AFL Power Rankings: Round 7 Posted on May 3, 2021May 3, 2021 | Posted by Digby Beacham 1. MELBOURNE Last week: 1 The Melbourne of 2019 and 2020, even 2018 when they advanced to the preliminary final, might have coughed up yesterday’s match to North Melbourne. Boast impressive depth and can score heavily and quickly. Deserve to retain the No.1 ranking. Next up: Sydney (MCG) 2. RICHMOND Last week: 4 Message sent. The doubters, myself included, were everywhere in the lead-up to last Friday night’s assignment against the Western Bulldogs. The display in the second half was oh so Richmond and the cavalry is returning. Next up: Geelong (MCG) 3. WESTERN BULLDOGS Last week: 2 Failed to put away Richmond before half-time and failed to handle the heat after half-time. Still in an excellent position at 6-1. Will be better for the experience. Next up: Carlton (Marvel Stadium) 4. PORT ADELAIDE Last week: 3 Were atrocious against Brisbane, their second significant failure interstate this year. Will be 6-2 though after they demolish Adelaide. Remain genuine top-four hope. Last week: Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) 5. BRISBANE Last week: 7 Have quietly improved to 4-3 and have shown they are again going to be a formidable opponent at the Gabba. The Queensland sunshine clearly agrees with Joe Daniher, while Charlie Cameron is starting to rev up. Next up: Fremantle (Optus Stadium) 6. WEST COAST Last week: 6 Virtually unbeatable here in Perth, crowds or no crowds. Have an extensive injury list, but the talent available is still high. Need to start winning on the road consistently to be considered a threat. Next up: Hawthorn (MCG) 7. GEELONG Last week: 5 Started well and tallied a list of numbers against Sydney that should have delivered them a victory. Have the experience to overcome an up-and-down start as the year progresses. Next up: Richmond (MCG) 8. SYDNEY Last week: 9 Found a way against the Cats. Felt their kids were on the wane, but there’s no denying a 5-2 start given the sides they have played is an excellent platform. Big task this week against Melbourne. Next up: Melbourne (MCG) 9. FREMANTLE Last week: 8 Disappointed after half-time in the western derby. Need to find a healthy defender or three quickly to claim a scalp. Next up: Brisbane (Optus Stadium) 10. GWS Last week: 10 Have won three of their past four and looked better ahead of the ball with Jesse Hogan in the line-up. A couple of fresh injury concerns don’t help. Next up: Essendon (GIANTS Stadium) 11. GOLD COAST Last week: 15 Were under the pump after the loss to the Western Bulldogs. Have responded brilliantly since. Entitled to believe a third straight win is achievable. Next up: St Kilda (Metricon Stadium) 12. CARLTON Last week: 12 Simply overran Essendon yesterday. Their best is good. Their worst is a worry. Have to tighten up defensively if they’re to play finals. Next up: Western Bulldogs (Marvel Stadium) 13. ST KILDA Last week: 14 Were in a menacing mood against Hawthorn. The challenge is to ensure that performance is built upon, not wasted. Rowan Marshall and Paddy Ryder playing alongside each other is huge for Brett Ratten. Next up: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium) 14. ESSENDON Last week: 11 Still have a way to go. No denying there is plenty of talent at Ben Rutten’s disposal. Getting the balance between attack and defence right is the next step. Next up: GWS (GIANTS Stadium) 15. HAWTHORN Last week: 16 Took a big step backwards against St Kilda. We can’t lose sight that their two wins over Essendon and Adelaide were by less than a kick. Jury well and truly out. Next up: West Coast (MCG) 16. COLLINGWOOD Last week: 13 For the first time this season, the players looked mentally fatigued by all the scrutiny on the club and Nathan Buckley. Under enormous pressure to respond. Next up: North Melbourne (Marvel Stadium) 17. ADELAIDE Last week: 17 Have hit the wall and over the next month will not be winning a game. Port Adelaide, West Coast, Melbourne and Richmond on the horizon. Yuck. Next up: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) 18. NORTH MELBOURNE Last week: 18 Are better for longer, but not good enough for long enough. Next up: Collingwood (MCG) Market Market
Scott Embry’s Thursday Bunbury Preview July 15, 2025 RACE 1 LASH OUT has won his last three trials at Lark Hill and expecting that over the 950m he’ll be hard to beat on… Read More
Scott Embry’s Wednesday Northam Preview July 15, 2025 RACE 1 NEW YORK SKIE looks the logic in the first (if there’s such a thing in staying maidens). She led at 1800m and gave… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Wednesday Sandown Preview July 15, 2025 Race 1 Competitive start. ORAQUA covered ground last time and that form has held up. AD VITAM made an encouraging debut at Sale and handled… Read More
Matt Young’s Tuesday Gloucester Park Preview July 15, 2025 Race 1 BEE KIND (10) looks to have the talent but looks to somewhat of a handful on the few occasions that we have seen… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Tuesday Greyhound Best Bets July 15, 2025 NORTHAM Race 2 No. 1 Cool Runnings Resuming here off a 3 month spell and showed plenty of ability before the break. Qualified up in… Read More
Matt Young’s Monday Pinjarra Preview July 14, 2025 Race 1 COCOBOLO (4) controlled last time out but dashed home in an impressive sectional over the 2185m and won with a leg in the… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Monday Greyhound Best Bets July 14, 2025 NORTHAM Race 5 No. 2 Trunkey Jennings He was a winner two starts ago from the red marble, then no luck last start and pulled… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Saturday Greyhound Best Bets July 12, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 2 No. 1 Strip Weathers Took him 8 goes to win his maiden, but now he’s ticked that off, he will be full… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Kalgoorlie Preview July 11, 2025 RACE 1 SHINE AND BURN won’t get a better opportunity to open her winning account than this. She’s had a trial at Lark Hill and… Read More
Scott Embry’s Sunday Port Hedland Preview July 11, 2025 RACE 1 MARINES CRY won a recent 950m trial at Lark Hill by over 1L in decent time. Has very little (no) race form to… Read More
Matt Young’s Saturday Northam Preview July 11, 2025 Race 1 TROUBADOUR (4) creates interest in a debut start not only in the west, but in a race overall. The shaky-isles bred pacer has… Read More
Matt Young’s Friday Narrogin Preview July 11, 2025 Race 1 Open race. Early speed looks to consist with BLIND EDITION (3) and SPEED FORCE (4) who both are just racing okay to be… Read More