran out with a reserve grade quality side against the former wooden spooners. However, as soon as the Eagles play a side of consequence, I believe they will be found out as such they earn the lowest rank on this ladder.
17. Port Adelaide Power (down ten)
Is it extreme to have Port this low on my list? Yes, most certainly. However, the Hawks dominated them despite the Power owning the traditional statistical indicators which tend to indicate victory including disposals (416 to 342), inside 50s (58 to 46), and clearances (54 to 30) indicating that the Power should have dominated the territory battle.
However, no Charlie Dixon no Power it would seem. The Power are now 0-2 and looking extremely unlikely they’ll challenge the upper echelons of the league.
16. North Melbourne Kangaroos (up one)
The Kangaroos chalked up an important 4 points on Sunday afternoon. While it was a far cry than the eleven rounds, they strung together last year without a win it was an extremely unconvincing win that sees them move up only one spot in these rankings. With injuries to Luke Davies Uniacke and Taryn Thomas raining on their parade the Roo’s are sure to go into next week missing valuable class required to perform at the highest level.
15. Adelaide Crows (down one)
A false alarm was about the most interesting thing to happen in this match. But it was a strange selection choice from the now experienced Matthew Nicks dropping the enigmatic Riley Thillthorpe in favour of the bluer collar Lochie Gollant.
Without the strength of the bullocking tall Thillthorpe ahead of the ball the Crows forward line struggled for potency with no player kicking more than one goal for the match. Additionally, the Crows appeared to lack the required forward momentum to truly do damage on the scoreboard winning the marks category by +30.
14. Essendon Bombers (up four)
Did the Bombers lose that game in poor fashion? Yes, they were beaten by what they knew. Lachie Neale has polled eight of a possible nine Brownlow votes against the Bombers in his time at the Lions. However, I am nothing if not an optimist and am choosing to focus on the Carey-like performance of Peter Wright in the first quarter with two goals and nine marks.
While Archie Perkins was also able assisting the Bombers with three goals. The problems start to arise when you consider the defensive efforts of the Bombers, they had 32 tackles for the game despite losing the possession count to the crisper Lions. The Bombers are very much still a work in progress and with injuries to Nik Cox and Zac Merrett it looks like its about to get worse before it gets better.
13. St Kilda (up three)
Accurate Higgins? Not-so Missy Higgins? It was the Jack and Max show for the Saints on Sunday afternoon with each player contributing four goals to a reinvigorated Saints outfit. It was also a rare win with Rowan Marshall playing without Patrick Ryder as well and away from home against the heavily fancied Fremantle Dockers.
The Saints have been under the pump for over a year now and will need to continue to perform should Brett Ratten aim to keep his job. The Saints also exploited Fremantle’s lack of composure on the outside intercepting the ball at will.
12. Greater Western Sydney (down three)
GWS are on struggle street. First a loss to the brutally efficient Swans followed by their embarrassing capitulation to the mercurial Tigers. Things went from bad to worse for the Giants as they allowed the Tigers to run rampant by six goals with the inability to shut down their run and carry on the outside.
While injuries to Phil Davis and Daniel Lloyd made matters worse for the Giants as they always seem to be carrying injuries.
Nick Daicos of Collingwood competes for the ball with GWS’ Lachie Whitfield. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
11. Gold Coast Suns (up two)
That was the very definition of an honourable loss. The Suns provided valuable lessons to the rest of the competition as they showed how you tag the Melbourne Demons midfield with their array of midfield weapons.
They were able to shut down the vital run and carry by running a deep tag with Jeremy Sharp running on his shoulder. The Sun finally appears to be rising on the Gold Coast after a long cold winter of poor form and scandal.
10. Fremantle Dockers (down two)
Gross. Just Gross. That was an extremely winnable game for the Dockers. Given their opponent and their previous performance against the Crows both matches were eight-point games for the Dockers.
However their inability to score as well as find an appropriate target forward of the ball is costing the Dockers games.
