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AFL Power Rankings: Round 16

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

1. WESTERN BULLDOGS

Last week: 2

Hard not to be impressed with the way Luke Beveridge’s men have performed for the bulk of 2021. Continually make light of injuries to key personnel to perform at an elite standard. Will be shocked if they don’t finish top two.

Next up: Sydney

2. MELBOURNE

Last week: 1

Have now dropped three games for the season, including two of their past three. Aren’t at the level we saw earlier in the year. Goals have dried up.

Next up: Port Adelaide

3. BRISBANE

Last week: 3

Are probably a bit stiff not to be above Melbourne. Love their maturity and willingness to embrace a challenge, like the one thrown at them by Adelaide. Easy to admire.

Next up: St Kilda

4. GEELONG

Last week: 4

Were on their heels early doors opposed to Essendon before they flexed their muscles. The loss of Jeremy Cameron hurts. It was an unnecessary brain fade from both player and club medicos which could yet prove costly.

Next up: Carlton

5. PORT ADELAIDE

Last week: 5

Haven’t really stood up that well against the competition’s better sides. Face a genuine football audit this week against Melbourne. Huge match with top-four implications.

Next up: Melbourne

6. SYDNEY

Last week: 7

Were screaming for the bye, but have emerged following it full of vibrancy. Overcame the disappointment of a narrow loss to Port Adelaide with a clinic against West Coast. Lance Franklin is running on top of the ground and that is telling.

Next up: Western Bulldogs

7. GWS

Last week: 10

Their effort to be inside the top eight at this point of the season is full of merit. Started 0-3 and have also lost to Hawthorn and drawn against North Melbourne recently.

Next up: Gold Coast

8. WEST COAST

Last week: 6

You can’t defend the indefensible. Have dropped their past two games by a combined total of 147 points. Cannot possibly win the flag on what we have seen too often this season.

Next up: North Melbourne

9. RICHMOND

Last week: 8

Watching them fumble and bumble their way around Marvel Stadium last Thursday night was staggering. They look sore and are bereft of confidence.

Next up: Collingwood

10. FREMANTLE

Last week: 9

Fell asleep at the wheel when they should have been up and about early against Carlton. Their entries were shoddy, as was their goal kicking. Only have themselves to blame.

Next up: Hawthorn

11. ST KILDA

Last week: 12

Have probably left themselves too much to do, but their initial three quarters against Collingwood were terrific. Are hunting in numbers and their better players are in good nick.

Next up: Brisbane

12. ESSENDON

Last week: 11

Last round’s loss to Geelong confirmed they still have a way to go. There has been improvement, but the inability to halt a run-on has become the norm.

Next up: Adelaide

13. CARLTON

Last week: 13

Back-to-back wins over Adelaide and Fremantle are no doubt good for the soul of all attached to the football club. What do they mean? Not sure.

Next up: Geelong

14. ADELAIDE

Last week: 14

Very much in the same boat as Essendon. The upside is significant. Supporters are just going to have to bide their time.

Next up: Essendon

15. GOLD COAST

Last week: 18

Entitled to feel fulfilled after taking down the reigning premier in Melbourne. Now need to back it up and finish the year strongly.

Next up: GWS

16. COLLINGWOOD

Last week: 16

Little wonder Magpies supporters are staying away in droves. The club needs a reset with a capital R.

Next up: Richmond

17. HAWTHORN

Last week: 15

Had been in good enough form to do better than they did against Port Adelaide. Prepared to forgive. Can topple Fremantle down in Tassie.

Next up: Fremantle

18. NORTH MELBOURNE

Last week: 17

Vast improvement against the Western Bulldogs on what we saw on Good Friday earlier in the year. This weekend’s task doesn’t get any easier, however.

Next up: West Coast

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