AFL Power Rankings: Round 8 Posted on May 10, 2021May 10, 2021 | Posted by Digby Beacham 1. MELBOURNE Last week: 1 Deserve all the plaudits coming their way for remaining unbeaten after two months. Have come off a peg since taking down Richmond, but have met stiff challenges in the past fortnight. Next up: Carlton (MCG) 2. WESTERN BULLDOGS Last week: 3 Brave effort to come from behind and win pulling away from Carlton. Defence still remains an area of concern. Next up: Port Adelaide (Adelaide Oval) 3. PORT ADELAIDE Last week: 4 Did what was expected of them opposed to Adelaide. Can they elevate without Scott Lycett against the Western Bulldogs? Next up: Western Bulldogs (Adelaide Oval) 4. GEELONG Last week: 7 Were simply awesome last Friday night. Hard to imagine any side kicking 18 goals in three terms against Richmond. The forward line relished quick ball movement. I repeat, the forward line relished quick ball movement. Next up: St Kilda (Marvel Stadium) 5. RICHMOND Last week: 2 The champs are on the ropes and absorbing heavy punishment. Backing them to cover up sufficiently until the reinforcements return. Next up: GWS (Marvel Stadium) 6. WEST COAST Last week: 6 Entitled to be satisfied at improving to 6-3 with a win over Adelaide this weekend. Injuries to older players remain a little problematic. Next up: Adelaide (Optus Stadium) 7. BRISBANE Last week: 5 Building very, very nicely. Had Fremantle’s measure from the outset and clearly are relishing sleeping in their own beds for a prolonged period. Next up: Gold Coast (Metricon Stadium) 8. SYDNEY Last week: 8 Asked several questions of Melbourne on Saturday night. Will win plenty of games and play finals if they repeat that over the coming weeks. Next up: Collingwood (SCG) 9. ST KILDA Last week: 13 Have done a god job to get their season back on an even keel. The challenge is now for them to go to another level and claim a big scalp. Geelong this week come at an ideal time. Next up: Geelong (Marvel Stadium) 10. GWS Last week: 10 Were under the pump big time a month ago. The response has been full of class. Talking of class, this list still has plenty of it. Next up: Richmond (Marvel Stadium) 11. FREMANTLE Last week: 9 Were never in the match against Brisbane, but never quit either. The Lions at the Gabba is a different task than Essendon in Melbourne. Should believe they can down the Bombers. Next up: Essendon (Marvel Stadium) 12. CARLTON Last week: 12 Patrick Cripps has done more for Carlton than David Teague ever will. Questions need to be asked why the Blues skipper started the third quarter on the bench against the Western Bulldogs. Next up: Melbourne (MCG) 13. GOLD COAST Last week: 11 Could well look back on the round eight game against St Kilda full of lament. Finals could be out of the question if they lose to Brisbane this week. Next up: Brisbane (Metricon Stadium) 14. ESSENDON Last week: 14 Narrowly fell short (not for the first time) against GWS. There is still plenty to like about the way Ben Rutten’s men are going about their business. Next up: Fremantle (Marvel Stadium) 15. COLLINGWOOD Last week: 16 Nathan Buckley exhaled on Saturday evening. Good on him. Darcy Moore back and Jordan De Goey forward needs no more discussion now. Next up: Sydney (SCG) 16. HAWTHORN Last week: 15 A lack of dare from master coach Alastair Clarkson is inhibiting this group. The pressure will be eased after they handle North Melbourne. Next up: North Melbourne (UTAS Stadium) 17. ADELAIDE Last week: 17 The intent was there against Port Adelaide, but the ability to sustain an effort in the cauldron was not. Doesn’t get any easier this week. Next up: West Coast (Optus Stadium) 18. NORTH MELBOURNE Last week: 18 Poor first half against Collingwood was masked by four quick goals in the third term. Prefer not to here the word “process” being bandied out. Next up: Hawthorn (UTAS Stadium) Market Market
Harry Buchanan’s Saturday Greyhound Best Bets April 20, 2024 CANNINGTON Race 2 No. 3 Zinc and No. 6 Coco Shimmer The 3 is boxed to go close here. Good effort last week and just needs… Read More
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Chris Nelson’s Saturday Eagle Farm Preview April 18, 2024 RACE 1 Interesting race to kick off the day at Eagle Farm with a number of the better fancied runners returning from breaks. Clearly the… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview April 18, 2024 RACE 1 Another big day of Group 1 racing at Randwick kicks off with a 1400m Midway which as per all the Midways looks very… Read More
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview April 18, 2024 Race 1 LOUCID DREAMS (5) has been placed in two of his last three starts and looks the one to beat here with the drop… Read More
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