9. Western Bulldogs (down three)
I am worried about the Western Bulldogs. They’ve become one of seven sides to go 0-2, and while the trend line is not quite as severe as it used to be for 0-2 sides.
However, the trend for sides that have been smashed in a grand final still is missing finals. The Bulldogs lost this weeks game because of their inaccuracy kicking two goals seven behinds in the last quarter to finish the game like a wet fart.
(Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
8. Collingwood Magpies (up three)
Well, that’s two from two matches for all three rookie senior coaches. The Magpies have developed quiet the potent mosquito fleet with Oli Henry, Beau McReery, Jack Ginnivan and Jamie Elliot forming a diverse grouping combining for seven of their fifteen goals.
While Jeremy Howe appears to have a new lease on life being the vital commanding general assisting with Scott Pendlebury’s move to the backline. The Pies have been unexpected delights this year and they may surprise some naysayers in the punditocracy.
7. Hawthorn Hawks (up three)
Looks like Sam Mitchell is the man with the plan now. By all metrics besides the scoreboard the Hawks should have lost that game.
However Mitchell had a plan to absorb the offensive punches of the impotent Port forward line before exploding off the half back line scoring something like seven goals from possession chains that began in the Hawks defensive fifty.
6. Richmond Tigers (up six)
The Tigers of old are back. Minus Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, and Dion Prestia the Tigers system came to the fore with many equitable contributors.
With their key forwards they tore apart the hapless Giants backline with Noah Balta and Tom Lynch kicking 4 and 3 goals respectively. Also the outside run of the Tigers stretched the Giants as their exemplary midfield was torn apart by the line breaking run of players like Hugo Ralphsmith, Shai Bolton, Jayden Short, and Liam Baker.
5. Geelong (down four)
A week is a long time of footy. The question is which one is the real Geelong? They played well however they would rue their inaccuracy with 10 goals 17 behinds. However, it’s not all doom and gloom with Brad Close providing ample highlights with an accurate four goals.
However, concerns arise when you consider their inability to switch gears against an offensively potent Swans outfit.
Tyson Stengle celebrates a goal with his Geelong teammates. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)
4.Carlton Blues (up one).
Time to tear up your September plane tickets the Blues are 2-0. They beat quality opponents as well in those two matches and beat them handily. Gone were the flighty Blues of old allowing other sides to get the run on. Yes, I have concerns surrounding their key defensive depth with an injury prone Caleb Marchbank and a massively pedestrian Lachie Plowman. But the Blues have started off as positively as they could, I still have reservations surrounding the durability of their key players, but the Blues have started off the season as positively as they could.
3. Melbourne Demons (no change)
That was an unconvincing win. But a W is a W. The Dees would be glad to bank the four points against the Suns, however, it shows a trend continuing whereby they underestimate lowly performing opposition and allow them too much leeway to perform.
The Demons banked the four points however it was about as unconvincing a win as possible so there’s no change for the Demons this week.
2. Brisbane Lions (no change)
The Lions faced a disappointing Bombers outfit at Marvel stadium. Initially the Lions let the Bombers run rampant. However, the experience of Chris Fagan came to the fore applying a soft tag to Zach Merrett after he gathered 21 disposals in the first half with Tom Berry applying the clamps.
Moreover Fagan would be extremely happy with the distribution of goal kickers with no one player dominating the game making it exceptionally difficult for opposition to shut down their strong forward line.
1. Sydney Swans (up three)
Lance Franklin attained the rarest of all milestones this weekend when he kicked 1000 goals. However, it is a different player I wish to talk about Paddy McCartin who has been a revelation as an intercepting defender with five intercept marks for the game including five in the first quarter alone!?
He has gotten ruthlessly efficient at zoning off on smaller opponents and knowing when to leap over and provide an accurate fist.
Well there you have it folks. What do you think? Lookin’ at you Port fans. Leave your thoughts in the comments below and I will do my best to respond.
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