AFL Power Rankings: Round 5 Posted on April 19, 2021April 20, 2021 | Posted by Digby Beacham 1. WESTERN BULLDOGS Last week: 1 Might not have come up against the best in the competition, but couldn’t have made a slicker start to their campaign. A pleasure to watch. Next up: GWS Giants at Manuka Oval 2. RICHMOND Last week: 4 Flexed their muscles big time opposed to St Kilda. A fearsome outfit when dialled in. Will ask many questions of Melbourne this weekend. Next up: Melbourne at the MCG 3. MELBOURNE Last week: 3 Efficient, uncompromising and mature. This Demons side is the real deal. Overcame personnel issues to flog Hawthorn and will relish the test against the Tigers. Next up: Richmond at the MCG 4. PORT ADELAIDE Last week: 2 Operating at a high standard, but their injury toll is increasing. Like West Coast, will be hard to take down on home soil all season. Next up: St Kilda at Adelaide Oval 5. WEST COAST Last week: 5 Have a wonderful opportunity to make a statement against Geelong. Need to as well given their inability to close out games interstate against the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda. Next up: Geelong at GMHBA Stadium 6. GEELONG Last week: 7 Are ahead of the win-loss ledger after yesterday, but still have deficiencies in front of goal. Ball movement needs to improve. The availability of Jeremy Cameron should help. Next up: West Coast at GMHBA Stadium 7. BRISBANE Last week: 10 Smacked Essendon in the wet. Return to Melbourne for a crucial game against Carlton. Importantly, it’s at Marvel Stadium. Next up: Carlton at Marvel Stadium 8. FREMANTLE Last week: 8 Have entered the top-eight conversation. Important away win yesterday leads into three consecutive Optus Stadium assignments. Making great strides. Next up: North Melbourne at Optus Stadium 9. SYDNEY Last week: 6 The loss to GWS was compounded by ruckman Tom Hickey’s knee injury. There are signs a couple of the kids are starting to knock up. Danger game on the Gold Coast this weekend. Next up: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium 10. ADELAIDE Last week: 12 Coughed up a very winnable match against Fremantle. They have exceeded expectations to this point. Is reality about to set in? Next up: Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium 11. CARLTON Last week: 11 Blues supporters are entitled to be frustrated. Weren’t disgraced against Port Adelaide, but there’s too much of the same stuff being dished up. Need to take a scalp soon. Next up: Brisbane at Marvel Stadium 12. GWS Last week: 14 In all sorts at 0-3. Now 2-3 and can be very happy at getting to that point. A swag of stars are missing, but those who are available have stepped up. Next up: Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval 13. ST KILDA Last week: 9 Horrific against Richmond. That came off a five-day break and the withdrawal of selected pair Zak Jones and Rowan Marshall. Can Brett Ratten get them back on track? Next up: Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval 14. COLLINGWOOD Last week: 15 The season is slipping away … and quickly. They still possess some star power, but it is being eroded by injuries. The unavailability of Jeremy Howe for several weeks limits Nathan Buckley’s options. Next up: Essendon at the MCG 15. ESSENDON Last week: 13 Took a step backwards against Brisbane. Must rebound on the big Anzac Day stage. Remain very much in the developmental stage. Next up: Collingwood at the MCG 16. GOLD COAST Last week: 16 Terribly disappointing in the first half against the Western Bulldogs. Will miss finals again and face another winter out of the limelight. Next up: Sydney at Metricon Stadium 17. HAWTHORN Last week: 17 No denying they have had a brutal fixture to start the season. Unless they start kicking totals, the losses will pile up. Next up: Adelaide at UTAS Stadium 18. NORTH MELBOURNE Last week: 18 Awfully limited. Look like they will occupy 18th for the entire season. Next up: Fremantle at Optus Stadium Market Market
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