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AFL Power Rankings: Round 17

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

1. MELBOURNE

Last week: 2

If you had any doubts over the authenticity of Melbourne prior to last Thursday night’s game against Port Adelaide, surely they have dissipated. The genuine article. Top-two spot and all finals at the MCG await.

Next up: Hawthorn

2. WESTERN BULLDOGS

Last week: 1

Prepared to forgive their slip-up against Sydney. No Aaron Naughton left them vulnerable forward of the ball. They have dished up some ordinary efforts against teams with stout backlines.

Next up: Gold Coast

3. GEELONG

Last week: 4

Continue to tick along nicely. Never really extended themselves against Carlton, yet won comfortably despite missing key personnel. Will know they are in a contest on Thursday night upcoming.

Next up: Fremantle

4. BRISBANE

Last week: 3

Tough to get a handle on them now in the wake of the defeat to St Kilda that was compounded by the season-ending knee injury suffered by Eric Hipwood.

Next up: Richmond

5. SYDNEY

Last week: 6

Have emerged from their mid-season bye with a head of steam. Look like a side that has embraced the fact it is going to be in Melbourne for the long term. The Bloods culture will be referenced a fair bit from here on in.

Next up: GWS

6. PORT ADELAIDE

Last week: 5

Cannot be trusted. How many times do we give them a leave pass for failing to turn up against the league’s big boys, especially at home?

Next up: St Kilda

7. WEST COAST

Last week: 8

Can consider themselves fortunate to be as high as No.7. Look out on their feet and are bereft of confidence and an ability to compete for four quarters. Should beat Adelaide.

Next up: Adelaide

8. FREMANTLE

Last week: 10

How they wish they had turned up against Hawthorn a week earlier opposed to Carlton. For the first time in what seems an eternity, are inside the top eight deep into a season. Destiny is in their hands.

Next up: Geelong

9. ST KILDA

Last week: 11

Their two weeks leading up to last weekend were superb. They then went and elevated even further. Are back in the top-eight mix.

Next up: Port Adelaide

10. RICHMOND

Last week: 9

Jack Riewoldt talked the talk in the lead-up to the game against Collingwood. There was no walking the walk. They have come to a standstill. A finals berth would be wasted on them.

Next up: Brisbane

11. ESSENDON

Last week: 12

You could mount an argument that the Bombers are currently the best team outside the top eight. Will that translate into a finals berth? Not convinced.

Next up: North Melbourne

12 GWS

Last week: 7

Don’t deserve to play finals if you can’t beat North Melbourne, Hawthorn and Gold Coast. Simple as that.

Next up: Sydney

13. COLLINGWOOD

Last week: 16

Regardless of the result, Collingwood fans would have left the MCG with hope. The ball movement and dare was oh so refreshing. The win was the cherry on top.

Next up: Carlton

14. CARLTON

Last week: 13

No denying they have been better defensively over the past month. But the inability to convert and some questionable coaching leaves them in no-man’s land.

Next up: Collingwood

15. GOLD COAST

Last week: 15

Stuart Dew, take a bow. You have revived the club’s fortunes in the past fortnight. Back-to-back away wins over Richmond and GWS have been full of merit.

Next up: Western Bulldogs

16. ADELAIDE

Last week: 14

Had taken some strides forward in 2021. Took a mighty big one backwards last Friday night. Putrid performance.

Next up: West Coast

17. NORTH MELBOURNE

Last week: 18

Still find themselves on the foot of the ladder, but a win over West Coast in Perth carries weight. Their kids are coming along nicely and the senior players are doing their bit.

Next up: Essendon

18. HAWTHORN

Last week: 17

Were slaughtered in the midfield by Fremantle and that was reflected on the scoreboard. Important they don’t down tools over the next few weeks.

Next up: Melbourne

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