AFL Power Rankings: Round 23
1. Cats
The Cats stole second spot on the ladder off the Giants after they defeated GWS by 44 points at Simonds Stadium. Still without skipper Joel Selwood, it was Geelong’s lower tier players who stood up to the task and led their side to the win. The likes of Menegola and Scott Selwood starred, and if they can repeat their efforts this September, could well be the difference between a premiership and heartbreak.
2. Adelaide
Without the bookends of Taylor Walker and Daniel Talia, there wasn’t too much the Crows had to play for on Sunday afternoon given they had already secured top spot. It was evident the Crows weren’t keen to get injured during the match, and as a result they were defeated by 27 points. Don’t let this result effect your predictions for Adelaide, who will be a force to be reckoned with this September.
3. GWS
The Giants fell from second to fourth off the back of their loss on Saturday night, and as a result will be forced to travel to Adelaide to play in the first qualifying final. Veterans Stevie J and Heath Shaw failed to meet their usually lofty standards, and for the former, could spell the end of this career.
4. Tigers
Richmond’s win earned the Tigers a double chance heading into September, and means they will tackle the Cats in their first final. As always Dustin Martin was superb, this time with 36 disposals and two goals, and veteran Shaun Grigg also starred with a trifecta of goals and 24 touches. Keep your eye on the red-hot Tigers over the next month, because they could run an absolute muck!
5. Swans
The Swans were locked in sixth heading into the final round, but that didn’t stop them from putting the Blues to the sword, defeating the visitors by 81 points. Buddy Franklin was phenomenal, with the star forward kicking ten majors and earning himself his fourth Coleman Medal. Despite not having a second chance, Sydney look almost certain to progress into the second week of finals given they will face Sydney at the SCG.
6. Power
Port Adelaide kept the Suns to their lowest ever score in their seven year history in what was an absolute domination by the Power. Sam Gray and Charlie Dixon, who combined for ten of their side’s 20 goals, highlighted the 115-point victory. Port Adelaide will remain at home in the first week of finals, hosting the Eagles at Adelaide Oval in what is a good opportunity to progress further into September.
7. Bombers
Essendon’s finals chances looked touch-and-go for a split second there on Sunday afternoon, after the Dockers got within eight points of the Dons in the fourth quarter. The win, in addition to a number of other results, saw the Bombers jump up to seventh a means they will have to travel to Sydney in a fortnight’s time to tackle the in-form Swans. Essendon will need their stars to be at their very best if they are any chance to cause an upset.
8. Eagles
It will go down as one of West Coast’s greatest ever results and it was the perfect way to farewell Subiaco Oval, a ground that has served the Eagles so well over the years. Melbourne’s loss left the door ajar for West Coast to sneak into the eight, but it meant the Eagles had to win by approximately 20 points, and that is exactly what they did! The 29-point victory over the ladder-leading Crows saw the home side scrape into the eight by 0.5%, much to the delight of their loyal fans. It’s unlikely they’ll cause much damage in September, but hey, you never know!
9. Hawks
The Hawks farewelled veteran Luke Hodge in style on Friday night, defeating the Western Bulldogs by nine points in an emotional match. The win saw Hawthorn ruin the party for retiring Bulldogs Matthew Boyd and Bob Murphy, who despite their best efforts, couldn’t go out on a high. The game also marked the end of Hawthorn’s 2017 season.
10. Demons
It was nothing but heartbreak for Melbourne fans this weekend, after their side slipped out of the top eight thanks to their loss to Collingwood on Saturday afternoon, and West Coast’s win the following day. All the Dees had to do was defeat the 13th placed Magpies and they were playing finals footy, but it wasn’t to be after they fell victim to the Pies by 16 points.
