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AFL Power Rankings: Round 13

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

1. MELBOURNE

Last week: 1

Clearly performed below the required level today. Remain an excellent football story in 2021. The win-loss record suggests Dees fans should still dare to dream.

Next up: Bye

2. GEELONG

Last week: 4

Fast emerging as the biggest threat to Melbourne. Experienced and now have access to Patrick Dangerfield again. The return of Cam Guthrie makes them even more imposing.

Next up: Western Bulldogs

3. WESTERN BULLDOGS

Last week: 2

Have got some big assignments upcoming, starting with this week’s clash against the Cats. The injury list is a slight concern, but their midfield is extremely potent.

Next up: Geelong

4. BRISBANE

Last week: 3

Could be underselling them. The seven-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt at the hands of Melbourne. Have a good run home. Should be finishing top four.

Next up: North Melbourne

5. WEST COAST

Last week: 8

Remain an outside hope of snaring a spot in the top four at the end of the regular season. Remain a daunting opponent at Optus Stadium, as Richmond discovered.

Next up: West Coast

6. RICHMOND

Last week: 5

Top four appears out of reach. The ceiling remains extremely high, but they are vulnerable now. Can sustain a winning run, as we have seen in recent years.

Next up: Bye

7. PORT ADELAIDE

Last week: 7

Not for the first time in 2021, failed a massive test, this time opposed to the Cats. Scott Lycett’s return from suspension cannot come soon enough.

Next up: Gold Coast

8. SYDNEY

Last week: 6

Missed a trick last Friday night at home against Hawthorn. In desperate need of a freshen-up. Still not convinced they are a lock for the finals.

Next up: Bye

9. ESSENDON

Last week: 10

Hit the bye in really good nick, despite the loss to Richmond. Have a chance to launch into the back half of the year and would love to exact revenge on Hawthorn. Need to if they are to stay in the finals conversation.

Next up: Hawthorn

10. FREMANTLE

Last week: 11

Were missing a heap of key personnel against Gold Coast, yet still got the job done. They have their critics, but there is a real substance about them.

Next up: Bye

11. GWS

Last week: 9

Did well to extract something from their sojourn to Hobart. Leaving two points down there though has the potential to be crippling.

Next up: Carlton

12. ADELAIDE

Last week: 14

Like Fremantle, there is something for their supporters to cling on to. Building nicely and Riley Thilthorpe is going to be (if not already) a star.

Next up: Bye

13. COLLINGWOOD

Last week: 16

The players will now get some clean air in which to function following Nathan Buckley’s farewell. Fingers crossed they use it wisely. Their past two weeks have been full of merit.

Next up: Bye

14. CARLTON

Last week: 15

David Teague has 10 weeks to save his job. Plain and simple.

Next up: GWS

15. ST KILDA

Last week: 12

Took a step foward in 2020. Have taken three backwards in 2021. How on the earth did they lose to Adelaide?

Next up: Bye

16. GOLD COAST

Last week: 13

One day this club will stand for something. One day. Not sure when that will be though.

Next up: Port Adelaide

17. HAWTHORN

Last week: 17

One win doesn’t make a winter. Well rewarded for being well prepared. Was it a flash in the pan or can they sustain their effort over the remainder of the home-and-away campaign?

Next up: Essendon

18. NORTH MELBOURNE

Last week: 18

Regardless of your development and the quality of your opponent, a 28-point three-quarter-time lead should never be squandered. Are on the improve, however.

Next up: Brisbane

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