AFL power rankings: Round 18
1. Sydney
Sydney’s big win over the Saints at home has kept them at the pinnacle of the power rankings. Although they still sit sixth on the ladder, they continue to be the red-hot team in the competition. If the Swans want to break into the top four for the first time this season, they’ll have to overcome a tough fortnight where they’ll face the Hawks at the MCG, and Geelong at Simmonds Stadium.
2. Adelaide
The Crows took the points in their top of the table clash against Geelong on Friday night to extend their lead over the competition to six premiership points. The 21-point win was highlighted by the Crouch brothers who combined for 61 disposals, as well as Rory Sloane who silenced the critics with 28 touches and 3 majors.
5. Richmond
The Tigers are starting to show they’ve rediscovered the form they started the season with, following a solid win over the Giants. Dustin Martin was dominant once again with 31 disposals and a goal, and looks to be the man the Tigers will look to to lead them through the finals. With Gold Coast and Hawthorn to come, the season may only be getting better for Richmond.
8. Port Adelaide
Just when you thought Port Adelaide were hitting their straps, they lose to another top eight side and make you question whether they are the real deal. The Power have won just the one game against current top eight sides and lost six, but when it comes to the bottom ten sides, they’ve won 90% of their games by an average margin of 62 points. Not good signs heading into the finals.
10. West Coast
West Coast’s travel woes continue after they gave up a four-goal lead in the final quarter to lose to Collingwood by eight points. A bad miss by Elliot Yeo mid-way through the final quarter kept the game alive, and the Eagles failed to bounce back. Adam Simpson’s men fell out of the top eight as a result of the loss, and could find it difficult to re-claim their position.
11. St Kilda
The Saints suffered a bad loss to the red-hot Swans on Saturday night, dropping them down to 11th on the ladder and making their fight for the finals a lot harder. A hamstring injury to Leigh Montagna could signal the end to his solid career, and a poor run of games by Nick Riewoldt could also see him hang-up the boots come season’s end. St. Kilda will need something very special to see them feature in September.
12. Hawthorn
If the Hawks had defeated the Cats in Round 17, their finals hopes could be well and truly alive given their recent form. Unfortunately for them though, they’ve most likely left their run too late in the season. Their win over Fremantle in Perth was impressive nonetheless, toppling the Dockers by 52 points. Now six points adrift from the top eight, it seems unlikely they’ll find themselves in the eight, but if this season’s anything to go by, anything could happen!
14. Carlton
Why can’t Carlton travel? The Blues’ form on the road is very different to their form at home, and that was on full display in their 30-point loss to Brisbane at the Gabba. Carlton have lost three of their four interstate clashes this season and sees them sit 16th on the ladder with two more matches outside of Victoria to come.
15. Fremantle
The Dockers failed to impress on Saturday night, falling victim to the Hawks at home. Lachie Neale and Nat Fyfe were solid by not as elite as they usually are, and when those two are down, it’s never good for the Dockers.
17. Gold Coast
Gary Ablett missed the clash against the Bulldogs on Saturday, and it certainly didn’t help his side who lost by 54 points. The trouble continues for Rodney Eade who appears destined to part ways with the Suns following another tough result. Whether the parties split before the end of the season is yet to be seen, but it could be a long road back for the Suns who have failed to impress since they entered the competition.
