Sports

AFL Power Rankings: Round 8

Posted on | 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



Recent Articles