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AFL Power Rankings: Round 5

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

1. WESTERN BULLDOGS

Last week: 1

Might not have come up against the best in the competition, but couldn’t have made a slicker start to their campaign. A pleasure to watch.

Next up: GWS Giants at Manuka Oval

2. RICHMOND 

Last week: 4

Flexed their muscles big time opposed to St Kilda. A fearsome outfit when dialled in. Will ask many questions of Melbourne this weekend.

Next up: Melbourne at the MCG

3. MELBOURNE 

Last week: 3

Efficient, uncompromising and mature. This Demons side is the real deal. Overcame personnel issues to flog Hawthorn and will relish the test against the Tigers.

Next up: Richmond at the MCG

4. PORT ADELAIDE 

Last week: 2

Operating at a high standard, but their injury toll is increasing. Like West Coast, will be hard to take down on home soil all season.

Next up: St Kilda at Adelaide Oval

5. WEST COAST 

Last week: 5

Have a wonderful opportunity to make a statement against Geelong. Need to as well given their inability to close out games interstate against the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda.

Next up: Geelong at GMHBA Stadium

6. GEELONG 

Last week: 7

Are ahead of the win-loss ledger after yesterday, but still have deficiencies in front of goal. Ball movement needs to improve. The availability of Jeremy Cameron should help.

Next up: West Coast at GMHBA Stadium

7. BRISBANE 

Last week: 10

Smacked Essendon in the wet. Return to Melbourne for a crucial game against Carlton. Importantly, it’s at Marvel Stadium.

Next up: Carlton at Marvel Stadium

8. FREMANTLE 

Last week: 8

Have entered the top-eight conversation. Important away win yesterday leads into three consecutive Optus Stadium assignments. Making great strides.

Next up: North Melbourne at Optus Stadium

9. SYDNEY 

Last week: 6

The loss to GWS was compounded by ruckman Tom Hickey’s knee injury. There are signs a couple of the kids are starting to knock up. Danger game on the Gold Coast this weekend.

Next up: Gold Coast at Metricon Stadium

10. ADELAIDE 

Last week: 12

Coughed up a very winnable match against Fremantle. They have exceeded expectations to this point. Is reality about to set in?

Next up: Hawthorn at UTAS Stadium

11. CARLTON 

Last week: 11

Blues supporters are entitled to be frustrated. Weren’t disgraced against Port Adelaide, but there’s too much of the same stuff being dished up. Need to take a scalp soon.

Next up: Brisbane at Marvel Stadium

12. GWS 

Last week: 14

In all sorts at 0-3. Now 2-3 and can be very happy at getting to that point. A swag of stars are missing, but those who are available have stepped up.

Next up: Western Bulldogs at Manuka Oval

13. ST KILDA 

Last week: 9

Horrific against Richmond. That came off a five-day break and the withdrawal of selected pair Zak Jones and Rowan Marshall. Can Brett Ratten get them back on track?

Next up: Port Adelaide at Adelaide Oval

14. COLLINGWOOD 

Last week: 15

The season is slipping away … and quickly. They still possess some star power, but it is being eroded by injuries. The unavailability of Jeremy Howe for several weeks limits Nathan Buckley’s options.

Next up: Essendon at the MCG

15. ESSENDON 

Last week: 13

Took a step backwards against Brisbane. Must rebound on the big Anzac Day stage. Remain very much in the developmental stage.

Next up: Collingwood at the MCG

16. GOLD COAST 

Last week: 16

Terribly disappointing in the first half against the Western Bulldogs. Will miss finals again and face another winter out of the limelight.

Next up: Sydney at Metricon Stadium

17. HAWTHORN 

Last week: 17

No denying they have had a brutal fixture to start the season. Unless they start kicking totals, the losses will pile up.

Next up: Adelaide at UTAS Stadium

18. NORTH MELBOURNE

Last week: 18

Awfully limited. Look like they will occupy 18th for the entire season.

Next up: Fremantle at Optus Stadium

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