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AFL Power Rankings: Round 19

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

1. GEELONG

Last week: 2

Could not be travelling any better. Still without some headline acts, but the manner in which they are building towards September is impressive. Know what is required around this time of year.

Next up: North Melbourne

2. WESTERN BULLDOGS

Last week: 3

Can consider themselves stiff not to be on top of the heap. The loss of key defender Alex Keath is somewhat of a concern. Marcus Bontempelli is a marvel and powers a high-class midfield.

Next up: Adelaide

3. MELBOURNE

Last week: 1

Would be disappointed not to get the Western Bulldogs in conditions you would think suited them. That said, they butchered some opportunities in front of goal. Still very much in the flag race.

Next up: Gold Coast

4. BRISBANE

Last week: 6

One wonders what Chris Fagan was thinking at half-time against Gold Coast. The contrast between the initial 60 minutes and what we saw in the second half was stark. Could it be the display that sparks them?

Next up: Hawthorn

5. SYDNEY

Last week: 4

Going along swimmingly. Would love to see them jump out of the blocks rather than stand their opponents a start as they have done the past fortnight. Deserve to be eyeing off a top-four berth.

Next up: Essendon

6. PORT ADELAIDE

Last week: 5

Are getting some reinforcements back and taking care of business. Still have concerns about how they will stand up against the competition’s big dogs.

Next up: GWS

7. WEST COAST

Last week: 7

Are they flying? No. Are they doing what they need to do to lock away a finals berth? Yes. Still being scored against too easily and the hamstring issue of Liam Ryan is a worry.

Next up: Collingwood

8. ESSENDON

Last week: 8

Fluffed their lines yesterday against GWS. They still look like the side outside the top eight with the upside and X-factor to grab a finals spot.

Next up: Sydney

9. GWS

Last week: 12

If you can confidently predict how they are going to go from week to week, you are a great judge. Mix their form like no other.

Next up: Port Adelaide

10. ST KILDA

Last week: 10

Had a crack against the Eagles, but some of their ball use was ordinary. The losses to Port Adelaide and West Coast might just see them out.

Next up: Carlton

11. RICHMOND

Last week: 9

Looked absolutely shot at half-time, only to rally slightly in the second half. Are on fumes.

Next up: Fremantle

12. FREMANTLE

Last week: 11

Like Richmond, look spent. The injuries to Nat Fyfe (shoulder) and Michael Walters (hamstring) loom as the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

Next up: Richmond

13. CARLTON

Last week: 13

Sometimes coaches fall to a loss that is just too hard to come back from. The one suffered by the Blues, chasing a spot in the finals against the 18th-placed team, looks like one.

Next up: St Kilda

14. GOLD COAST

Last week: 14

Awesome in the first half against Brisbane. Atrocious in the second half against Brisbane. Just a poor day at the office and undoes much of their good recent work.

Next up: Melbourne

15. COLLINGWOOD

Last week: 15

The effort and willingness to take the game on against Port Adelaide, minus Scott Pendlebury for the most part, was solid. Game plan is easier on the eye than Nathan Buckley’s to be honest.

Next up: West Coast

16. NORTH MELBOURNE

Last week: 17

Could quite easily finish the year in last spot, but they are trending in the right direction. The progression of the kids is exciting.

Next up: Geelong

17. ADELAIDE

Last week: 18

Looked to be limping to the line, but hit the Hawks with a positive game plan and were duly rewarded. Now to finish the last month off strongly.

Next up: Western Bulldogs

18. HAWTHORN

Last week: 16

The inconsistency in effort is proving frustrating. Are unable to sustain efforts in the course of a game and over multiple weeks.

Next up: Brisbane

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