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AFL Power Rankings: Round 14

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

1. MELBOURNE

Last week: 1

Fascinated to see how they front up for the second half of the home-and-away season. Looked like they desperately needed the bye. Have beaten Geelong, Brisbane, the Western Bulldogs, Sydney and Richmond already in 2021.

Next up: Essendon

2. GEELONG

Last week: 2

Continue to build beautifully. Might have dodged a bullet at home against the Western Bulldogs, but there is a considerable amount to like. The loss of Mitch Duncan (knee) is a blow.

Next up: Brisbane

3. BRISBANE

Last week: 4

Get an opportunity to stake a claim with their home fixture against the Cats. Dayne Zorko’s return from suspension will be important. Genuine contender.

Next up: Geelong

4. WESTERN BULLDOGS

Last week: 3

Were better than the Cats for longer than many expected down the highway. Important they don’t cough up another one here in WA against West Coast.

Next up: West Coast

5. WEST COAST

Last week: 5

The injury tide appears to have turned. Luke Shuey should be available to tackle the Bulldogs and Tim Kelly is recovering from his knee issue faster than expected. Don’t have a great deal of wriggle room if they are to finish top four.

Next up: Western Bulldogs

6. PORT ADELAIDE

Last week: 7

Their performance against the big boys this year has been poor. Are presented with a chance to amend that against Sydney, albeit minus the influence of Robbie Gray (knee).

Next up: Sydney

7. RICHMOND

Last week: 6

Back in familiar surrounds in Melbourne, the Tigers have the capacity to be a different beast. Expect them to start their traditional late-season surge in trademark fashion against St Kilda.

Next up: St Kilda

8. SYDNEY

Last week: 8

Like Melbourne, were crying out for a break and now that they have had it, can spike. We saw what they did when fresh earlier this year. Can Lance Franklin go on a tear in the second half of the season?

Next up: Port Adelaide

9. ESSENDON

Last week: 9

There is so much to like about this side right now. Jake Stringer willed them over the line against Hawthorn. The best of those outside the top eight and that’s a good mantle to have because GWS and Fremantle are travelling OK also.

Next up: Melbourne

10. GWS

Last week: 11

Started with intent against Carlton and ended up winning convincingly. Toby Greene continues to lead superbly and the midfield is humming. Nick Haynes remains elite.

Next up: Hawthorn

11. FREMANTLE

Last week: 10

The season goes on the line this weekend against Collingwood. Even if Nat Fyfe doesn’t get up, the prospect of taking on Collingwood without Darcy Moore and Jordan De Goey can’t be wasted. A fit Matt Taberner would be invaluable.

Next up: Collingwood

12. ADELAIDE

Last week: 12

Get a real look at a second successive road win this weekend when they enter Victoria to play Carlton. The week off will have been appreciated by the kids and Taylor Walker.

Next up: Carlton

13. CARLTON

Last week: 14

Not sure we can say much more. Nothing changed with the Blues against GWS, even with John Barker being moved on, the announcement of a football department review and the benefit of a bye to reset.

Next up: Adelaide

14. COLLINGWOOD

Last week: 13

Robert Harvey, step right up. The long-time assistant has an opportunity to showcase his wares and give the club a good platform from which to attack 2022.

Next up: Fremantle

15. ST KILDA

Last week: 15

In all sorts. We saw what happened earlier this year when the Saints ran headlong into Richmond.

Next up: Richmond

16. HAWTHORN

Last week: 17

The signs over the past fortnight have been encouraging. The competitiveness and cohesion, lacking for the most part of the first half of the year, have returned.

Next up: GWS

17. GOLD COAST

Last week: 16

Stewart Dew and his coaching staff, indeed the whole football club, need to understand the urgency of the situation. If they don’t, the outcome will be bleak.

Next up: North Melbourne

18. NORTH MELBOURNE

Last week: 18

Put themselves in the frame for the second consecutive week, yet emerged without a victory. Are on the improve.

Next up Gold Coast

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